Blog
Marc Forbes
So you have registered your business and have your domain name. Now you need a logo.
A logo is important in how people perceive your business, you want to make a great first impression. I would recommend going for the best option that you can afford.
A professional eye-catching logo and branding can really help give your business a kick start. You get what you pay for, so seriously consider a worthy investment in engaging a professional for ideas and the logo design.
Bear in mind, that working with family or friends may limit your ability to be absolutely honest about their work. Have a look at their previous work, be clear about your direction and if you like their style, go for it.
Communication is pretty key to getting a logo that suits your vision. I would recommend finding three examples of logos that you like, and think about why you like them. Make notes to help guide the designer in the right direction. Here are some great places to source inspiration; Logopond, Dribbble, Behance, and Pinterest.
If you’re hiring a professional designer for your logo, it's a good idea to ask them to design your business card at the same time. However, there are some great resources that can help you design your own. I would highly recommend using Canva if you choose to design your own business cards, they have lots of templates to start with and it is a great program to help you with your social media posts when you're ready.
When you have your business cards designed, the next step is getting them printed. First I would start by just getting a small amount of business cards, around 150 or so. When you’re getting low, it's easy to order new ones. You will pay a little more initially, but in the long run, it can be more cost effective. The circumstances of small business can change. You may need to add or change some detail, e.g. new address. You don't want to have 1000 old business cards hanging around and waiting to go into the bin.
I usually pay for the higher quality card stock because the last thing you want for your small business is a cheap, flimsy business card. You can usually find a coupon code online. I bet there’s a discount coupon on their website right now.
Okay! You’re ready to blow the bank and stand out from the crowd! With a bigger budget, why not go for something more unique and fancy like extra-thick luxury paper, or a unique size or cut. You pay a bit more, but the print quality is higher than Vistaprint in my experience.
A branded t-shirt worn when dealing with clients and when out and about can really help give your brand some punch. Digital printing is great these days, and it's great if you want one of two shirts printed. I can recommend The Print Bar, you can get two t-shirts printed for AUD $51.
