Small Business Guide - Small Business Resources
    (Add to Favorites  |  View All Articles  |  Resource Directory)

14 big reasons you need a logo and identity system for your business


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!

About the Author

Erin Ferree, Founder and Lead Designer of elf design, is a brand identity and graphic design expert. She has been helping small businesses grow with bold, clean and effective logo and marketing material designs for over a decade. elf design offers the comprehensive graphic and web design services of a large agency, with the one- on-one, personalized attention of an independent design specialist. Erin works closely in partnership with her clients to create designs that are visible, credible and memorable - and that tell their unique business stories in a clear and consistent way. For more information about elf design, please visit:

Logo design at http://www.elf-design.com


MORE RESOURCES:

News provided by Yahoo! News and Google News

Lt. Governor on pro-business legislation: 'We're on the cusp of changing our ... - Albuquerque Business First

Albuquerque Business First

Lt. Governor on pro-business legislation: 'We're on the cusp of changing our ...
Albuquerque Business First
Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez has seen his share of Santa Fe legislative sessions, but he thinks this year could be different. "I think we have a really good chance to pass meaningful legislation and change the culture of the state in terms of the ...

Pair launch equity crowdfunding platform for small-biz owners - Crain's Detroit Business

Crain's Detroit Business

Pair launch equity crowdfunding platform for small-biz owners
Crain's Detroit Business
MichiganFunders.com co-founders Niles Heron (left) and David Tessler hope to take advantage of new state crowdfunding laws that allow entrepreneurs to offer equity stakes. 411 on Equity Crowdfunding. Equity crowdfunding uses the principles of ...

and more »

Small Business Column: Time for Irish SMEs to take advantage
In this week’s Small Business column Kehlan Kirwan argues that there is government money on offer through grants and tenders and it’s high time for Irish SMEs to start ‘milking the system’.    

Judge tells American Express it can't bully small biz - Crain's New York Business

Crain's New York Business

Judge tells American Express it can't bully small biz
Crain's New York Business
Judge tells American Express it can't bully small biz. The court decision could give merchants more leverage to cut costs. Last week, Costco Wholesale Corp. and JetBlue Airways Corp. ended their relationship with AmEx. Article; Comments. Print; Email ...

and more »

Investors leading surge on small-biz loans - Insurance News Net

Investors leading surge on small-biz loans
Insurance News Net
And it's never been more fitting than it is when he's talking about the Short Hillsbased bank's business lending. "We made a commitment to increase our business lending back in 2012," he said. "It just happened to coincide with an improvement in the ...

and more »

Small Biz in a Digital Age: Analytics - Know Your Options - GoLocal Worcester

Small Biz in a Digital Age: Analytics - Know Your Options
GoLocal Worcester
The world of business is moving faster -- hyper fast. Small businesses face the challenge of trying to keep up and innovate their business to create an advantage. This week, GoLocal brings you a look at how to select where to get your analytics data ...

Small Biz Sentiment Slips In January - Advertising Specialty Institute (press release)

Advertising Specialty Institute (press release)

Small Biz Sentiment Slips In January
Advertising Specialty Institute (press release)
Weighed down by worries over inventories and investment, U.S. small businesses were less optimistic in January, according to a closely-watched survey released this week. New data from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) showed ...

SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard(R): Small Businesses on the Hunt for New Hires
Small businesses are undergoing a major change in their approach to hiring, according to February 2015 SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard. While a year ago their primary concern was the cost of salary ...

Home | Site Map | Privacy Statement | More Articles
© 2006