25th Sep 2007
Sucessful Businesses Need Identity and a Logo
Why Small Businesses Need Both A Logo And An Identity System
by: Erin Ferree
Why Small Businesses Need both a Logo and an Identity System
Experts urge small business owners to “brand” their business
to use a logo and a set of consistent marketing materials. But, they rarely go into the reasons behind this advice. Here’s a list of some of the benefits to having a professionally designed logo and marketing package:
Not to look so small
Home-printed business cards with perforated edges, or cards printed with standard designs available through Microsoft software or online business card vendors (like Vistaprint) scream, “Small-time vendor!” to your potential clients – and you’ll be similarly compensated.
To increase your chance of getting venture capital or selling a business
If you present a thorough business package, including marketing materials and graphics, your business will look more complete.
To attract more clients
Some clients look for a well-defined company look-and-feel as part of their qualifiers for making a purchasing decision.
To brand yourself
If you’re a consultant, you need a logo in order to build an image and a brand that’s bigger than just yourself.
To convey that you are established
A logo and professionally printed materials show that you are committed to both your business and to your clients.
To give clients a sense of stability
You may not have been in business “Since 1908”, but if you’ve invested in an identity, you’re much less likely to fold in the eyes of your customers. It goes a long way toward building the all-important “trust” factor.
To be more memorable
Forty percent of people better remember what they see better than what they hear or read. So having graphics associated with your business and having consistent graphics on your business materials make you more likely to come to the forefront of potential clients’ minds when they have a need for your goods or services.
To explain your company name
If your company name contains a little-known word or an acronym, the logo gives visual clues to its meaning.
To endear your company name to your clients
A difficult-to-pronounce or -remember company name may make it difficult for your clients to hire you. When potential clients have the need for your services, they can’t recall who you are! But if you reinforce the name with interesting, compelling graphics, they’re more likely to remember that hard-to-recall name, and to pick up the phone and hire you.
To explain an unusual line of business
If your business is nontraditional, or in a hard-to-explain industry, a logo can help to explain exactly what it is that you do.
To show what practices differentiate you from your competition
A well-designed logo can have many subtle meanings, and it can begin to tell the story of how you do business – what special practices make you stand apart from the competition.
To stand out in your field
A well-designed logo and an identity system can put you far above the competition, especially if they are paired with a strong marketing program.
In some industries, a logo is just expected
In the creative services industry, especially, having a logo is an industry standard.
Lastly, do it for yourself!
To show your commitment and for the sense of personal pride it will add to your practice.
These are just some of the benefits of having a professionally designed logo. If your business could use the kind of boost that having a logo provides, then contact us today for a free estimate!
Copyright 2005, elf design. All Rights Reserved
About The Author
Erin Ferree is a logo, print and web designer who has been making it easy for small businesses to stand out and to be visible, credible and memorable for the past nine years.
Tags: Logo, creating logo, company logos, type of logo, logo types, logo online, real estate branding, manufacturer emblems
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A good logo comes from a type of mindful inscribing that you want to last in the mind of your viewers for a long, long time. So how do you create a truly great logo? Think about company letterheads, company brochures, advertising or any other exposure plan you may have. They are all vehicles that will transport your logo to the recipient. […]Bodacious write up talking about Sucessful Businesses Need Identity and a Logo! I love your interesting posts!