Best Logo Design

Crowdsourcing platforms vs. logo design companies

Crowdsourced design 

Several websites have created vast networks of freelancers. People seeking design help can post their project or request through the crowdsourcing platform and receive bids from freelancers on the website. The quality produced by the freelancers varies, as do the costs.

Many of these websites make the logo design process a design contest.

Here's how it works:

1. The client seeking a logo design must set a monetary prize and a deadline.
2. The individual can provide feedback on the designs they receive and request edits.
3. Once they select a winning design, the designer gets the prize.

Each website has different payment requirements and conditions. Be sure to understand the specifics of any money-back guarantee and what you are paying for. Also consider that while a logo design contest may be a cheap way to receive dozens of logo concepts, designers have raised ethical concerns about this method of freelancing because contest losers typically receive no compensation for their time and effort.

Design agencies 

Logo design companies, on the other hand, have a team of in-house designer pros who will work on your project. In-house design companies usually have more consistent design standards and there is more opportunity for back and forth communication for change requests.

Look at the design company’s portfolio to get a sense of the level of quality it provides. Pricing is often higher with a one-stop-shop, but you get what you pay for, which may include extensive branding help beyond the logo itself: web design, social templates, swag design, and even marketing consulting. 

How to choose a logo designer

When choosing a logo designer — whether it be a freelance graphic designer or a company — consider service and product offerings, final product rights, and costs and money-back guarantees.

Service and product offerings

In addition to designing logos, many offer the following additional products and services:

• Logo design software
• Website design and updates
• Brochure and flyer design
• Stationery design
• Business card design
• Social media visual design

When considering a logo design company, consider your business’s current needs and future needs.

• Do you need stationery and business cards in addition to a logo?
• Will you need help with fliers and brochures for company events in the future?
• What visuals will you need for your social media strategy? 
• Does your product need packaging design?

It's important to consider what other services you may need so you can have consistent branding throughout your marketing channels. A client should choose a company that can help them create a consistent brand. Logo design companies that can provide a range of design services may be helpful to those who don't have their own hired designers.

Logo design tools

Some companies offer free logo design software, which can be beneficial for businesses on an extremely tight budget.

Other companies have pre-designed templates that users can customize. Customizing the logo's text, font, and color scheme with the online tool is typically free. To be able to use it and have the rights to it, businesses must purchase it. These logos are often cheaper than working with a professional designer. The other advantage is that each of the templates is professionally designed. 

For a specialized, high-quality, original product, it’s best to consult with a design team.

Many design companies have a portfolio of past work. Looking at the portfolio will give you a better sense of a company’s design style and quality. You can then see if it is similar to what you are looking for.

Final product rights

Your new logo will be plastered all over the place. It will appear on your company’s website, on labels, and in advertising. Some logo design companies may request that you credit them by linking to their website as you use your logo. 

Most logo design companies give their clients the copyright to the logo, but it’s a good idea to check to be sure. It’s especially worth understanding how the rights of the logo work because you may want to register or trademark it.

Costs and money back-guarantees

Logo design companies will often either work with a project-based system or a package system. A few also charge hourly rates. Check to see what packages are available at a company. Compare these package offerings and prices to those of other logo companies to figure out the best value for your budget constraints.

If you have a unique project in mind, contact several companies to explain what you are looking for and ask them for a quote.

Costs vary based on project or package purchased. Some companies offer unlimited revisions during the design process. Others only have one round of revisions. Some logo design companies charge an additional fee for revisions requested after the approval of the logo.

Some logo design companies ask to be paid upfront before they do any work. Many of these companies also have a money-back guarantee if you don’t like their work. Pay attention to the terms of the money-back guarantee. It may only be applicable to the initial designs. Once you’ve entered the revision stage, it no longer applies. 

The money-back-guarantee may also have an administration fee applied, which means that you won’t get the entire amount back. Double-check the terms so that you know what to expect.