How to Get a Logo Designed Inexpensively with Quality

It seems that almost everyone needs a logo or brand these days. You don't need to pay a fortune to get a quality logo designed. It can be affordable...Step 1 First I recommend that you outline as many details about your logo as you can, if you have no idea that's fine too ;).Here are the details that will be helpful to a designer and get you better results faster:- Is the logo for web, print or both? (web means that it's for your website or blog etc, print means you need it for business cards, brochures, labels etc)- What size do you need? (if you know exactly how many pixels or inches the logo needs to be this can be very helpful, if you don't know exactly that's fine, describe what you'll need it for, a t-shirt, on the front door of your business etc)- What wording is needed? (the name of your company, slogan, web address etc)- What color scheme would you like? (white, blue etc)- Any additional ideas of what you'd like to see in the logo? (maybe an icon of a house, dog, some other unique design element like shiny or 3D effects etc)- References? (are there any other logos that you like that you could show the designer to get them on the right track)Step 2 Now, onto finding someone to design your logo. I'll list three great resources for your logo in order from possibly free to cheap to more standard rates.Step 3: Free or Cheap craigslist: http://craigslist.org/If you don't already have an account, signup here: https://accounts.craigslist.org/login/signupNow you may want to start by posting a listing asking if a student or new graduate might be interested in designing your logo for practice. Now, although lots of seasoned designers will frown upon this and you may get some nasty feedback, there is actually nothing wrong with this.The fact of the matter is that there are students that do need practice, to receive credit for school or to begin building their portfolio. Some schools actually have programs where they offer to design logos and websites for free so that their students can get real world experience. Good luck getting on one of these lists or not being 437 in line though ;).Step 4: Flat Rate needmyLOGO: http://needmylogo.com/Now if you're willing to pay at least $50 for your logo, there are some reputable professional services that offer affordable quality work without limits on revisions so that you won't get stuck with a logo you don't want.Step 5: Contest Based 99designs: http://99designs.com/If you don't already have an account, signup here: https://99designs.com/registerThis is a pretty neat service, you basically enter your logo to be designed in a contest format. Many designers will provide you with designs for you to rate and leave feedback for. Eventually, you're expected to pick a winner and then pay them for the final design. It costs $39 initially to enter, then to purchase your final design it will run you between $150 - $300+.Tips & Warnings - If at all you have any trouble or questions about this how-to or find any errors, please comment and I'll work to update and resolve the article so it's more thorough and understandable.- When working through craigslist, make sure to really research the designer, checkout their portfolio etc, it's standard for freelancers to ask for half upfront (this is okay), just make sure you get a good feel for them so you're not getting scammed out of your money.Thanks for reading, Bryan

It seems that almost everyone needs a logo or brand these days. You don’t need to pay a fortune to get a quality logo designed. It can be affordable…

Step 1

First I recommend that you outline as many details about your logo as you can, if you have no idea that’s fine too ;).

Here are the details that will be helpful to a designer and get you better results faster:

- Is the logo for web, print or both?
(web means that it’s for your website or blog etc, print means you need it for business cards, brochures, labels etc)

- What size do you need?
(if you know exactly how many pixels or inches the logo needs to be this can be very helpful, if you don’t know exactly that’s fine, describe what you’ll need it for, a t-shirt, on the front door of your business etc)

- What wording is needed?
(the name of your company, slogan, web address etc)

- What color scheme would you like?
(white, blue etc)

- Any additional ideas of what you’d like to see in the logo?
(maybe an icon of a house, dog, some other unique design element like shiny or 3D effects etc)

- References?
(are there any other logos that you like that you could show the designer to get them on the right track)

Step 2

Now, onto finding someone to design your logo. I’ll list three great resources for your logo in order from possibly free to cheap to more standard rates.

Step 3: Free or Cheap

craigslist: http://craigslist.org/

If you don’t already have an account, signup here:
https://accounts.craigslist.org/login/signup

Now you may want to start by posting a listing asking if a student or new graduate might be interested in designing your logo for practice. Now, although lots of seasoned designers will frown upon this and you may get some nasty feedback, there is actually nothing wrong with this.

The fact of the matter is that there are students that do need practice, to receive credit for school or to begin building their portfolio. Some schools actually have programs where they offer to design logos and websites for free so that their students can get real world experience. Good luck getting on one of these lists or not being 437 in line though ;).

Step 4: Flat Rate

needmyLOGO: http://needmylogo.com/

Now if you’re willing to pay at least $50 for your logo, there are some reputable professional services that offer affordable quality work without limits on revisions so that you won’t get stuck with a logo you don’t want.

Step 5: Contest Based

99designs: http://99designs.com/

If you don’t already have an account, signup here:
https://99designs.com/register

This is a pretty neat service, you basically enter your logo to be designed in a contest format. Many designers will provide you with designs for you to rate and leave feedback for. Eventually, you’re expected to pick a winner and then pay them for the final design. It costs $39 initially to enter, then to purchase your final design it will run you between $150 – $300+.

Tips & Warnings

- If at all you have any trouble or questions about this how-to or find any errors, please comment and I’ll work to update and resolve the article so it’s more thorough and understandable.

- When working through craigslist, make sure to really research the designer, checkout their portfolio etc, it’s standard for freelancers to ask for half upfront (this is okay), just make sure you get a good feel for them so you’re not getting scammed out of your money.

Thanks for reading, Bryan

Other Reads:

• How to Make Shiny Text in Photoshop (The Easy Way)
• How to Find the Owner of a Phone or Fax Number
• How to “Fax” Online Without an Outdated Fax Machine