Think of any major company and most times, the first thing that will pop into your mind is the logo. The golden arches of McDonalds, Target’s red bullseye, the iconic Nike swoosh are just a few that most of us know well and would recognize even if the name of the company wasn’t attached. And while your brand isn’t just about your logo, it is the first impression most consumers have with your company which makes it a foundational part of your branding.
If you do a quick Google search for logos, you will find countless services that will allow you to make your own logo or that will sell you a logo on the cheap. Sounds like a great idea for something you know you have to have, right? Wrong. Here are the top 3 reasons why a DIY logo just won’t cut it.
- It’s just too important – Although handmade thank you cards are all the rage, a logo that lacks the professional touch of a designer runs the risk of branding your company as fake news.
- Copyright Laws – On average it takes about 10 months to copyright a logo and it’s difficult to do a search on every logo out there. And since those logo in a box services are so cheap, everyone gets the same options which means the odds of someone having something just like yours are pretty high.
- Design Files – Unless you are a designer or have some help from a professional marketer, it’s unlikely that you know all the file types and sizes that you will need. So while you can download DIY logo for $15, you won’t have the size variations and file types that you need to use that logo on your sign, t-shirts, fleet vehicles and social media (all of which need something different).
And if you don’t believe us about how important a logo is, just take it from the big boys who have learned this lesson the hard way. For example, when Gap changed their logo in 2010, they lost $100 Million in just SIX days.
So, don’t get caught in the trap of trying to cut corners or costs and instead find a professional who can help you tell your customers who you are with a logo fit for your brand. Contact Wolf Designs today to work with one our designers who can help you bring your brand to life.
“Logos are a graphic extension of the internal realities of a company” – Saul Bass
