Choose a Logo for eCommerce 8 examples and mistakes to avoid

Whether you're just starting an ecommerce business or considering the possibility of a brand rebranding among the most important parts of this process is to create an appealing, high-quality logo to communicate your brand's message. Before you begin brainstorming your ideas, contemplate what makes an the design of a successful logo and which logo style will be the best fit for both the brand you're trying to establish and your potential clients.

In this post, we'll explore why logos are important, the eight kinds of logos, and some practical considerations including the most effective practices to design logos, software options for creating them, and strategies for outsourcing design.

What is a logo?

We could get nitpicky about the definition of the word "logo", the phrase is typically used to refer to a simple graphic made of imagery, words or a combination of both to represent a brand or an organization.

Why logos are important

Your logo will help customers quickly and effortlessly to recognize your brand when viewing your ads and posts on social networks, surfing search engine results or comparing items on the online marketplace, or shopping directly on your website.

If you'd like your online firm to stand out from the competition, having the right logo is crucial. There are a lot of online companies competing for attention from customers You'll need to choose a professional, unique, memorable logo that is an accurate reflection of your brand.

A well-crafted logo is also instrumental in establishing credibility. Consider your most loved brand names that you trust. The logos of their brands are likely to come to mind. Just looking at a certain design or color might evoke brand recognition.

Your logo will be an investment in your company's growth, so make sure you take the time and effort to design a logo that represents your business and speaks to your target audience.

Eight types of logos

The logos are usually classified into 8 different kinds:

• Logotype, Wordmark
• Brand mark, logomark, or graphic
• Mark of combination
• Dynamic logo
• Emblems
• Letterforms
• Lettermark, monogram
• Mascots

Wordmark/logotype

"Wordmark" as well as "logotype" are basically the same and both refer to"logotype" and "wordmark". They refer to a style that employs the use of typography typically the company name or a portion of the company's name. Logos that use these are often made using unique typography that makes it unique for the particular brand.

A renowned and famous instances of a trademark logo is Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola logo can be instantly recognized, thanks to its iconic typography that has changed minimally over the last 130 years. L'oreal and eBay's logos are also examples of wordmarks or logotypes.

Brand mark, logomark, or pictorial

"Brand mark"," "logomark," and "pictorial" are all used to refer to a graphic component of a logo. It may also use words or letters in the same way, but which does not include the company name. These marks can be symbolic, like the apple, bird, or the shell marks from Apple, Twitter, and Shell Oil, or they can be more abstract like those of the Atari as well as the Dropbox trademarks.

The Atari mark hints at an A-shape without actually being it. The Dropbox brand mark uses a series of strategically placed diamonds to give an abstract box appearance.

Mark of combination

A combination mark is the company name combined with the more image-based brand mark. Most often, a business will employ its combination mark for most contexts but also use its wordmark and brand mark separately depending on the scenario.

Dynamic logos

Dynamic logos are flexible contemporary logos that change their elements according to what a brand wants to convey in a specific use. Google is perhaps the most well-known instance of this with its Google Doodles. Logos that are dynamic can be animated, static, or interactive.

Google puts all three types to use in the Google Doodles series. One thing that is the same for every Doodle is the fact that the company logo "Google" appears in some manner. Everything else about the logo could alter.

For most brands, the Google strategy may not be a good fit - especially ones just seeking to make a name for themselves. It can be a bit challenging for prospective customers to be able to view multiple versions of the logo you've created in drastically different styles.

Remember that Google is not able to apply this similar flexibility to every use of its logo. The Google Doodle is specifically used on Google's Google Search landing page. Otherwhere else, they adhere to their trademarked wordmark and brand mark.

If you're looking to design an engaging logo, think more along the lines of MTV.

In the majority of use situations, MTV uses the same logo shape, but applies different color variations and sometimes it even co-brands alongside other businesses. Its logo remains easily identifiable as MTV, but the variation in the color and design can help viewers associate MTV with other concepts such as ideology, brands, or even concepts to create different emotional responses and continually re-engage viewers.

Emblems

The term "emblem" is a reference to the design of a logo that incorporates letters and imagery to create an integrated, singular logo. Emblems typically look similar to badges or crests. You see this type of design most often with university teams, sports teams, and automotive companies, but plenty of other companies use emblems for their logos. Businesses like Starbucks, Warner Bros. and Stella Artois all have emblem logos.

Letterforms

Letterforms utilize the initial letter and sometimes the initials, of a brand, to form a basic brand name. Though they're generally less complicated than a monogram logo they can be monogram, as in the one above. New York Yankees letterform/monogram.

Lettermarks/monograms

Lettermark or monogram logos use an acronym or initials for the company for the entire or a portion of the design. Often the letters overlap to form a pattern or could be set on the background.

Monograms were first used in the early days of Greece as identification marks on coins to indicate the city it was issued by. They were later used as signatures for those who had money and power as well as by craftsmen and artists.

Monograms are a part of a long history and are often employed by beauty and fashion brands to express a sense of class and tradition. However, monograms aren't exclusively utilized by these types of industries. Nearly every type of business makes use of monograms. They're an efficient and space-saving approach to design an identity, and they're suitable for almost any company.

Mascot logos

Mascot logos make use of famous characters to represent the company's business. The alligator from Lacoste, Cheetos' Chester Cheetah, Reddit's mascot-like creature Snoo, KFC's Colonel Sanders, and Wendy's hero, Wendy Thomas, are all famous examples of mascots that are used as part of a corporate logo.

Mascots are a great way to highlight a brand's character, while making it more casual and likable. It is also possible to use them in creative ways in your advertising. But using a mascot in the form of a logo isn't easy because it is difficult to replace the character you chose to use (see: Ronald McDonald) However, it can be it is difficult to get them out of the minds of the public.

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

Seven tips for designing an appealing logo

Your logo is often the first impression a client has with your business. We've already established it must be memorable, easily identifiable and reflect your company's branding, however, there are established best practices in the design of your logo that you'll need to take into consideration when selecting the logo.

Just because your logo is eye-catching and unique, that does not necessarily mean that it's a great design. Some of the most renowned brands out there have had several unreliable logo launches that have resulted in negativity in the media.

Some businesses go by the old saying that "any publicity is good publicity." If your company's name is controversial, you'll want to adhere to a few tried-and-true design tips to avoid ending up on a blog post that discusses the worst logos of all time.

Keep it simple

It is possible that you have heard of the phrase "less is better" - a phrase coined by Minimalist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1947. It gets thrown around a lot in corporate jargon and can sometimes be used as an excuse for simple design tasks. However, the concept of "less means more" should not be used to make the design simple and boring.

It's a philosophy that values functionality as well as aesthetic. 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 principle is very important for logos since the design should be simple for viewers to comprehend. It should be possible to place it on backgrounds using diverse textures and colors. make it adaptable to various spaces and aspect ratios, and then use it in various sizes without it becoming confusing or messy.

It doesn't mean you have to go with an uncluttered logo also. This can be applied to any type of logo such as traditional, modern old-fashioned, retro, or even any other style of design that is trendy and modern.

Choose a style that represents your brand as well as your intended public

If your company makes vintage or antique items it is possible to choose an old-fashioned logo that is reminiscent of the time your brand represents.

For instance, Big Chill appliances use an old-fashioned typographic design which evokes the look of vintage appliances that date back to the 1930s and 1960s.

The logo for Trader Joe's is an edgy 1960s vibe, and Ben and Jerry's is a playful and fun 1970s feel that fits with their brand style. Altoids' serif font logo with a gold embossed effect around the edges gives it a timeless and traditional style.

Jack Daniels whiskey has not significantly altered its logo since 1947, and it still looks like its pre-Prohibition era logo. In contrast to brands such as Levi Strauss that massively changed their logos over the course of time, Jack Daniels has only changed their logo throughout time, bringing back to consumers of the brand's long time of existence.

If your business is a provider of software as a Service (SaaS) and offers tech-based products, or has a logo that's clean minimalist, simple, and contemporary You may want to go with something more minimalist. The following companies all use modern, minimalist designs.

Certain of them incorporate logo marks. Others are solely type-based and utilize distinctive letterforms that represent their identity, while some have badges or emblem-style appearance.

If your online store is targeted at niche consumers, you'll want to select the right logo to resonate with this particular customer base. Whether it's organic food, toys, comic books and women's clothing, or hunting gear, you can create a powerful, targeted logo, without going over the territory of childish and silly.

Examples of niche market logos are Walt's Comic Shop, Nelson Rare Books, KiwiCo, and Chewy.

Walt's Comic Shop makes use of a mascot-style design but employs simplified lines and a palette of two colors as well as an uncluttered, sans-serif font. It's a lot of fun and draws inspiration from the business, however it's not too cartoonish and the graphic and typography elements can be used together or independently.

Nelson Rare Books uses an intricate illuminated initial in their logo. This is similar to what could be found at the first chapter from an antique book. Contrasting with the embellished serif typeface, they employ the clean and wide sans-serif font in every uppercase letter for the company's name. It provides a visual balance and expresses the nature of the company's brand as a seller of rare and antique books, and an online shop that utilizes modern technology and organizational systems.

KiwiCo provides science and art kits for children as an online subscription. They've chosen a modern, clean logo, but made it playful by using a kiwi-themed mascot as well as a chunky serif font. Keeping the logo more generic allows them to grow their company in many different direction without the need alter the logo whenever they do so.

Chewy is a pet product delivery service. Their logo doesn't contain any imagery and it is purely based on type. They've employed a sans-serif rounded style that's mixed up, giving it the playfulness that we associate with our pets.

Don't use clip art

If you think you can just pick a logo out from a clip art free website, think twice. Technically, you are able to use clip art if you'd like. However, it is likely that many different businesses have also employed this technique. Some people may be able to recognize it, and mistake it for another brand's logo or might give an unprofessional impression.

Also, not all clip art is accessible to the public. Just because you find it on the internet isn't a guarantee that it's available to download. You don't want to end up the subject of an action!

It doesn't mean you shouldn't make use of a graphic that has been designed by a professional to use as an element of your logo. It is possible to use royalty-free images from image marketplaces such as the iStock photo and Creative Market which are where you can get higher-quality pre-made graphic elements that you can use to create your own logos. Or, completely designed logos where all you need to do is change the placeholder on the design with the name of your business.

If you are able to employ a pre-designed component in your logo, keep in mind that other people may be using that exact similar element for their logos also. Make sure that you're using the right license for your purpose. Some stock image sites have different types of licenses which you can buy for various purposes, such as printing, web and editorial use.

Beware of cliché and overused designs and fonts

Doing a search for "worst Logo fonts" and "worst logo design" can give you tips on how to avoid. But you should also be sure to check certain that your logo elements and typography are not being utilized by companies that are not yours. This will not only help keep your brand from being confused, but it will also encourage you to create a more innovative and unique design will be a source of pride for you.

There's no wrong option to utilize a popular logo or symbol in your logo design when it's relevant to your industry. Veterinary logos are a great illustration of this. What are the most common veterinarian logos that use a combination of cats or dogs or paw print a medical + symbol, and a heart?

Most likely. It doesn't mean it's impossible to utilize that type of imagery but it does mean it's much more difficult to come up with some thing unique using standard subjects.

Here are a few great examples of common logo image choices done well:

To design Aurora Veterinary Hospital, the designer employed a limited palette, with an almost abstract representation of dogs... or maybe it's the cat. The design is wide enough to be able to convey both species. It's cute without being cartoonish. It's contemporary, sleek, and easy to read while also being a unique design and representation of the themes of cats and dogs in veterinary logo design.

Advanced Vet Care Center's logo is extremely creative, pointing at a cat's tail while using the traditional medical + symbol to create the shape of the letter A for "Advanced." This is a more corporate-feeling mark while remaining true to the field they represent. The logo is a completely different one that Aurora the logo of Veterinary Hospital. It's more minimalist and abstract, while nevertheless utilizing typical themes.

Making your own font or modifying a font's appearance in a way to match your brand's branding, could be the best way to design an original and powerful logo. But, if graphic design and typography are not your primary background in, then you'll need to read up on fundamental typographic concepts before you start working to create custom fonts or modifying existing ones.

Do not go too far with colors or visual effects

Try to limit yourself only to a minimum of four colors. If your logo calls for greater than 4 colors, you should try to limit the colors to a single graphic element within the logo.

In this case, for instance for instance, the NBC logo has an image of a rainbow for their peacock symbol and their logo, however their font is black. Each element is easy to understand by itself. Solid colors and a small number of shapes keep the peacock's shape readable, in spite of the rainbow of hues.

However, if you start using different colors for each letter, the logo begins to lose the impact. Going further by applying drops shadows, rainbow gradients and glow effects it starts to look pretty chaotic. The effect is certainly original, however it's pretty difficult to stare at.

Make sure your design is easily readable across all platforms.

When you're setting up an e-commerce site You'll want to ensure that your logo looks great and is easily readable on your website particularly on mobile. But you'll also want to be sure that your logo looks great when printed, is able to translate effectively to horizontal and vertical layouts, and includes the color options for various background colors and textures.

Be careful not to distort or squish the dimensions of your logo in order to fit a particular area. You can rearrange your logo elements or make it bigger or smaller, while preserving its aspect ratio, but stretching or squeezing the logo can make it harder to read and feel less professional.

Utilize a vector-based design software to create your own logo

Two types of images you could make using design software: vector and raster. Vector pictures are designed using mathematical formulas which permit them to be scaled without losing quality or becoming distorted.

The images in a raster format however they are composed of the same number of pixels. When you reduce the size of your image down, you can't scale it upwards without loosing the quality of your image or distorted image in any way.

Because your logo could be employed in a wide range of contexts and sizes in your marketing collateral, you'll want to make certain that the logo is able to be scaled without losing the quality. The use of a vector design makes editing your logo later easy and allows you to preserve the image quality regardless of how often you reduce or expand the size of your logo.

Also, you should save versions of your logos in various vector (ai, pdf, eps) file formats, as you can export both high-resolution raster formats (png, tiff, jpg) and lower resolution web-optimized files such as webp.

Are you interested in knowing more about different logo formats? The Mean Creative has an helpful guide.

Logo design software

Are you looking for the perfect program to design a stunning logo? With so many options out there, it can be hard to figure out which one to choose. If you have graphic design experience then you may want to use a desktop or an online design program with complete control to create your company logo.

If you do not have an experience in design then you may want to consider an online program for creating logos. If you aren't able to find a solution that's the exact image you're after this could be a good starting point if you choose to employ an artist.

If the logo you've created is close to what you're looking for however, it still requires some modifications, you may be able to get a better price by offering your freelance logo designer something that's 90% where you want it to be however it needs some tiny modifications.

Design software for desktops and online alternatives

    Adobe Illustrator  

• ProfessionalsIllustrator is a market leader in vector design software. Desktop and iPad/Surface Pro versions are both available, and the software is feature-rich.
• Con:Illustrator uses a subscription-only software model, which means there will be a monthly expense. The software can come with a significant learning curve, so it may be suitable only for those planning to perform a significant amount of graphic design work.

    CorelDraw  

• Advantages:It offers a one-time purchase option, in addition to an available subscription plan. There's also a less expensive Corel Vector online software with a free 15-day trial.
• Cons:The one-time purchase price exceeds $500. The online vector software is a strictly a subscription. Like Illustrator it is a learning curve that can be a little daunting for beginners. Also, the CorelDraw iPad app has an average rating of 1 1/2 stars score in the Apple App Store.

    Canva  

• Advantages Canva includes a free account so that you can create a logo and others designs for free. Canva offers the option of creating a logo in case you're not satisfied with your own design efforts. Canva is a hugely well-known design tool that is simple that is suitable for non-designers as well as creative pros. You can be sure that it is well-supported with regular updates and innovative features. It also offers freemium access to some stock images that are available from Getty as well as other content sources.
• Cons: Premium content and options are restricted to users with different levels of paying accounts. The software is online-only. Searching to search for images from stock, in particular it's a bit clunky and may be challenging to locate precisely what you're searching for.

    Vectr  

• Advantages Vectr is a easy, no-cost vector design software that's pretty easy to learn.
• Pros:It's online only and could be too simple, depending upon the kind of work in design you'd like to do. Additionally, it displays ads inside the software, which can cause annoyance.

Online logo creators

In addition to Canva's options for creating logos that we discussed earlier There's also an online program that focuses exclusively on the creation of logos using automated technology.

Checka as well as Smashing Logo both provide low cost customized logo creation tools. It's free to create as many logos as you want, but if you want to download vector images and brand packages it is necessary to pay for one of their higher tiers.

Online logo creation software can be an excellent method of locating the perfect logo for what you want at a low expense, however you're not always guaranteed to receive the design you're looking for. Since these two platforms allow you to play around with them, they may at the very least assist you in thinking about how to design your logo, and think about your ideas about what you would like to want, and take that design to a graphic designer or an agency for a beginning place.

Outsourcing logo design

Are you not interested in creating your own logo? Or endlessly making iterations using the logo creator program? It's sometimes better to get a professional from the get-go.

Engaging a logo designer on a contract basis or an agency to design the logo for your business is an excellent investment for the future of your business. Professional designers will bring new perspectives you may not otherwise have considered. They are capable of generating all the necessary files and designs.

But, it's equally important to be aware of the possible risks associated with outsourcing logo design. It is important to choose a designer with previous experience in designing logos for companies that are in your sector, with good reviews from previous clients, and who can stay within your budget.

There are some who have had success hiring freelancers through marketplaces on the internet like Fiverr and Upwork. Others prefer to work with someone who is local or was recommended via a friend and/or colleague or the the local chamber of commerce. All of these are an acceptable option in the search for a designer to work with.

As a client, you'll also need to make sure you're ready to work with a designer. You'll want to do some study on logos you like, think about what you'd like to achieve with your logo, and then be able to convey your requirements.

Designers are most effective when they have certain guidelines as well as some creativity in their designs. If you're not flexible enough in what you want your design to appear like, or you're not clear enough, it can result in an unsatisfactory logo. the expectations you have set.

The final step in creating a logo together with a graphic designer is a dialogue, and you may go between two or three times with sketches until you come up with a concept that is perfect.

Make your mark visible

If you've got some guidelines for designing your logo that you can use, it's the time to create and get your logo use. Study various logo designs. Come up with a brand color scheme and general aesthetic idea.

Then, decide whether you prefer to design your logo yourself, use the software to design your logo or work with a professional graphic designer. After you've found a design you like, make sure that you've got the correct files for both web and print and start implementing it across your website as well as social media, marketing channels, and products.

It's also a good idea to carefully review your logo and pass it by reliable sources before it goes live. Remember, your logo is an image of the company you work for. You may not get a agreement on whether your preferred logo is a excellent design, however you should at least avoid the most obvious issues that could land it on blog posts about the worst logo designs of all time.

It can be difficult to design a logo, but through careful planning, thorough research, and the right designers or tools for design to create a beautiful, impactful logo which represents your business and inspires trust and loyalty to your clients.