First things first, we need to distinguish that your website and logo do not your equal brand.
That being said, your logo is vital to your business because it communicates ownership, quality, and values. It’s stamped on your products, your business card, website, social media, and most importantly, in the minds of your clients.
Your logo is likely to be one of the first interactions people have with your company. It’s your opportunity to make a solid first impression, stand apart from the competition, show you deliver quality service, and visually express your purpose. So, let’s explore in more detail why a good logo is crucial for your small business.
Understand the difference between brand and logo.
Your brand is the perception people have of your company or the experience they have with your business. Branding is the strategy created to build your brand, and brand identity is the tangible expression of your brand. These things include:
- Typography
- Color pallet
- Packaging
- Messaging
They are all things that complement and reinforce the existing reputation of a brand.
Brand identity attracts new customers to a brand while making existing customers feel at home.
[Need help building your brand identity? Download our brand identity kit today!]
What is a logo, and what makes it a good one?
A logo is a combination of text and imagery that tells people the name of your small business and creates a visual symbol representing your vision. A good logo is many things, but it should do the following:
- Be memorable.
- Differentiate you from everyone else.
- Foster brand loyalty.
How does it do these things? It has meaning built within it. Why? Because your businesses’ core values, purpose, mission, and vision are what your brand is built around. That’s what people tell their friends about, not your logo. What people really care about is their experience as a whole and what your brand is advocating. Good design not only looks professional on the surface, but it also signifies something deeper.
Why does your small business need a quality logo?
A good logo tells potential clients who you are, what you do, and how that benefits them. A well-designed logo builds trust and gets people to come back. It communicates to people with no prior knowledge or experience with your business that you do great work.
If your logo looks unprofessional, people may question how well you can deliver your products and services. Have you ever hit the back button or chose one company over another simply because they look more legit? People make quick judgments, and poor design can push people to leave.
Cultivate a solid logo to stand out to consumers, ensure they remember your brand and create positive associations with you. Logos have symbolic associations connected to people’s memories and emotions, so invest in a quality logo design.
How to create a good logo.
A small business logo needs to be straightforward, easy to interpret, and quickly connect with your audience. It’s essential to keep your logo simple, so it works across multiple media platforms and is effective at any size.
Unlike large companies, most small brands don’t have years of brand recognition that people associate your business with or a huge marketing budget to help consumers understand what your business does. So, your logo needs to communicate who you are and what you do in an instant.
From concept to the final roll-out, there’s much to consider when putting your business into a single mark. However, a great small business logo only needs three things:
- Great typography.
- Simple but eye-catching colors.
- And a vital visual element.
Design matters, and you do need it! Especially if you want people to give you money and tell the world about you. When you invest in your branding, you empower your small business to thrive.
Have a question about branding or logo design or need a professional logo designed for your small business? Get in touch with the Sage Island graphic design team today!
