You’re starting a new business. How do you create a logo that will make it stand out?

1 Know your brand

Before you start sketching or choosing colors, you need to have a clear idea of what your brand is about, who your customers are, and what you want to convey. Think about your mission, vision, values, goals, and unique selling proposition. What makes your business different and appealing? How do you want to be perceived by your potential customers? What emotions do you want to evoke? Write down some keywords, phrases, or concepts that describe your brand and use them as a guide for your logo design.

2 Research your market

Another important step is to research your market and your competitors. Look at the logos of other businesses in your industry or niche and analyze what works and what doesn't. What are the common trends, styles, symbols, fonts, and colors? How can you differentiate yourself from them and avoid copying or confusing your audience? What are the expectations and preferences of your customers? How can you appeal to them and stand out? Use online tools, such as Google Trends, to find out what people are searching for and what keywords are relevant to your business.

3 Choose your style

Once you have a solid understanding of your brand and your market, you can start exploring different logo styles and decide which one suits your business best. There are many types of logos, such as wordmarks, lettermarks, pictorial marks, abstract marks, mascots, emblems, and combinations. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your business name, industry, and message. For example, a wordmark logo can be simple and elegant, but it may not be very distinctive or memorable. A pictorial mark can be iconic and expressive, but it may not be clear or relevant to your business. A combination logo can be versatile and descriptive, but it may not be easy to scale or reproduce. Consider the pros and cons of each style and choose the one that reflects your brand personality and values.

5 Select your fonts

The fonts of your logo can also influence how your business is perceived and remembered. Different fonts can convey different moods, tones, and personalities, depending on the shape, size, and style. For example, serif fonts can indicate tradition, elegance, or authority; sans serif fonts can imply modernity, simplicity, or clarity; script fonts can express creativity, elegance, or emotion. To create a logo that will make your business stand out, you need to select fonts that are legible, distinctive, and compatible with your brand identity and message. Use online tools, such as Google Fonts, to find and compare fonts that suit your style and purpose.

6 Test your logo

The final step is to test your logo and see how it looks and performs in different situations and platforms. You need to make sure that your logo is clear, recognizable, and adaptable to various sizes, formats, and backgrounds. You also need to get feedback from your target audience and see how they react and respond to your logo. Do they understand what your business is about? Do they like your logo? Do they remember your logo? Use online tools, such as UsabilityHub, to test and improve your logo design.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?