Your logo is the first thing your customer will see. It is vital it has a professional look and feel to it to set the tone of the interaction. Here are 8 ways to help you make sure your logo looks professional:

1. The use of high quality images and the correct use of the font

The first thing one notices when zooming in on a logo is the texture, whether it looks pixilated, the quality of the image etc. But even the most amateur mistake can be overturned by good design.

There is a huge difference between an amateur and a professional logo; using a number of tools, symbols, or fonts that are not commonly used will make your image look professional while the same does not confirm to the common rules of design can cause your image to look like a joke.

2. The use of “Readability”

This does not only pertain to the font but also the choice of the image. The image should be simple and with a color and pattern that can be easily read. Also, it should be obvious that what the image represents. Blurry and pixilated images are a big no-no. If your images are not easy to read, the logo will end up looking homemade, a concept you will not want to associate with your brand.

Also, using a type font that is easy to read can make your logo look more professional. Especially for a small business, it makes sense to stick to one or two type fonts at most.

There is an array of fonts available; some look professional and some not, and these are some you should avoid.

3. Don’t be too literal

Simplicity is the key to making your logo look professional. It is not uncommon to see a logo that can be interpreted differently. For example the Pepsi logo designed by Raymond Loewy is a mirror image of the bottle but people still see the round bottle and misinterpret it for the reflection of the bottle.

The same goes for representing luck using the image of dice; a casino logo for example, people are not going to recognize the dice as luck.

Making your logo look professional is not about how literal you can be especially in representing a concept.

4. Avoid the use of images that look disproportionate

Depending on the logo-imaged set, you might find it hard to avoid this mistake but it is very important that once you have chosen the image, you have a color combination that matches the image and the design as well. Images that are disproportionate can ruin the whole composition.

5. Avoid the use of text for the logo

Examples of it are Apple and Google. It is never a good idea to put a full description of the business in the logo especially if you do not have enough space to use text for identity.

Be clear and brief when using text for your logo, and ask yourself whether what you are writing can be varied in different contexts. It is not a good practice to use more text than you can comfortably fit in the logo. If it is impossible to include the full name of your company – then it is probably better not to use it.

Using as much text as possible in your logo will make it look cheap and amateurish.

6. Use 3-D elements to create depth; apply gradient and make sure it is not used too loosely

Using a 3-D element or a pattern can make your logo look more professional. There is nothing wrong with using more than one type of pattern but you should take time to ensure they do not look like they are doing your own thing but actually blending with the logo.

7. Use a font that matches the visual identity of the business

Do not start designing your logo with a certain font, it should be a by product of the business personality.

When designing the logo, you should stick with one or two type of fonts; avoid using more than two, it will make your logo look cheap. The same applies to the shape of the font, make sure it does not look like some sort of a pirated font.

Also make sure that your logo is not tilted in order to avoid the unbalanced look.

8. Use a minimum number of colors

Don't get too crazy with colors. Keep it down to 1-2 colors. You can use different colors but they should portray the same message.

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Let the professionals do it for you

You may also want to consult a professional designer. Good designers can provide a lot of insight into what works and what doesn’t and what you should or shouldn’t do. A good designer can make sure your logo captures the essence of your brand and looks clean and sharp.

Check out our affiliate agencies. They provide you with a professional designer at a very reasonable price.