I always get aksed from clients about to start their website creation for their business; “What’s the best CMS (Content Management System) for websites.
There is soooooo many options! Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, Shopify, GoDaddy Website Builder and so much more! One I’ve missed – that is my #1 recommendation: WordPress.
It’s still the top leading way to create a website. You can go the DIY route and pick a theme and customize it with your info and images, but WordPress is still the top one for custom websites to be built, custom themes to be built for your business and it’s the way I go about creating websites for clients.
You may even be surprised that some VERY FAMILIAR websites are actually built within WordPress. Take a peek:
Most designers are pretty awesome at what they do. But not every designer can just whip up a successful logo. A great logo takes time, skill, and strategy. This highly specialized skill shouldn’t be taken lightly, or cheaply. This is why I want to tell you why a high-quality logo design project doesn’t cost $99. Nor should it ever.
We’ve all seen the price disparity between a logo design costing $99 on Fiverr or over $10,000 from a professional agency. How do we choose the right price when there is such a cost choice variation? Surely, a simple $99 logo will do, right? WRONG.
Now, I am not saying you need to spend your life savings on a logo. What I want to emphasize in this post is why paying bottom-dollar will do you and your business absolutely no good and actually end up costing you way more down the line when you realize your logo is not professional or fitting to what you wanted to represent your brand. In the end, you’ll spend more money re-doing your logo over and over again.
The Importance.
Logos are so important for your business. I can’t emphasize this fact enough. A logo emulates your company’s reputation. It is often seen as the face of a company.
Look at your logo as a business tool – you wouldn’t skimp on a tool that was vital for the success of your business, right? Apply this logic to your logo design. A logo is one of the most important branding investments a business can make and it should be Step 2 after a solid business plan.
LOGOS COMMUNICATE
Think about what aspirations you have for your business. Visualized? Ok, now. These same visualizations will be communicated through your logo design – when your logo is made by a professional logo designer. The designer that will emulate your vision through a logo won’t be cheap.
By choosing the cheap $99 option, you may be saving money on your logo now, but this could mean that you are spending more money on a logo down the road. The logo you should have invested in in the first place. Now, I don’t believe “the more you invest, the more you get out”, is always a true statement. But it IS true for logo design. So now let’s talk about what kind of prices we are looking at for quality logo designs.
The real prices of logo designs.
Logos are NOT just a five-minute design created on a whim. Only cheap logos are quick and easy. If you’ve ever been shocked by logos reaching the triple (or even quadruple) digits, then I should tell you now – quality costs.
There is a process to logo design, and it is important. Designers need to take into account a client’s values, business goals, and brand message. Once we enter the designing phase, several logo variations are made, revisions are implemented and completed by refining the logo to perfection.
CALCULATING WHAT A LOGO PROJECT SHOULD COST YOU.
If the design process is done correctly, using all elements all involved, a great logo designed by a professional can take anywhere from 30-50+ hours to complete. This entire process is relevant for factoring in the price professional logo designers will (and should) cost.
There will be a noticeable disparity between professional freelance designers and design agencies. You should also expect regional price variations to factor into your overall design costs as well as how many years of experience that the designer has.
Conclusion.
I hope this helps you in understanding why high-quality logo design should never cost you $99. Invest in your business wisely! Your investment will set you apart and be complementary to your success.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you have!
Naturally, there are always tones of email back and forth to explain the little details. But I like to provide a neat digital packet that has almost all the details and info neatly in one place for a smoother client experience.
What’s Included In The Client Welcome Packet
I send in the welcome packet after the initial deposit is paid and the contract is signed. This isn’t a workbook! Because ain’t no boss have time for that!
Welcome And Thank You Note
This is just a note I include to add a little personal touch. It is personalized for each client depending on their business and their objectives but typically this is the general template of the note –
I am truly excited to be working with each new client and can’t wait to bring about the much-needed transformation in their business We address whatever specific pain points they have in their business here as well
I mention what the welcome packet is about and how they should use/go through it.
My contact information.
I congratulate them for taking this important decision for their business and let them know that I am grateful for their business.
Setting Expectations
My goal with the welcome packet is to reduce all the email back forth and make sure the client and I are on the same page.
Majority of the problems are a result of lack of clear communication from either side. When you set expectations up-front you ensure smoother communication and process between you and your clients.
Some of the things that I include into this page –
How we are going to communicate over the duration of the project.
Project timelines
Policies for rescheduling meetings
When the next payment is due
Due-date for submitting the branding questionnaire
Timelines for providing feedback.
How often and how I will provide updates on the project
Business hours/days
My response times
I have found, It’s a lot better to set these boundaries in the initial stages instead of trying to bring the situation under control when a “misstep” happens from either side during the project. It sets you apart as a professional in your industry and helps to avoid all the potentially difficult situations.
Process Details
This is where I briefly outline the process details again and also describe the one concept approach.
Even though we discuss the project details over the initial discovery call, I make sure to outline it again. When we kick off the project at the start date it’s typically 3-4 weeks after the initial discovery call as most clients need time to think over if they’d like to work with me. Understandable! Small details discussed over the calls can easily be forgotten or missed, so outlining them here doesn’t throw any last-minute surprises to the clients during the project.
Deliverables
I mention all the deliverables that the client will receive at the end of the project for whichever package they signed up for and also any add ons if purchased.
The few things I include –
Details associated with each deliverable.
How the deliverables will be provided.
How-To Guides
I also include an FAQ page, these are the commonly asked questions from my clients ( which I note down and add them to the list as I experience them during the projects ) like –
How to book for additional services
Can you do X for me? or
Can I include an add on service when we are halfway through the project?
What if I want some work done urgently?
The final guide that I include is how to give feedback on the designs. I include this document to help clients understand what is and what is not helpful feedback to the designer. It helps to avoid potentially vague feedback from them and helps me understand what they are thinking.
BONUS!
I love that we’ve worked together each time. So a Thank You is a must on my part. It’s just my way of making my clients feel excited and give them a premium experience. Usually, it’s discounts from such places as Moo, Print Peppermint, Vistaprint, 4by6, and more — but I am currently transitioning into a partner program with previous clients where future clients’ thank you’s will be products samples!
