Creating a logo from scratch might seem daunting, but with the right tools and guidance, it’s doable without breaking the bank. Any business owner, new or established, big or small, knows how difficult it can be to get things going. There is just SO MUCH noise today. I often feel like I have had enough but then I have to pick myself up and go again… EVERY TIME! And you know what? It is so worth it because I pick the fruit every time.

A logo is the face of your brand. It serves as a visual representation that encapsulates your identity, values, and offerings so you have to take the time to do it right the first time. With the right tools and a dash of creativity, it’s possible to design a professional logo for free.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Define Your Brand and do your research

Before diving into the design process, have a clear understanding of your brand’s personality, target audience, and core message. Outline what your brand stands for and what emotions or messages you want your logo to convey. Explore logos in your industry or niche for inspiration. Take note of colors, fonts, and styles that resonate with you and use platforms like Pinterest, Dribbble, or Behance to collect ideas and create a mood board. The easiest and fastest way to get it done is to download a free name generator.

I quite like this one from Squadhelp: https://www.squadhelp.com/business-name-generator

Just enter whatever business name you want to generate and it will give you a bunch of good ideas.

This is one of the names that it created for me with the prompt “an online gift shop” and I quite like the name. The logo icon not so much but it gives good ideas like the use of the blue for the word “JOY” and white for the word ‘CRATE”. On a black background that really works well.

Colour is important here too. For this logo I think using bright and joyful colours is important. When you create a business logo for corporate, using one colour like navy or gold with white or black might be better.

Also look at other name generators. Some give you more questions about your business to give even more ideas… search terms like best free logo maker, logo design online etc…. play with it and let me know in the comments which one you preferred!

Step 2: Choose a Free Logo Maker

The best way to do it would be to design it on the free version of Canva as it gives you plenty of free logo design templates and more options to personalise it than using a logo generator. You do require a bit more skills though… have a look at my post on Canva and subscribe to the blog if you would like to have more tips on using Canva in the future: https://kraftibee.co.za/2023/05/30/unleashing-the-power-of-canva-for-small-business-marketing-success/

The easiest and fastest way to do it is to find a free online logo maker and download it straight away. There are numerous online tools that offer free logo creation. Some popular options include LogoMakr, DesignEvo, and Hatchful by Shopify. I did try out DesignEvo and they had better designs and a little more options to change specific elements than Hatchful but Hatchful provided a much higher quality logo and instantly sent me a whole set of brand assets for a Facebook cover, LinkedIn profile, Twitter header… you name it.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Hatchful tool.
2. Click GET STARTED.
3. Choose the type of business that you most associate with your store. Click NEXT.
4. Choose the visual style that you want for your logo. You can choose more than one option. Click NEXT.
5. Enter in your business name, if your business has a slogan you can type that as well. Doing so adds both to your logo. Click NEXT.
6. Choose where you plan to use your logo. Select all the options that apply. Click NEXT.
7. Click the logo that you think is most suitable for your business. You can customize the logo on the next screen.
8. Use the side menu to edit aspects of your logo, such as the wording, fonts, and colors. Click NEXT.
9. Click DOWNLOAD.

If you change your mind during any of these steps, click BACK to return to the previous page.

In the end, choose a platform that aligns with your design preferences and offers the customization options you need. Be sure to choose the right fonts that get the right message out. You can make a logo look corporate or easy going by just changing the font and colours. (Have a look at my post on using text in design: https://kraftibee.co.za/2023/06/08/the-dos-and-donts-of-using-text-in-design/)

Step 3: Do it NOW!

Don’t procrastinate. Once you have your logo, with that feeling of accomplishment, so many other things will fall into place. Believe me, it will be like a weight off your shoulders, like you can do almost ANYTHING!

Creating a professional logo for free demands creativity, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of your brand but with the myriad of free online tools available, anyone can design a logo that embodies their brand’s essence. Remember, a compelling logo can leave a lasting impression on your audience, so invest time and effort into its creation!

Share your logo’s in the comments and have fun!