Can a Website Survive Without a Logo? #websitewednesday
One of the first and most important questions I ask during my consultation with potential clients is whether or not they have a logo/branding. Before we get a little deep into this, first let me define what a logo is. A logo is a graphic composed of mostly text and imagery designed for a business to communicate what the business name and to show what that business does. It is the very first thing that people will resonate with when the see your business whether online or a brick and mortal building.
During a consultation recently, I discovered that one of my potential clients did not have a logo, so I gave her some homework, to get a logo designed. On our next appointment, I asked how everything was going with the logo, so that we could move along in the next step of the web design project, her reply to me was, “well, I decided that I don’t really need a logo…see because I’m the face of the brand, so I just think that I don’t need one.” I sighed, and my reply was, “you still need a logo.”
Yes, you still need a logo. Now, can a website survive without a logo? Of course it can survive, but perhaps instead of thinking so much about your website you should consider whether or not your marketing can survive without a logo and the answer is no. I don’t recommend it. I know you may consider yourself a small business, but If you plan on growing your business to a bigger business, you still need a logo. Just to give you an example of what exactly I mean remember all of the smaller businesses who are now giants. Companies like Amazon and eBay. If there is one thing that we all remember, it’s their logo. And look how big these companies have become, so don’t let your business being small be one of the reasons you decide to skip the logo design process.
Now let me touch a little bit on the where a logo should go on your website. Your website is the place your logo will call home. Studies show that the placement of a logo is just as important as having one at all. You want to make sure that your logo is clear, which has a lot to do with the way it’s designed. You’ll also want to make sure that it is not too large or small on your website and most importantly that it isn’t cutoff in any way. This is something that your website designer will handle for you, but if you are your website designer then be sure to follow the guidelines of the correct logo size for whatever platform you are using.
It is also very important to use only one version of your logo through out your website as well as your social channels, this way things stay cohesive visually. Me personally, I love to fit most logos in the top left corner of a website when I’m designing. Studies also show that keeping the logo centered left is most appealing. I would guess that this is popular because we read from left to right. Another quick point I want to make is to not over do it when placing your logo on your website. If you want it in more than one place, my advice is to stick to the the header and footer sections. For most websites, once it is placed in the header and the footer, it’s stagnant throughout all the pages of your website. My last tip is to incorporate your logo colors throughout your website like your call-to-action buttons and some of your text especially header text.
I think it’s pretty safe to say that we should never skip the process of having a logo created or underestimate the importance of what a logo does for a business or website. If you want to know more about the importance of a logo and the 4 files that your logo designer should provide to you, please read more from my client/friend Ebony over at brownskinbeautiful.com
As always, if you need help with any of the things I have discussed today, let me know. I’m here to answer any questions you may have. See ya next Wednesday for #WebsiteWednesday!
LaShonda
