Some business owners are keen to dive in and invest in their business for a professional logo and brand right from the very start. Others might be a little more cautious. If you have little-to-no startup funds, it’s safe to say you might be the latter. And that’s perfectly OK.

A professional logo and brand aren’t for everyone at the beginning stages of their business. However, as your business grows, you should consider the advantages of making such an investment, like improved customer perception, and the ability to charge more for your products or services. Here are a few ways can tell if you are actually ready to make splurge for a professional logo:

You thoroughly understand your audience.

I’m not just talking basic demographics. I mean, you need to know your audience inside and out. What they like and don’t like, where they hang out online, what they value, what they’re afraid of and what will catch their attention most. Knowing your audience on this deeper level will ensure that you have the right context and background to frame the creation of your professional logo.

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You have clearly defined your business and your services/products.

Imagine that you are a handmade soap boutique one week, but decide to start selling style consulting services the next. These are targeting two completely different target audiences and are completely separate ideas. It’s probable you aren’t going to be able to create an effective logo if your products/services aren’t nailed down since much of the aesthetics of a good logo are tied to what your business sells.

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You have a future plan for your business.

Whether it’s 6 months, a year or 10 years down the road, if you are serious about your business then you need to have a plan for the road ahead. A plan indicates you have foresight and strategy built into your business and you are ready for the long haul. If you’re at this level of the game, you’re showing business leadership which is the kind of behavior that signals you might be ready for a long-term investment. If you’re more a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type business owner, you might not quite be ready for the investment of a professional logo.

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You are ready to invest.

OK, so I think we can all agree that it’s definitely not a smart choice to sink your life savings into your logo…But if you don’t gag at the idea of having to save a little bit for contracting your logo out to your dream designer, then you might be ready for a professional logo. While your investment can vary depending on your designer, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a quality contractor who will charge you less than $200. If Fiverr or 99Designs is more your speed, then you probably aren’t ready for the price tag of a professional designer.

Related Post: Is Hiring a Graphic Designer Worth Your Investment?

You are ready to trust your business in the hands of another professional.

Sometimes business owners think they are ready to have a professional logo created for their business when they actually aren’t. How so? Working with a logo designer requires the ability to trust someone else with the reputation of your business. While a professionally-created logo can have many benefits, the actual logo creation process can be challenging for some. For example, the logo a designer creates for you may not be what you expected, even though it may be the best solution for your business.

Related Post: How to Hire A Graphic Designer You Can Trust

Are you willing to trust the expertise and experience of professional or would you rather lean on your own sensibilities? If you are one of those people that feel as if you have to do everything yourself or it’s not done right, then you might not be ready for a professional logo.

Do you have a professional logo or did you DIY? What questions do you have about logo design? Let me know in the comments!