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How Much Does A Logo Really Cost?

ARTICLE BY

TIA JACKSON

The first question people ask when they think about branding their business is, “How much does a logo cost?” There’s no easy way to answer that question, because the price of a logo really depends on you. Obviously you can’t just roll into any design firm and tell them how much you are going to pay–but there are different logo design options for every budget and style. While having tons of design options puts the ball in your court, it’s not always easy to decide which path is best for you.

There are many important factors entrepreneurs must consider when choosing a vendor to create the perfect logo for their business. To narrow down your design options, and to find out how much your logo should really cost, ask yourself the following questions:

1. How professional do you want your logo to be? If you are just looking for something fast, and are not really concerned with having a professionally crafted symbol to represent your company, then you can probably get a logo for under $200. There are tons of online services and amateur designers who use clipart images to piece together cookie-cutter logos. If you’re looking for a cheap design, and are not too concerned with having a unique look, then it might make sense to do it yourself or check out one of these online clipart options. If you’re ideal logo price is $200, don’t even think about wasting any professional designer’s time. Graphic designers who have studied their craft and have years of professional experience will charge anywhere from $75 to $250 per hour. And, you definitely want a designer to spend at least five hours creating an original logo design that reflects the essence of your brand and immediately gets your business the respect it deserves.

2. How long do you want to be in business? Any entrepreneur who does not see the value in getting a professionally designed logo, needs to rethink their reason for going into business. If you’re not willing to do what it takes to set your company apart, and send a clear signal that you’re a polished professional, then you won’t be in business very long. Here’s a simple rule of thumb– take the number of year’s you’d like to be in business and multiply that number by $100… The result is the absolute least amount you should spend on your logo. If you want to be in business for ten years, make sure your logo costs more than a thousand bucks, and keep amateurs far away from your design. When looking for a logo designer you can separate amateur designers from the professionals by asking about their professional training, their logo portfolio, their references, and their price. You can always spot an amateur when the logo cost is too good to be true. Experienced designers know their worth, so prepare to get what you pay for.

3. How much value do you place on service? The thought of getting quality service from your logo designer may not cross your mind until it’s too late. The overall process seems pretty straight forward, so it’s hard for most people to anticipate having complications. But, innocent entrepreneurs get scammed every day by unprofessional graphic designers who don’t hold up their end of the bargain. We hear logo horror stories all the time about designers who disappear with their client’s money, who take forever to finish a logo, and who never send the final logo files in the format the client needs. Know who you are dealing with and make sure the designer you choose places a special emphasis on customer service. Again, ask for references and listen to your gut. If the designer is not responsive or easily accessible in the beginning he probably won’t be easy to track down after he gets your money. A designer or design firm that is known for its quality service may cost a bit more than others, but isn’t your sanity worth it? The logo design process doesn’t have to drive you crazy. Since it’s your choice, choose to work with people who will make your life easier.

4. What type of logo are you looking for? When creating your brand identity, it’s important to find a designer who gets you, and understands the messages you want to convey with your logo. Just because someone may have the technical ability to design a logo, doesn’t mean they have the creativity and intuitive ability to interpret the meaning of your brand. That is a unique skill in itself. Designers have different strengths and weaknesses so look for a designer who has experience working with brands like yours. Specialized expertise, intricate designs, complicated illustrations and other requests beyond the scope of a standard logo may cost more, but if it makes sense for your brand, then go for it. In our opinion, clean, timeless and sophisticated logos work best, but again– the choice is yours.

There are so many talented designers out there who can help you create the perfect logo for your business. Ask around for references, use the tips above to narrow down your options, and stay committed during the logo design process to make sure your graphic designer gives you what you need. Your logo is the face of your business, it tells the story of who you are, and is the easiest way for someone to judge your company’s worth. Don’t rush past this critical branding step, and don’t take the easy way out. A quality logo can cost an entrepreneur anywhere from $500 to $5000, but the amount you pay is really up to you. Give your business the best chance to succeed, by choosing your logo designer wisely.