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The Common Elements of an Effective Logo

Your logo can be anything you want it to be. Whether you want your logo to consist of your business name, the initials of your business, or even your mascot, it’s entirely up to you. However, no matter what color, style, or type of logo you choose, you want it to be effective.

There’s nothing more representative of your business than your logo. It will be on every aspect of your marketing, including every page of your website. That’s why, before you start building your own website with the Websites 360® website builder, you need to nail down your logo.

In yesterday’s blog, I went over a few tips on how to design a logo for your business. If you haven’t had a chance yet, check it out.

With so many different types of logos out there to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out what will work best for you. But above all else, you want your logo to be effective, and although there are all kinds of logos out there, there are several things that the most effective ones have in common.

5 Things All Great Logos Have in Common

#1. Relevancy

A logo that’s truly effective will be relevant to the brand at hand, and yours should concisely represent your business and clearly communicate your identity. When people see your logo, they should be able to get a good idea of what you do and who you are.

When designing your logo, you want an option that tells your audience exactly who you are speaking to. Start by considering broader categories, such as gender and age groups, and from there, narrow it down into more specific categories, like hobbies, values, and education level.

While it’s important that you design a logo that stands out from the crowd, it’s best not to get too complicated with the design. You want your logo to be relevant to your audience and for them to be able to connect with it, which is why it’s important not to get too out of the box when designing a unique logo for your brand.

#2. Simplicity

Your logo should be able to communicate your message clearly and simply. Simplicity is a crucial design element for your logo — as well as for your website, as I discussed in a previous blog. Think about some of the most famous, recognizable logos out there, like Amazon, Pepsi, Beats, Nike, and Mcdonald’s. While they’re all very different; they’re also incredibly simple and effective.

People have incredibly short attention spans these days, particularly when we’re talking about the attention span of internet users. In fact, the average internet user doesn’t even have the attention span of a goldfish, which is why your logo needs to be communicative as quickly as possible.

#3. Versatility

As I mentioned, your logo will be used on almost every piece of marketing material you release, from emails to your Facebook page, and it should also be displayed on every single page of your website. With so many different uses for one logo, you need it to be versatile.

The last thing that you want is a logo that can only be displayed in one size and in one setting. Your logo should look great regardless of whether it’s big or small, and no matter what kind of marketing material it will be used on. Additionally, it’s essential that you choose a logo that’s versatile enough to use in a variety of colors.

It doesn’t matter if your logo is being used on a billboard, a direct mail postcard, or on your website, it needs to be versatile enough to look great no matter what.

#4. Memorability

The most effective logos are the ones that people remember, even with only a limited amount of exposure to them. It’s imperative that your logo can effectively make a connection with your audience, and when it does, they will remember it.

The more memorable your logo is, the more memorable your brand will be, as well. It can take an average of seven exposures with your brand for a new consumer to start trusting it, but if your logo and brand are memorable, it will take far fewer exposures for consumers to start trusting you.

How do you make a memorable logo? If your logo looks like everyone else’s in your industry, it won’t be memorable. In order to make your logo stick in the minds of consumers, you’ll want to make it unique.

#5. Timelessness

Your logo should be representative of your brand, and it can take time in order for your logo to really start sticking. The last thing that you want is to have to update an old-fashioned logo, because it essentially means starting over with your brand identity. That’s why you need a timeless logo that will last for decades.

Every so often, new brands flock to the latest logo trends, but it’s important not to get on the bandwagon. Trends come and go, and although choosing a trend can be a great option if it applies to your brand, the last thing you want is to use a trend just because it’s trendy. Trends have an expiration date, but an effective logo will stand the test of time.

When you’re in the process of designing your logo, try not to even look at the trends, and instead, focus on what works and what truly represents your brand.

Having an effective logo is the first step toward designing a great website for your business. Not only will you use your logo throughout your site, but having a logo will also help you make important design decisions for your website, including what colors and fonts to use.

Need an effective logo? Learn about how the creative team at Marketing 360® can help. Already have an effective logo? Start building your own website today!