Why and How to Get a Blog Logo Dirt Cheap
April 7, 2008Do you need a logo for your blog? The answer is yes. It’s little things that make big differences between you and other bloggers.
Just as a unique blog design differentiates a blog from those that are using common templates, a unique blog logo sets you apart from thousands of other bloggers who are using no logo or ordinary images as their logo.
There is a common myth that logos are expensive, and the logo designers charge hefty amounts of money for designing something as simple as , well, a logo.
Not quite true. It used to be the case that graphic designers were hard to find and they charged crazy fees for designing a logo, but nowadays, with the world shrunk to a global village thanks to the internet, the opposite is the case.
There are countless freelance designers who charge minimal fees for doing even unlimited revisions to tweak a design to your liking.
In big graphic design firms, things still function the old way. You have to empty your pockets on their hands to get your logo done. But that doesn’t concern you anymore. The big design firms are for big companies with huge budgets allocated for their brand identity.
For a single blogger running his own blog, a single freelancer running his own graphic design business from his laptop is the best choice.
The question, however, is that how to find a decent logo designer that doesn’t charge too much but has fairly good design skills?
A few years back, I’d have said: research. But now there are places that freelance designers frequent to find work. So it’s all too easy now to reach the designer you like.
On sites like Sitepoint, you get more than your money’s worth. Let me ask you this: how does a two dozen or more logos to choose from for as low as $100 sound? And what if all these logos are designed by different designers who are willing to make unlimited revisions to your favorite logo concepts?
I know it sounds terrific. And that’s why I recommend you to go straight to Sitepoint marketplace (now moved to 99designs.com) and launch a contest for your blog’s logo.
Some pointers to keep in mind before starting a contest:
- Go through other contests to get a feel of how to manage a contest.
- Increase the prize amount to get better submissions. $200 to $300 would be enough if you are short on budget.
- Be as descriptive about the goals of your blog, the kind of logo concept you have in your mind, and other details as possible.
- Provide timely feedback on all submissions, and if you don’t like a particular submission, say so outright.
- Be communicative with the designers and they’ll do even better.
Here are some more places other than Google to look for freelance designers:
Guru.com
Elance
Get a Freelancer
oDesk
Project4Hire
Or if you want me to design you a unique logo for your blog, feel free to drop me an email.
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I believe that while you can get some design cheaply from the sites you have mentioned, like most things, you get exactly what you pay for.
I think the logo designers on sitepoint do a pretty good job based on what I have seen. Good article Mohsin.
Luke, maybe you are right. But we are not talking about giant companies are we? I mean for small businesses, webmasters, and bloggers, there is really no need to hire big design firms or expensive designers to get a small logo designed. A talented designers who knows his stuff but doesn’t charge too much is quite what is needed.
Vinh Le, heck yeah! You have to see it to believe it.
I have a plain and simple picture that I have been using as a logo. I think a logo is important because it becomes recognizable to people. Kind of like the golden arches.
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The Masked Millionaire
Mohsin, thanks for answering my question with a post. I just woke up a few minutes ago, so I’m still in a little shock at how many attractive logos were created at 99 designs for a $200 prize!
Just browsing the entries online would be a great way to find a designer who’s style matches your taste and who would probably match your budget too.
I am about to go to http://19dollarlogos.com/ for a 19DollarLogo and figure it is worth the look. Qassia just got their new logo with 19$ and it is as good as other stuff out there.
Remember, logo has to look nice but be easy to remember and use to ID you. Too many spinning globes out there for me.
Yet another option for a dirt cheap logo is Digitalpoint – you’d be amazed at the quality of logos that you get for $5!
Just before I read this, I stumbled upon a tool that helps to design a Web 2.0 logo FREE but too bad, since I don’t need a logo for now, I simple give it a thumbs up and moved on.
I got my current Entrecard banner for only $1, which I am greatly satisfied with the quality. Anyway, price war seems to be intensive in the web designing world. If you put in some time to dig some value designers out, you will get yourself a design that you like a lot and will not pinch your heart with regrets.
“how does a two dozen or more logos to choose from for as low as $100 sound?”
Like a bad idea. The method to “launch a contest for your blog’s logo.” is called spec work or in other words exploitation. Check this out: http://no-spec.com/
Tad, in theory, you may be right, but let’s get real here. In what you call ’spec work’ both the designers and the clients are involved of their own consent. This is the only way for clients with low budgets to get their logo done, and as far as designers are concerned, this is probably the only way for them to find some work.
It’d be disservice to the clients and exploitation of the designers if both parties didn’t know what they were in it for. Which certainly is not the case here.
Why not just make a logo on your own.. just play around in photoshop and you can have your own design no matter what will be the result..
Like me, I don’t have any knowledge in graphic designing but i got my own logo from myself.. I just play around with photoshop and just do some editing and finally, i got a logo.
I think that the logo is a very important piece in a website or blog.
I found one photo search site. It can definitely help you. Here you can quickly find whatever you want with some great visual search tools.
Please check out http://xcavator.net/
Well, this isn’t going to replace a professional logo designer,but it’s a step up from most of the image generators. It’s designed to blend seamlessly into any solid background color. Hundreds of base images, tons of fonts etc. The reality is that most folk will want to actually buy a logo if their website is a money maker. If it’s something like a personal blog, then we know they are all out hunting for something quick and free.
It is true that you can get a great logo at a great price…if you are lucky. I have had a lot of customers who had bad experiences with places like digital point (many designers there rip images from stock photography sites) or low budget logo design sites (50dollarlogo.com is continues to rip people off – here is a link to one of their angry customers: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/338/RipOff0338249.htm type them in Google and you will see a lot more).
I think you can find a lot fantastic designers through digital point, site point, and discount logo sites. I use to enter logo contests at DP. The best advice would be to Google the company or person you are going to be doing business with. You also see what files you will be receiving once the logo has been completed.
I’m new in the internet business field. I’m skilled in the graphics side, but I need info to learn about this business. I was going through your post and got a few pointers.
Logo design is extremely important in creating business identity. Lot of business owners failed to realise that logo constitutes an essential portion of branding itself. It’s advisable to get the logo designed professionally…because at some point, the logo becomes representative of the business. Its an identity! Due to this, lot of logo designers charge ridiculously high fees for their design services. Business owners should remember that its not always the price that makes quality. Zmaj doo makes great logos at affordable prices. What IS important is copyright transfer of the logo. In US law, the designer ALWAYS retains copyright of his work unless there is a written transfer of copyright. So even if your logo has been made by a designer upon instructions from you, the designer retains exclusive right to the logo. So, do take care of this legal side specially if you are in the United States. I had my initial company logo for ADFLECT Advertising and Marketing made by Zmaj Doo for 19 dollars. I knew what I was looking for and I instructed the designer on what type of shapes and colors I would like for him to use. However, I also made him sign and send me the copyright transfer statement that grants me exclusive rights of use and distribution of the logo. With my consent however, they list the logo on their website portfolio…So my advice is if you are serious about your business, look for professional services you can afford even if it needs outsourcing and spend those dollars on equipments you may need. Put your focus on the legal side of things and protect your business identity. Remember, your business is like another baby and you are the parent; protect it, nourish it, invest in it and it will make you happy;)
Alistair Banerjee
I have just begun to dabble in custom web button design, which is similar to logo design. After reading some of the comments here, it sounds as if it’s better to spring for quality rather than quantity. Although I am just a blogger, I have tried create my own logo before, and at the moment I don’t have the money for professionally designed logo. So I plan to create my own, it should be ready and live on my blog by Monday Oct 4, 2010. If you guys like it, then contact me via email and we can discuss things from there. TTFN & Best Wishes to Everyone:D
This is really nice creative logo blog. thanks for sharing this article. keep some more interesting logos and description.
To be honest, although more and more designers get into the business, it becomes harder to find a really good design.