6 Common Logo Design Errors to Avoid for Your Business

While your brand is more than just your logo, that single graphic can be the starting point for telling your brand story. It’s often a customer’s first introduction to your brand and should represent who you are and what you do quickly. You don’t need a professional to get a good logo, but if you’re designing it yourself, you need to be aware of common logo design errors that can keep you from a great result. Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating a design you already have, remember these tips when designing business logos.

1. Too Detailed

A critical error people make when designing logos is trying to include everything in there. This might involve super detailed art or including your slogan and establishment year along with an image. Too much makes it difficult for customers to process what you’re trying to say and remember any of it.

A cluttered logo can also be difficult to read, especially when you have to make it small for a website or a business card.

2. Too Abstract

In the same way, too many details can muddy the waters; going in the direction of too much simplicity can leave customers scratching their heads. Simple can be memorable, but it still needs to be clear in the story it tells about your business.

3. Font Selection

The fonts you choose play a huge role in the feel of your logo. Some give off a formal vibe, while others show a fun and casual side. Amateur logos often mix too many different ones or choose decorative fonts for logos that can be difficult to read.

4. Color Choices

Color psychology is the reason big corporations choose the colors they do, and you should pay close attention as well. Too many colors can be garish, so unless your logo is a rainbow, consider keeping it to two max. The right colors for logos can communicate specific things like red for energy for blue for calm.

5. One Version

Your logo needs variety, and not just in the design. This graphic will be used in a lot of different places, and what works on a business card might not fit correctly on a bumper sticker. You might need a horizontal version for logo website placement but a square version for a social media avatar.

You also need different file types because what works online won’t give you a good result when printing.

6. Copycat

It’s fine to look at other companies when trying to come up with logo design ideas. But you want to make sure yours has a unique look and story to tell. Something too close to a competitor’s logo or even a company in a different industry can create confusion for everyone.

If you’re starting with logo templates, make sure you’re working with one that isn’t already all over.

Learn to Avoid Common Logo Design Errors

A logo is a key element in your company’s branding, so you want to make sure it’s done well. Avoiding the common logo design errors listed here can help you achieve a more professional result without having to rely on or pay for a professional to do the work. Focus on communicating your story and keeping the result easily readable.

If you found this article helpful, check out others on our site related to business branding and marketing issues.