Comment créer un logo pour mon entreprise ?

You’re a small business owner and you want to create a logo for your company. Maybe you’re not a graphic designer but you want to give it a try, and you worry about the cost a branding agency could charge you. We get it - at the start of a business, budgets are limited, and financial decisions need to be strategic. But what if there was more than what you think behind a “simple logo”?

Indeed, a logo may seem easy to create, but it often carries more meaning - and purpose - than you might think. Your logo is often the first thing your clients notice about your brand. And speaking of first impressions, did you know that in business, 80-90% of clients’ initial judgments about credibility, trustworthiness, and reliability are made in the first few seconds? And that 75% of people stick to their initial judgment even after receiving new information?

This shows just how important first impressions are.

“Your logo is often the first thing your clients notice about your brand.”

So, how do I create a good first impression with my logo?

You create a unique, memorable logo that sets you apart from the competition, tells your story, attracts clients and builds a positive brand image. Easy right? Maybe not! But we’re here to help, whether you’re willing to invest in your business or just want to explore free options.

How to Create a Logo for Free

Most people start the free logo creation process by looking for the best websites, tools or software to use. But this is like opening a store before even knowing what you are going to sell! Instead, try following these steps one by one:

1. Answer Key Questions About Your Business

Many small businesses skip this step, but a meaningful logo deeply reflects your business: it takes into account your vision, mission, goals and positioning. This is part of your branding.

Before starting logo design, make sure you can answer some key branding questions about your business.

To get started, grab our free guide
“14 essential questions that every business owner should answer”

2. Gather Inspiration

Go on Google, Pinterest, Behance, Dribbble, or any other websites you like and get inspired. Save your favorite examples for reference later.

3. Do Some Research

Do you know who your competitors are? Gather as much information as you can about your competition so that your logo can stand out rather than blend in.

4. Brush Up on Basic Graphic Design Concepts

Yes, really. Learning the basics of typography, color theory, composition and layout is a step that will differentiate your logo from others’. Graphic designers use all of these concepts to create quality designs, and so should you, if you want to create a professional image for your business!

“Learn the basics of graphic design to make a unique logo.”

5. Choose and Familiarize Yourself with Tools

Try out tools like Canva, Looka, and Hatchful, and understand both their features and limitations.

6. Start Designing (But Use Templates with Caution)
Gather your ideas and create one or a few logo versions. Some free tools offer templates and free logo generators, but keep in mind that these often lack customization and originality, leading to logos that look generic. Consider aspects such as scalability and versatility on different formats.

7. Get Professional Feedback:

Instead of only asking friends and family, consider getting feedback from a professional. An expert’s honest opinion can offer you real value, constructive criticism, and tips for improvement that come from a problem solving approach.

Salt&Sun Studio currently offers free brand audits.
We will tell you:

• 3 ways you can make your brand stronger

• How these changes can help your business

• 3 simple actionable steps you can do to improve fast

8. Launch and Test!

Make any adjustments if necessary, then test your logo on your website, social media, and other relevant platforms.

If This Feels Like a Hassle

Creating a logo can take time, effort, and even some iterations to get it right. You want to make sure your logo and brand identity look professional and leave an impact on your customers (remember what we said about first impressions?).

And you know what they say, we often get what we pay for. If you want a logo that really is unique and professional, that attracts your target clients and differentiates you from the competition, you might consider investing in professional brand design.

“If this feels like a hassle, you might consider investing in professional brand design.”

Why Hire a Graphic Designer?

Investing in a graphic designer or even a branding agency will optimize the quality and effectiveness of your brand’s image. After all, they’re experts in their field! Here are the benefits of hiring a design professional to create your company’s logo:

• You Save Time:
  As a business owner, you probably have other things to worry about than designing logos, right? Right. Hiring a professional gives you time to work on other crucial aspects of your business, rather than spending it all on design tasks.

• You Save Money:
  A strong brand is a long term investment that helps you avoid costly rebrands or confusing visuals in the future. A designer's experience can mean fewer revisions, ensuring your brand is right the first time.

“A strong brand is a long term investment that helps you avoid costly rebrands or confusing visuals in the future.”

• You Build a Solid Foundation:
  A competent graphic designer studio or agency will guide you through the branding process, defining everything from brand positioning to your unique visual style. This foundation work helps your brand establish consistency and trust from the start.

• You Get More Than Just a Logo:
  A professional graphic designer will get you an entire branding kit, not just a logo. These typically include a logo suite, but also other key components of your brand, such as color palettes, a typography selection, and brand guidelines showing you how to use your new brand.

Remember: Getting only a logo is like having a house without a foundation — pretty on the outside but lacks the supporting structure that holds your brand together.

Conclusion

So, while DIY logo-making might seem better due to lower initial costs, partnering up with a graphic design or agency is a smart investment that ensures that your brand has a cohesive, timeless identity that grows with your business. This investment builds long-term recognition and gives you a strategic advantage in attracting the right customers.

Just be sure to choose a graphic designer or branding agency that fits your needs: smaller studios often offer a more personal, human approach, and give you and your business all the attention you deserve!

Anyway, whether you choose to go the free or the investment way, we hope this article has been useful to you and your business!

Check out our checklist
“14 essential questions every business owner should answer”

And if you want an expert’s opinion,
book your free brand audit here:

See you soon,

Leonor