Choose a Logo to use for eCommerce Examples of 8 Mistakes to avoid

Whether you're just starting an eCommerce business, or thinking about a rebrand one of the primary aspects of this process is to create a high-quality, eye-catching logo that conveys your brand's message. Before you begin brainstorming your ideas, consider what factors go into an your logo's design, and also what design style is most appropriate for your brand and your target customers.

In this post we'll discuss the importance of logos, the eight kinds of logos, and some of the practical aspects like best practices for designing logos, software options to create them, as well as strategies for outsourcing design.

What is a logo?

While we could be pedantic on the meaning of "logo", the phrase is typically used for a clear design made up of words, imagery, or a combination of both to represent a brand or an organization.

The importance of logos

Your logo will help customers quickly and easily identify your company's brand, whether seeing your posts and ads on social media, browsing results on search engines, comparing products in the online marketplace, or purchasing directly from your website.

If you're looking for your e-commerce company to be noticed by your competition, a strong logo is vital. There are many online businesses competing for attention from customers You'll need to choose a professional, unique and memorable logo that's an accurate reflection of your brand.

A well-crafted logo is also important in creating credibility. Consider your most loved, trusted brands. The logos of their brands are likely to come to your mind. The mere sight of a specific color combination or shape might evoke the image of their brand.

Your logo will be an investment in your brand's success, so take time and energy to design a logo that communicates your company's image and appeals directly to the audience you intend to target.

The logos are of eight different types.

Logos usually fall into 8 different kinds:

• Wordmarks, logotypes,
• Brand mark, logomark or graphic
• Combination mark
• Dynamic logo
• Emblems
• Letterforms
• Lettermark, monogram
• Mascots

Wordmark/logotype

"Wordmark" as well as "logotype" are basically synonymous and both refer to"logotype" and "wordmark". They refer to a style that employs the use of typography generally the business name, or at least a part of the name of the business. The logos of these types often employ custom typography, making it unique to the brand.

The most well-known examples of a wordmark logo is Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola logo can be instantly recognized because of its iconic typography, which has not changed much over the last 130 years. L'oreal as well as eBay's logos are also examples of wordmarks or logotypes.

Brand mark, logomark or a pictorial

"Brand mark," "logomark," and "pictorial" are used for describing a visual component of a logo. It may also use letters or words in addition to imagery, but which does not include the brand's name. These marks can be symbolic such as the apple, bird, and Shell marks used by Apple, Twitter, and Shell Oil, or they could be more abstract, like the Atari and Dropbox trademarks.

The Atari mark hints at an A-shape, without being a letter and the Dropbox brand mark uses an array of carefully placed diamonds that create an abstract look of a box.

The combination mark

A combination mark can be described as the name of the business paired with an image-based mark. Most often, a business will employ the combination mark for all contexts but also use its brand mark and wordmark in different ways depending on the context.

Dynamic logos

Dynamic logos are flexible modern logos whose elements change in accordance with what the brand wants to convey in a specific use. Google is the most well-known example of this through the Google Doodles. Dynamic logos may be static, animated, or even interactive.

Google puts all three types to use in the Google Doodles series. The only thing that generally remains the same in each Doodle is that the name "Google" appears in a specific way. The rest of the design could alter.

For most brands, the Google strategy could not be the ideal choice, especially for those just looking to establish themselves. It may be difficult for customers who are looking to have multiple variations of the logo you've created that have drastically different style.

Keep in mind that Google is not able to apply this similar flexibility to all uses of its logo. Google Doodle is a trademark that can only be used on the Google Doodle is specifically used to advertise the Google Search landing page. In other places, they use their trademarked wordmark and brand mark.

If you're looking to design an exciting logo, consider thinking more in the direction of MTV.

In most situations, MTV uses the same logo design, however it uses distinct color schemes and may even include co-branding with other companies. The logo is easily identifiable as MTV However, the variance in the color and design could help people associate MTV with other concepts such as ideology, brands, or even concepts to evoke different emotions and continuously re-engage the viewers.

Emblems

The term "emblem" refers to a logo design that uses letters and imagery to create an integrated, singular logo. Emblems typically look similar to badges or emblems. This kind of design most often with sports teams, universities and automobile companies, but plenty of other companies use emblems for their emblems. Some companies such as Starbucks, Warner Bros., and Stella Artois all have emblem logos.

Letterforms

Letterforms utilize the initial letter, or sometimes the initials, of a brand to create a simple brand mark. Though they're generally less complicated than a monogram logo the letterform could also be monogram, as in the one above. New York Yankees letterform/monogram.

Lettermarks/monograms

Monogram or lettermark logos employ an acronym or initials for the company to create all or part of the design. Often the letters overlap to form a pattern or could be set onto the background.

Monograms were first used in early Greece as identifiers on coins, marking what city the coins were issued by. Later, they were used as signatures for those who had money and power as well as by craftsmen and artists.

Monograms are a part of a long tradition and are frequently used by fashion and beauty brands to convey an element of sophistication and heritage. But monograms are not exclusively used by these industries. Nearly every type of industry has made the use of monograms. They're a space-efficient and time-tested method of creating a logo, and are ideal for any type of business.

Mascot logos

Mascot logos make use of iconic characters that represent the company's corporate brand. Lacoste's alligator, Cheetos' Chester Cheetah, Reddit's fictional alien Snoo and KFC's Colonel Sanders, and Wendy's character, Wendy Thomas, are all famous examples of mascots that are used to create a corporate logo.

Mascots can highlight a brand persona, making the brand more relatable and casual. It is also possible to use them as creative elements in your marketing. The use of a mascot within a logo can be tricky because it is difficult to replace your mascot (see: Ronald McDonald) however it is it is difficult to get them out of the minds of consumers.

So you'll want to carefully look at your mascot's image and make sure it's on-brand and scalable according to the direction that you're planning on growing your business.

Seven tips for designing an appealing logo

The logo you choose to use is usually the first contact a potential customer has with your business. It should be memorable, recognizable as well as represent your brand identity, but there are established best practices in designing your logo to think about when deciding on your logo.

If your logo's design is striking and distinct, that does not mean it is a good design. Some of the most renowned names have seen certain doubtful logo launch events which led to criticism from the media.

Certain businesses rely on the old adage of "any publicity is great publicity." If your company's name is controversial, it is best to follow a few tried and true design tips to avoid ending up on a blog post on the most sloppy logos of all time.

Keep it simple

You may have heard the saying "less is more" - a phrase invented by the Minimalist designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1947. It gets thrown around often in the jargon of corporate communications and can sometimes be used as an excuse for simple design tasks. However, the concept of "less means more" is not to keep things plain and boring.

This is a way of thinking that emphasizes both aesthetic and function. Ultimately, the goal is to use as few elements as are necessary to convey the intended message and supply the required function, while simultaneously creating an aesthetically-pleasing appearance.

This is an essential aspect when designing logos because the design should be simple for viewers to comprehend. The design should allow you to place it on backgrounds with different colors and textures, make it adaptable to various spaces and aspect ratios, and use it in a variety of sizes without it becoming complicated or confusing.

It doesn't mean you have to go with simple logo designs, either. The concept can be used to any style of logo - modern, traditional old-fashioned, retro, or even any other style of design that is trendy and modern.

Use a style that reflects your brand as well as your intended audience

If your business produces vintage or antique items, you might want to go with design elements that are retro and is reminiscent of the time the brand is a part of.

As an example, Big Chill appliances use a vintage-styled typographic logo inspired by vintage emblems of appliances from the 1930s-1960s.

The logo for Trader Joe's is a 1960s tiki art vibe, and Ben and Jerry's is a playful and fun 1970s vibe that is in line with their brand style. Altoids' serif font logo featuring a gold embossed look along the edges provides it with an elegant and timeless appearance.

Jack Daniels whiskey has not substantially changed their brand logo since 1947, and it is still like its pre-Prohibition era logo. Contrary to brands like Levi Strauss that massively changed their logos over the course of time, Jack Daniels has only changed their logo through time, bringing back to people of the brand's extensive history.

If you're a business that sells software as a service (SaaS), offers technology-based products, or has a logo that's clean easy to read and simple You may want to go with something more minimalist. These businesses all employ modern, minimalist designs.

Some of them include logo marks, some are purely type-based and use unique letterforms to convey their brand, and others have a badge or an emblem-like appearance.

If the shop you're running is geared toward niche demographics, you'll want to select the right logo to resonate with this particular customer base. If it's food that is organic or toys, comics, women's apparel, or hunting gear, it's possible to achieve an effective, genre-targeted logo, without going over the territory of childish and cute.

A few examples of niche-specific audience logos include Walt's Comic Shop, Nelson Rare Books, KiwiCo, and Chewy.

Walt's Comic Shop makes use of a mascot style design however uses simplified lines and a two-color palette along with a clean, sans-serif font. The design is fun and evokes the industry, but it's not too cartoonish and graphic elements and typography can be used together or independently.

Nelson Rare Books uses an intricate illuminated initial in their logo. This is similar to what is found in the beginning of a chapter in an old book. In contrast to the decorated serif initial, they use a clean, wide sans-serif font that is used in all uppercase letters for their company name. This creates a sense of balance visually and reflects the essence of the brand's image as an online retailer of unique and old-fashioned books, as well as a shop that uses modern technology and organizational systems.

KiwiCo delivers science and art kits for kids as the basis of a subscription. The company has chosen a contemporary, simple logo but have they've kept it fun with their kiwi mascot, and the serif font that is chunky. The logo's simplicity will allow them to expand their company in many different ways without needing alter the logo whenever they do so.

Chewy is a pet-related delivery service. Their logo doesn't contain any imagery and is only type-based. They've used a rounded sans-serif design that's been mixed up, giving it the playful look that is often associated with pets.

Do not use clip art

If you think you can simply pick a logo off a free clip art site - think again. You technically could make use of clip art whenever you want, but it is likely that many other companies have utilized this technique. It is possible that people will recognize it and mistake it for another company's logo, or it could give an unprofessional look.

Also, not all clip art can be considered to be publicly available. If you see it on the web doesn't mean that it's free to use. It's not a good idea to become the focus of legal action!

It doesn't mean you shouldn't make use of a graphic that has been designed by a professional to use as the basis of your logo. It is possible to use royalty-free images from images available on marketplaces, such as IStock Photos as well as Creative Market that you can find higher-quality, pre-made graphic elements for your logos or entirely-designed logos where all you need to do is substitute your placeholder with your company name.

If you do use a pre-designed element within your logo, bear an eye out for other logos that might be using the exact same element in theirs too. Also make sure you're using the appropriate license to your intended purpose. Many stock image sites offer different types of licenses you can purchase for different uses, like web, print, and editorial use.

Beware of cliché and overused designs and fonts

Searching for "worst logo typefaces" as well as "worst logo design" can give you suggestions on what not to do. You should take the time to make certain that your logo elements as well as typography aren't being employed by any other company. This will not only help to avoid confusion between brands, but it can also help push you toward a more innovative and unique design will be a source of pride for you.

There's no wrong choice to use a common logo or symbol in your logo design when it's relevant to your industry. The logos for veterinarians are a wonderful example of this. Do you know how many vets utilize a combination of either a dog or cat with a paw print an medical + symbol as well as a heart?

Most likely. However, that doesn't mean that it's impossible to utilize the same type of images It's simply that it's much more difficult to think of something unique while using common themes.

Here are some great examples of the most common logo choices done well:

To design Aurora Veterinary Hospital, the artist used a simple palette that features an abstract image of a dog... or maybe it's the cat. The design is vague enough to represent both species. It's adorable without appearing cartoonish. It's modern, clean and easy to read, while being an unique rendition of the popular theme of dog and cat in veterinary logo design.

Advanced Veterinary Care Center's logo is extremely creative, pointing to a tail of a cat while using the traditional medical + symbol to create an image of the letter"A" for "Advanced." The logo is an upscale logo that is communicating to the business that they are representing. This logo has a different meaning as Aurora Veterinary Hospital's logo. It's much more abstract and minimalist while still using the most common designs.

Creating your own font, or modifying a font's appearance in a way to match your brand's image, is an effective method of creating an effective and unique logo. If graphic design and typography are not something you have a background in, then you'll need to read up on basic typographic principles prior to working on creating custom fonts or modifying existing ones.

Do not go too far with colors or visual effects

You should limit your choices only to a minimum of four colors. If your logo requires over four color options then try not to exceed the color limit of a single graphic element within the logo.

As an example for instance, the NBC logo has an image of a rainbow in their peacock logo and their logo, however their text is in black. The elements are easy to understand by itself. Solid colors and a small variety of shapes makes the peacock's element in view in spite of the rainbow of shades.

If you begin adding different colors to each word, your logo starts to lose impact. Going further by applying drops shadows, rainbow gradients, and glow effects, the logo begins to appear chaotic. This is definitely unique, however it's pretty difficult to stare at.

Make sure your design can be easily read across all platforms.

If you're running an online store, you'll definitely want to make sure that your logo is attractive and accessible on your site, especially on mobile devices. You'll need to ensure that it appears good on paper, and can be translated well to both horizontal and vertical layouts, and includes the color options for various background colors and textures.

Be careful not to distort or squish the aspect ratio of your logo in order to accommodate a certain space. It is possible to rearrange the logo elements or make it smaller or larger while keeping its proportions, but stretching or squeezing the logo can make it more difficult to read, and will make it appear less professional.

Make use of a vector-based design application to design your logo

Two types of images that you are able to create using design software - vector and raster. Images that are vector-based are created by mathematical formulas that enable them to scale without losing quality or becoming blurred.

The images in a raster format, on the other hand comprise a fixed quantity of pixels. After you've scaled the image there is no way to scale it back up again without losing the quality of your image or distorted image in any way.

Because your logo could be utilized in a range of sizes and in a variety of situations on your marketing material You'll need to be sure your logo will be scaled without losing quality. The use of a vector design makes editing your logo later much easier and helps to preserve the image quality regardless of the number of times you downsize or upsize your logo.

You should also save versions of your logo in a variety of vector (ai pdf, eps) file formats as you can export both high-resolution raster files (png TIFF, jpg, etc.)) and web-optimized lower resolution file formats like webp.

Do you want to learn more about different logo formats? The Mean Creative offers an handy cheat sheet.

Logo design software

Are you looking for the perfect software to create an awesome logo? With the many options available there, it's tough to know which one to choose. If you have graphic design experience then you may want to make use of a desktop or online design software that gives you complete freedom to design your logo for your business.

If you don't have any design experience then you may want use an online program for creating logos. Even if you don't find a solution that's precisely what you're seeking, it could be a good starting point if you choose to employ a graphic designer.

If the logo you've created has a lot in common with the style you'd like and still requires some minor adjustments, you can save money by giving the freelance designer a logo which is 90% of what you'd like it to be and requires only a couple of tiny adjustments.

Design software for desktops and online options

    Adobe Illustrator  

• ProfessionalsIllustrator is a market leading vector design software. The desktop and the iPad/Surface Pro versions are available and it's feature-rich.
• Pros:Illustrator uses a subscription-only model for its software, meaning that it will have a continuous monthly fee. It can have a steep rate of learning, which means this software may not be suited for people who plan to perform a significant amount of graphic design.

    CorelDraw  

• Pros:It offers a one-time purchase option as well as an available subscription plan. There's also a less expensive Corel Vector online software with the option of a trial period of 15 days for free.
• Pros:The one-time purchase price is over $500 and the online vector software is a limited to subscription. Like Illustrator it is a learning curve that could be quite intimidating for those who are new to the field. Also it is worth noting that the CorelDraw iPad app has an average rating of 1 1/2 stars review in the Apple App Store.

    Canva  

• Pros: There is a no-cost account so that you can make a logo or others designs for free. Canva also has an option to create a logo if you're unhappy by your design work. Canva is a wildly loved and popular design software that simplifies the process designed for creative and non-designer pros. You can rest assured it's well-supported by regular updates as well as new features. Additionally, it offers free access to some of the stock images of Getty as well as other content sources.
• Con: Premium content and functions are only available to customers with different levels of paid accounts. The program is only available online. Searching to search for images from stock, in particular, is a little clunky and it can be difficult to locate the exact image you're searching for.

    Vectr  

• Advantages Vectr is a easy, no-cost vector design program that's easy to use.
• Pros:It's online only and may be too easy, based on the type of design work you want to do. It also runs ads within the application, which can cause annoyance.

Online logo creators

Apart from Canva's feature to create logos, which we mentioned earlier, there's also online software which is focused on only automatic logo design.

The Looka as well as Smashing Logo Both offer low-cost automatic logo design services. You can create for free any number of logos you like, however in order to download the vector files and brand packages, you'll need to purchase one of their higher tiers.

The online logo creator software could be a great method of locating the perfect logo for what you want at a low expense, however you're not always guaranteed to receive what you're hoping for. Since these two platforms can be used for free and test, they could at the very most help you consider how to design your logo, and think about what you do and don't prefer, and then present that idea to a graphic designer or an agency to get a start point.

Outsourcing logo design

Do you have no interest in designing your own logo, or making iterations using an application for creating logos? Sometimes it's just ideal to work with an expert from the beginning.

Hiring a freelance logo designer or agency to create your logo can be a wise investment in the future of your business. Professional designers will bring new perspectives you may not have otherwise considered and are capable of creating all necessary design versions and file types.

However, it's also important to be aware of the risks of outsourcing the design of your logo. It is important that you choose a professional with previous experience in designing logos for companies within your field, who has received good reviews from previous customers, and who is able to work within the budget you have set.

There are some who have had success finding freelance designers through marketplaces on the internet such as Fiverr and Upwork. Others prefer to work with local people or who has been recommended through a family member and/or colleague or the local chamber of commerce. Each of these is perfectly acceptable avenues to pursue in the search for a designer to work with.

If you're a customer, you'll have to be sure you're ready for working with a graphic designer. It is important to conduct some study on logos you like, consider the goals you'd like to accomplish through your logo and clearly convey your requirements.

Designers work best when given both clear parameters and some creative flexibility for their designs. If you're too rigid in what you'd like your design to look like or if you're too vague this could result in an unsatisfactory logo. the expectations you have set.

The final step in creating a logo with your graphic designer is like a conversation which can take around a couple of times on sketches before you arrive at a design that's just right.

Make your mark visible

If you've got some logo design tips to refer to, it's time to get creating and put your logo to the test. Study different logos. Create a brand colors and general design.

Next, you must decide if would like to design your own logo, or use the software to design your logo or employ a professional graphic designer. Once you have a logo you like, make sure that you've got the correct file types for web and printing, and then start to implement it across your website and social media channels, as well as marketing channels, and products.

It's also recommended to examine your logo thoroughly and pass it by trusted sources for feedback before it goes live. Be aware that your logo serves as a visual representation of the company you work for. It's possible that you won't reach a majority of opinion on whether the logo you prefer is a good design, but you can at least prevent the most obvious issues that could land it on blogs about the most unprofessional logo designs of all time.

Logo design may seem daunting however, with careful planning, research, and the right tool or designer, you can create a beautiful, impactful logo that represents your brand and creates trust and loyalty among your customers.