Logo Design

Having a logo designed for your company does not have to be difficult -- if you know where to look. There are four main ways to get your company's logo.

1. Do it yourself. The cheapest solution, of course, is to do it yourself. But unless you have sophisticated design skills, you will probably get what you pay for. Most people can obtain access to an illustrator or graphic design program, but few people have the experience and necessary skills to use these programs and design a professional-looking logo.

Many people use clip art to develop their logo and use this homemade design on all their products. Not only does this usually result in mediocre logos, it also fails to differentiate the company from its competitors, as customers may see the clip art image elsewhere.

If you make a mistake with your logo, it is difficult and expensive to rebrand your company with a new logo. Your customers will have grown accustomed to the old look and may pass up your product or service if they do not recognize your new graphic identity.

If do-it-yourself is what you're looking for, check out InstaLogo. With InstaLogo, you can choose images from a huge catalog, use an online logo creation tool, and get same-day turnaround and final files for $89. Make sure you know .

2. Freelance graphic designer. Freelance graphic designers generally charge an hourly rate anywhere between $20 and $150, depending on experience and location. Most freelance designers have portfolios that will give you an idea of what kind of work they produce, so you can see what kind of work they have produced. But unless you already know an experienced graphic designer, you can search a log time to find the right designer.

Make sure you discuss the terms of the deal, including how many rounds of revisions are included. Otherwise you may have to pay the designer to redo the designs every time there is a revision.

3. Advertising agencies. Advertising agencies have been the traditional source for logo development for decades. They have qualified designers and are used to developing logos for broad advertising campaigns. But because logo development is almost always a small part of a larger ad strategy, on average it costs anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 dollars for an advertising agency to deliver a logo. Revisions can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, and the cost is prohibitive to most small businesses. Learn more about .

4. Online solutions. For companies interested in getting high-quality design and multiple at a very reasonable price, online solutions like LogoWorks are an excellent choice. However, not all online logo design companies are equal. Make sure you look online for companies that use professional graphic designers who have experience in logo design. The company you choose should also have an 800 number and a satisfaction guarantee. That way you will be certain that you will be happy with the final result.

Get more tips on and on AllBusiness.com. provides resources to help small and growing businesses start, manage, finance and expand their business. Copyright ? 1999 - 2007 AllBusiness.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.