OK, you know why you need a logo, but your start-up budget doesn’t allow for hiring graphic and website designers, what do you do next?
Start by asking yourself:
How do I design my logo and add it to my website?
You do it by learning what types of logos there are, and what elements make up a logo, how to put them together so they work, and how to add it to your theme.
And that’s what this article is going to tell you.
Start by choosing your logo type
There are three types of logo designs you can use:
Combination marks
Over 70% of the logos you see every day are combination marks, made up of an icon, and either a word or a slogan.
They are favored because they simultaneously advertise both company name and symbol, enforcing the connection of the two with the viewer; they are also suitable for logotype to use on your WordPress website.
But, as it is a combined logo, designing one is a little more challenging and requires research into the method of harmoniously bringing text and pictures together. You can also avail the services of a logo maker to do the job for you.
Icon marks
These types of logos are generally used by well-established and globally known brands. Think of Apple, Nike, and McDonald’s, you don’t always see the name but you know who the logo represents.
Designing this style of logo is the domain of experienced designers that can capture the essence of a company’s brand by using just a single image—due to the reasons just mentioned they are not usually appropriate for a first-time logo.
Wordmark
IBM, Disney, eBay, all use wordmark logotypes. This technique uses uniquely designed fonts and colors to represent a brand without the need of an additional icon. It’s an excellent way of using a generic name and making it your own or for using an abbreviated version, for instance, International Business Machines (IBM) is quite memorable.
Relatable: Read guidelines on designing a great Facebook cover photo
Three elements you need to know when making a logo
1. Logo size
Your logo will be used in many places and in different sizes, and the simpler the design, the better it will scale for use throughout your branding campaigns.
But as we are talking about a logo for your website, clarity and speed of loading is most important.
- File format
Use a PNG format for a graphically designed logo as it compresses without affecting clarity, unlike a JPEG image. A PNG image will look better when used as a small header logo, and as it’s file is compressed, it will not slow down the loading time of your website.
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- Image pixels
WordPress processes your images in a way that prevents problems with pixel distortion by generating three additional sizes: Large, medium, and thumbnail. Your picture also remains in its original scale, providing you with multiple image options throughout your website.
2. Color
The rule of simplicity runs throughout the logo design process, and the color is of no exception.
Color speaks without words and conveys strong subliminal messages to the viewers. Choose ones that align with your business, your branding, and your target audience, also use no more than two colors to keep the design crisp and clean.
Alternate shading is an effective method for minimizing colors. A white background provides versatility; however, you can use a dark background with a lightly colored logo just as effectively.
3. Fonts
When first choosing a font type, consider how effectively it will scale, as it needs to be eligible for all marketing types. Next, you can think about style.
The same rules apply to the font as they did to color. It should align with your business, be attractive to your target market, and use no more than two fonts throughout your branding. Also think about abbreviation, as you might want to change your logo from a combination mark to a wordmark at a later stage.
Making a logo and adding it to your WordPress theme
You have three choices when making your logo.
DIY
To do this, you will need a basic level of logo design knowledge, a graphic editor like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Try to create multiple iterations before you settle on the logo you like, and show friends and family to make sure that the message of your brand is coming across through the logo. Also, bear in mind that you’ll need several file types (EPS for offline printing, PNG or SVG for your WordPress site, etc.).
Hire a designer
If you can afford to outsource at this stage, go for it! There are a number of websites—like Fiverr and Upwork—that let you choose from a range of designers based on your budget and their skill level. Or, you can run a design contest on a site like Dribble; you’d submit your design brief and deadline and have to wait a few days for the designs to pour in. If you find one you love, you can pay the designer who created it and make it yours.
Also read my review of one of the top freelance marketplace here
Use a logo design tool
Online logo tools are the preferred choice of most new website owners, as you get the best of both worlds at an affordable price. Most of these platforms only take 5 minutes to use, and you come out with a logo that’s tailored to your preferences. You can use a tool to take an idea you have and conjoin it with a database packed with different design techniques, colors, fonts, and styles, all proven to work in your marketplace, and design a logo that’s ready to upload onto your WordPress site within a couple of hours.
How to add your logo to your WordPress theme
Now the easy part.
Some WordPress themes have slightly different back end setups and the process may vary a little from one to the next. But overall, it is straightforward to do that. If what I describe doesn’t work for your theme, go to WordPress support to find out more.
1. Log into your WordPress control panel.
2. Open Appearances.
3. Select theme options.
4. Click on Upload a logo.
5. Click “to select image” button
6. Click save options.
Wrapping up!
Now you know what the steps to designing and uploading your logo are, your next job is to put them together in a way that represents the personality of your brand and resonates with your target audience.
To help yourself gain a deeper understanding of what is going to work for your business, spend time researching brands within your niche and the social networks that your potential customers hang out on. These will help you narrow down your design choices by giving you a better understanding of what’s already working in your market.
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Wonderful Article!