Data by Market Research Biz shows that 75% of consumers can identify a brand by its logo and 60% by its visual style. Needless to say, your logo is a crucial component of your success. A well-designed logo shows professionalism, building consumer trust. And it helps boost recognition, enabling customers to remember the brand easily.
So, as a business owner, if you’re planning to design a logo, you have two options. You can either create a customized logo by hiring a graphic designer or use an online AI logo generator and design one yourself. While both offer unique advantages, you can only pick one. But which is the best choice?
That’s what we’ll explore in this blog. By comparing aspects such as design quality, costs, ease of use, customization options, and future flexibility, you can make a more informed decision. But first, let’s examine an AI-generated logo in more detail.
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way businesses work, and logo generators are no exception. With the help of an AI logo generator, businesses can instantly create a logo, even with little design expertise. The following are several reasons why they’ve become so popular, especially among startups and small businesses.
Since many AI tools allow users to create a free AI-generated logo, they are a great option for brands on a budget. But then, even if business owners decide to use the paid version, it is generally a cost-effective option.
AI tools are typically user-friendly. With intuitive features like drag-and-drop options and pre-set templates, the platform is very easy to use. Even people with limited tech/design background can design a logo fairly easily.
AI logo generators can speed up the design process. Users can go from concept to final design within hours. This is invaluable for entrepreneurs who need to launch quickly. And the time efficiency means they can focus on other aspects of the business.
AI tools pool extensive information from countless databases. That means users can access infinite AI generated logo ideas in real time. Furthermore, they can tweak the fonts, colors, and shapes to create a logo that aligns with their brand.
AI logo generation tools offer an accessible and budget-friendly solution, but they may have limitations. So, what issues can brand owners face when creating an AI-generated design? Unlike a custom design crafted by professional designers, an AI-generated business logo may not be able to capture a brand’s true identity and distinctiveness. This often leads to a final product that doesn’t quite resonate with the target audience.
But that’s not all. They may also experience limited customization design options. For instance, although many of the best AI-generated logo makers allow users to customize logo designs, the style and design options are usually limited. This makes it challenging for businesses with specific ideas to find a design that truly captures their brand’s unique vision and personality.
More alarmingly, AI logo generation creates significant concerns about copyright and originality. A user may unintentionally copy pre-existing designs, which could result in legal problems. That’s because AI generated logos are made from pre-existing design templates and can lack the originality that comes with a custom logo for business. This may pose issues, possibly making it harder for businesses to stand out in the competitive market.
Another issue businesses may face is difficulty in scaling designs. AI generated business logos are ideal for digital use, such as websites and social media platforms. But, they can be tricky to duplicate and scale onto printed branding materials, such as custom logo patches, business cards, banners, t-shirts, etc. It often results in a logo of inferior quality. And that can be detrimental to a company’s reputation.
AI logos are great for small businesses, startups, freelancers, or any online business that needs a quick logo on a budget. They’re quite easy to use, so you don’t need design skills to get something that looks professional. This makes them a lifesaver for entrepreneurs launching a new project or side gig who need a decent logo fast without spending too much.
They’re also handy for temporary or less important uses, like a logo for an event or a short-term project. While they may not have the custom touch, AI logos offer a simple, affordable way to get a polished look with minimal resources and time.
Now that you’re aware of what an AI logo generator can and cannot do let’s look at your next option – a custom-made logo. Unlike AI solutions, custom logos are developed by trained professionals, so your one-of-a-kind custom logo creation is infused with unmatched creativity and precision. And that means it can offer the following benefits:
A custom made logo design is created from scratch; no other brand has the same design. This ensures your logo is unique and has the right format. Furthermore, the originality allows your brand to stand out in the market and become more memorable.
Take, for example, the Nike Swoosh, created by a graphic design student, Carolyn Davidson, in 1971. The simplicity and uniqueness of the design embody Nike’s athletic image, empowering the logo as one of the most recognized ones in the world.
When designing a custom logo, brand owners work closely with a logo designer who takes the time to research your business and competitors. This results in professional logos that accurately reflect your brand’s unique values and identity.
Additionally, the design process ensures a professional and polished look. These features enhance your business’s credibility and allow it to stand out in the crowded marketplace. A custom logo also communicates to customers that you’re committed to quality, creating a lasting first impression that fosters trust and brand loyalty.
Logo designers and business owners collaborate to create a design that reflects brand vision yet is different from others in the industry. This enables brand owners to dictate subtle design elements they think are essential for the business, color preferences, style, etc. The creative control during logo design is vital for brands who want to achieve a specific look and feel.
The FedEx logo designed by Lindon Leader is a great example of this. It features a hidden arrow between the “E” and “X,” representing precision, speed, and forward motion, key traits for a shipping company.
Investing in a customized logo is more than just an added expense – it’s a crucial step toward building lasting brand trust and consistency. A well-designed logo supports long-term marketing efforts, strengthening your brand’s image and fostering customer loyalty.
Unlike generic or template-based AI designs, a custom logo is crafted to evolve with your business so it stays relevant, even as trends change. This boosts brand recognition and ensures your logo continues to make a strong impact across all platforms. It also saves on costly rebranding down the road, reinforcing brand loyalty as your business grows.
Custom logos are typically created as vector files, making them highly versatile for various branding needs. This flexibility allows you to use your logo on any medium, including custom-made logo stickers, patches, t-shirts, and tote bags.
Since your custom logo is being designed by an expert, you can basically expect a custom logo to be more expensive than one made by an AI logo maker. But remember, the higher cost is an investment in terms of quality and originality.
With a custom design, you’re paying for expertise and creativity. A professional spends time to understand your brand and your competition to identify elements that can differentiate from the others. This means you’re likely to get a logo that not only looks great but also genuinely represents what your business stands for, helping you connect with your audience on a deeper level. In the long run, that unique, tailored touch can be well worth the extra cost.
Almost any brand can benefit from a custom logo. For example, if you’re an established company that wants to build a business for the long haul, a custom made logo is probably your best bet. Though it requires a bigger upfront investment, a custom logo offers a unique, versatile design that consistently reinforces your brand identity, whether it’s online, on packaging, or in print.
Additionally, any business that needs a range of customized items, a custom made logo is essential. Its high-quality, scalable design ensures flawless duplication on everything, from your website to branded merchandise to custom made logo signs. Your logo will look polished and professional everywhere, creating a cohesive brand identity across all platforms.
By now, I’m sure the benefits of hiring a professional logo designer are quite clear. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use an AI logo generator. After all, all industries are headed toward an AI revolution. According to a recent study by Exploding Topics, 77% of businesses are either using or exploring the use of AI.
So, you can definitely benefit from an AI logo generation tool. The question is how. Believe it or not, it’s a great logo brainstorming tool. If you haven’t created a logo yet and are looking for logo ideas, an AI-generated logo maker can provide multiple styles and concepts that you can easily experiment with. Using these ideas, you can collaborate with a designer who can refine them to create a professional-looking logo that aligns with your brand’s vision. This hybrid approach saves time on the ideation process while ensuring that the final product is unique.
If used strategically, both AI and custom logos can help. But deciding between an AI generated logo and a custom made logo comes down to your brand’s specific needs, business goals, and budget.
While an AI-generated logo design is ideal for startups that require affordable logos with quick turnaround times, primarily for digital branding, it may not be able to convey your brand’s identity and core values accurately. On the flip side, a custom-made logo offers more originality, enhanced scalability, and long-term flexibility across all branding formats, making it ideal for companies aiming to make a memorable impact.
This is where we can help. At PNC Logos, we have a team of professional logo designers who can assess your brand’s needs, resources, and long-term goals to create a custom logo design that aligns with your business strategy. Our nuanced creativity and emotional intelligence allow us to craft logos that capture the essence of your brand in ways that go beyond aesthetics.
Get a custom logo made by PNC Logos. Schedule an appointment with our designers and discuss the details of your design today.
Read moreWe all have seen pesky popups that appear on our screens when we open most websites. They are permission for cookies, which we often accept or reject without even reading. They are kind of important because in a way, they determine your online experience as we see ads based on those cookies – more on that later. But for now, we should take a sigh of relief as those pop-ups will not appear as frequently as before because the end of third-party cookies is here, almost.
Cookies are small text files that sites store on a user’s device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) through the web browser. These files contain bits of information about the user’s interactions with a website, such as login details, preferences, and browsing behavior. Cookies can be used to improve our browsing experience by personalizing the website content, remembering our settings, and making it easier to navigate the site.
Let’s understand how data is stored in the form of cookies.
Let’s say a user is on a travel website looking to book a hotel. As the user browses various hotels, some of the information they enter (for example, specific dates, room type, or hotel location) is temporarily stored in the form of cookies. If the user books a room, the session cookies retain this data until checkout.
If a user has an account and they log in to it, cookies store their login information and preferences, like their preferred currency or saved destinations, allowing for a faster and personalized experience on future visits.
If the user starts a booking but doesn’t complete it, a persistent cookie can save this partial booking. When the user returns to the site, they’ll see their previous selections in the cart, helping them pick up where they left off.
The booking website might also use another type of cookies from ad networks to track the user’s visit. Later, when the user visits other sites, they might see ads for hotels in the destination they viewed, as these cookies help advertisers retarget based on the user’s previous interactions.
Websites use several types of cookies, each serving a specific purpose. Overall, they have one basic function – store users’ information for a better experience on the website or on the internet. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of cookies:
These cookies are created and stored by the site the user is directly visiting. They are typically used to enhance user experience on that site alone, remembering settings or login information. For example, first-party cookies or first-party data collection is when you log into a website like Gmail. Here, a first-party cookie saves your login session, allowing you to navigate between pages without needing to log in repeatedly.
Second-party cookies are essentially first-party cookies shared directly between two trusted entities. In this setup, company A collects user data from its website and then shares that data with Company B. This sharing occurs only under an agreement, where both parties have permission and a direct relationship with each other. For example, an airline’s website might collect data on user travel preferences (such as preferred destinations and dates) and share it with the hotel chain. The hotel chain then uses this data to offer tailored promotions to users, like discounts on hotel stays.
Third-party cookies are generated by domains other than the one you’re visiting. They’re often placed by advertisers to track user behavior across different sites, allowing them to build profiles and serve targeted ads. For example, if you visit an e-commerce site, like Amazon, and then see an ad for the same product on another website, it’s likely due to third-party cookies tracking your behavior and displaying related ads across the internet.
Session cookies are temporary and only last as long as the browser session. They store information temporarily and are automatically deleted once you close the browser. For example, on an online shopping site like Walmart, session cookies keep track of the items in your cart as you browse. If you close the browser without checking it out, these items disappear from your cart.
These cookies can only be sent in requests originating from the same website that set the cookie, which helps prevent cross-site request forgery attacks. They are often used to improve security. For example, Google uses same-site cookies for services like Gmail to restrict data access only to requests from within Google, enhancing security by preventing other websites from using your login session.
Since long, third-party cookies have been used to track user behavior across different sites, enabling targeted advertising and personalized experiences. So, it is natural to wonder why there are now talks to stop doing that.
The extensive use of third-party cookies by websites made data privacy in marketing a big concern among users and lawmakers. The movement to phase out third-party cookies gained significant momentum in 2020 when Google announced its intention to deprecate them in its Chrome browser. This decision marked a turning point, as Chrome is the most widely used browser globally. This transition was forced due to increasing concerns over data privacy and the growing influence of privacy regulations.
For example, laws like the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in the EU and the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) have put strict requirements on how personal data is collected and shared. Third-party cookies, which track users across websites to build detailed profiles, became a focal point of these laws as they often lack transparent user consent.
Digital marketing without cookies is an unimaginable scenario. Advertisers have been using them for years to market their products to target users online who are likely to become their customers. Third-party cookies have long been the backbone of behavioral targeting, allowing marketers to track users across websites and build detailed profiles for delivering highly personalized ads.
So naturally, with the phasing out of third-party cookies, they are now forced to look for alternatives to third-party cookies to collect data and find their target audience.
In the absence of third-party cookies, advertisers can adapt by switching to alternative and more personalized marketing strategies to collect user data and deliver relevant ads to their audience. Let’s look at some of these strategies and how these can be integrated into marketing for a more personalized yet privacy-conscious, web experience for the users.
Zero-party data is the data that customers intentionally share with a brand, often through surveys, preference centers, account settings, or interactive content. As third-party cookies are phased out, zero-party data offers marketers an effective alternative that respects user privacy while still allowing them to gather valuable insights for personalized marketing.
A zero-party data example could be the information gathered by a brand by creating a preference center on its website where users can control and specify what information they want to share and what kinds of promotions they’d like to receive.
First-party data is information gathered directly from users on a brand’s own website, app, or other owned channels. For example, e-commerce companies can collect data on user preferences, purchase history, and behavior on their site to personalize recommendations or tailor email campaigns. By asking users for explicit consent, companies can use this data for targeted advertising without third-party cookies.
To effectively collect and leverage this information, websites need to have CRM systems for first-party data. These include form and survey integration, cross-channel data capture, social media and web integrations, preference and consent management, content personalization, etc.
Contextual targeting is a privacy-conscious data collection technique that involves displaying ads based on the content of the site or page a user is currently viewing rather than their browsing history. For example, on a travel website, users might see ads for luggage, travel insurance, or hotel deals based purely on the site’s travel-related content instead of the user’s past web activities.
Privacy Sandbox is Google’s initiative to replace third-party cookies that limit user tracking while still enabling advertisers to reach audiences effectively. The Privacy Sandbox proposes various technologies, such as Topics API, Fenced Frames, Private Aggregation, and Protected Audience, to replace third-party cookies.
In second-party data partnerships, brands can partner with their trusted businesses to share their first-party data, expanding their data pool and insights while avoiding third-party networks. For example, an airline and a hotel chain could share anonymized first-party data to understand mutual customer interests, allowing them to cross-promote services (like flight and hotel packages) without third-party cookies.
An example of this collaboration is something done by Dunkin’ Donuts and the navigation app Waze. The two companies entered into an agreement where Waze allowed its users to place a Dunkin’ Donuts order directly in the app and then pick it up from their nearest location of the food franchise.
Advertisers can also leverage engagement data from their own sites or apps to display relevant ads to users based on past interactions. For example, if a user engages with product pages for winter clothing, that behavior can inform future ads for similar products on the same platform or within that brand’s ecosystem.
User consent in data collections has become integral as third-party cookies are gradually sidelined. It is important for websites to obtain explicit consent from their users for data collection and be transparent about data practices to build trust. Sometimes, these permission pop-ups irk users, making them bounce off the website.
To address this problem, websites can use simple language on these pop-ups and clearly explain to the users how each type of cookie benefits the user. For example, “These cookies help us remember your preferences” or “These cookies help us improve our website by analyzing usage data.” They should also provide clear “Accept All” and “Reject All” buttons for users who want a quick choice.
The gradual end of third-party cookies has pushed advertisers to develop more privacy-focused strategies that foster direct relationships with users. The future of data in advertising lies in prioritizing transparency and consent for data collection and behavioral analysis. The strategies mentioned in this blog work together to create a more private web experience where users can browse and interact with websites without being constantly tracked.
Read moreFans love their football teams. They are passionate about it. They roar when their teams win and feel dejected when they don’t. It’s a relationship that is inexplicable – you can’t put it in words. When people love a team, they love everything about it, and most of it, the team’s logo. So, I am sure you would want to know how to make a team logo that fans can form an emotional connection with. Let’s understand the craft of creating a meaningful logo.
A team’s logo is more than just a symbol; it’s a powerful psychological tool that can significantly influence the emotions and behaviors of its fans. It also affects their passion, sense of identity, and loyalty.
A team’s logo serves as a visual representation of the team and its values. For fans, it creates a sense of belonging and emotional attachment. When fans see the logo, they often feel pride, unity, and connection with the team. Fans tend to form communities around the team, and the logo becomes a symbol of these “tribes.” Wearing or displaying the logo allows them to express their allegiance and identity as part of a group.
Over time, a logo becomes associated with memories, both good and bad. A winning season, memorable games, or historic achievements become tied to the visual identity of the team. These connections can create feelings of nostalgia, especially if the logo remains consistent over the years. When fans see their team’s logo, it can evoke feelings of excitement, anticipation, and energy, especially before games or events. It triggers memories of past victories, invoking a passionate response.
A logo that has remained largely unchanged over time can foster a sense of stability and trust. Fans see the logo as a symbol of the team’s consistency and strength, enhancing their loyalty. For die-hard fans, a team’s logo can become a part of their personal identity. They align themselves so closely with the team that the logo represents their values, social connections, and even their sense of self.
The design elements of the logo (colors, shapes, typography) are often deliberately chosen to invoke certain emotions. Bold colors like red may evoke passion and energy, while blue may invoke loyalty and trust. The logo’s overall design can influence how fans perceive the team — as aggressive, dominant, inclusive, or fun.
Before you start the process to make a football logo, you have to consider a few factors that would ensure the logo resonates with fans, reflects the team’s identity, and stands the test of time. These considerations are:
It is important to understand the core values and traits of the team when brainstorming football logo ideas. What does the team stand for? Is it known for strength, unity, determination, or community spirit? Understanding the team’s core values will shape the design elements. You also have to see if this is a new team or one with a long history. For a new team, you have more creative freedom, but for an established one, respecting historical elements is crucial.
Another important factor is to understand the fan base — age, gender, culture, and interests. A logo that appeals to a younger crowd might look different than one intended for a more traditional audience. The design should evoke strong feelings and loyalty. For this, you can research symbols, landmarks, or historical references that represent the team’s geographic location. These can be subtly incorporated into the logo to enhance local pride. Take the example of the original logo of the NFL team, the Seattle Seahawks. It resembles the Kwakwaka’wakw eagle mask used by the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast, where Seattle is.
Good team logos are consistent with the overall branding—website, jerseys, merchandise, and social media presence. The logo should integrate well into all mediums, ensuring a cohesive visual identity. You have to decide whether the team’s logo should have a modern, sleek look or a more traditional and classic aesthetic. This depends on the team’s culture and the expectations of the fans.
One of the key decisions you have to make before you start the process to create a football logo is about the design. Today, football teams’ logos are used everywhere, from billboards to small icons on social media. Any logo design has to be scalable. For this purpose, you have to come up with a logo that works in different formats and sizes—on jerseys, billboards, digital platforms, merchandise, etc. Test how it looks in both color and black-and-white versions. The logo should be simplistic in design as more intricate ones may not translate well on small merchandise or mobile screens.
Designing a new football team logo requires a structured process to ensure the final design reflects the team’s identity and resonates with fans. Let’s look at the step-by-step process of how to create a team logo:
Once you have gathered information about the team’s history, fans’ demographics and sentiments, and local landmarks, culture, and history, you can start the process of conceiving your football logo design ideas.
It starts with collecting images, color schemes, fonts, and symbols that reflect the sentiments of the team and its fan base based on your research. Once you have those elements, start sketching rough concepts based on the themes and visuals you’ve gathered. The focus should be on different variations that incorporate team identity, regional pride, and emotional elements that fans can connect with.
You can also include fans in the conception process. For example, you could run polls asking fans what elements they think will be included in the final design. This builds emotional investment and creates a sense of ownership for the fans.
You can have a pictorial logo, like the ones used by the New England Patriots or Denver Broncos, or you can add fonts to it, like the logo of Kansas City Chiefs. You can try different font styles to see what complements the iconography. The text should be bold, as it works well for sports logos, but the style should also align with the team’s personality.
Once you’ve put down a rough sketch, the next step is to review those sketches and identify 2-3 concepts that best represent the team. You can show the short-listed designs to key stakeholders (team members, coaches, local community leaders, or even a focus group of fans) to get their feedback.
Once you get the feedback, you can make adjustments based on it. This could involve refining the color palette, adjusting typography, or reworking certain elements to enhance symbolism. Here’s how you can refine your logo after the initial design stage:
Ensure the font matches the team’s character. Test different font styles (e.g., bold, italic, serif, sans-serif) to see which complements the iconography and overall tone. You also have to pay attention to kerning (spacing between letters) and alignment of the text to ensure that the typography is legible at different sizes and integrates smoothly with the rest of the design.
The next step in concept refinement is the adjustment of the color palette by selecting the main colors that represent the team and the local area. Ensure these colors are bold and easily recognizable.
Choose secondary colors that complement the primary ones. These can be used in smaller details or alternate logo versions (for example, black-and-white variations). Make sure the colors are visually appealing. Try different combinations to ensure the logo remains vibrant and cohesive.
Ensure there is enough contrast between the elements so that the logo remains clear and legible from a distance or when placed on various backgrounds (like jerseys or banners). The different elements of the logo should be well-balanced, whether you’re using an emblem, shield, or circular design, the proportions should feel cohesive and visually satisfying.
Make sure to adjust the placement of each element—whether the text is centered or aligned to the side or whether certain shapes are in harmony with others. Proper alignment ensures that the logo feels stable and professional.
Here is your moment of truth. Once you have a winning concept, refine it into a polished design. Pay close attention to details like spacing, proportions, and balance to ensure a clean, professional look.
You also have to solidify the color scheme, ensuring the colors work together harmoniously and represent both the team and the local region. This is done by creating variations of the logo in full color, monochrome, and grayscale for versatility. Limit the number of colors to ensure the design is clean and not overwhelming. Most successful football logos stick to 2-4 colors. These colors should harmonize and create visual contrast while still being representative of the team and region.
Here, you should also test how the logo looks in different sizes and formats—from small jersey patches to large billboards. Make sure it remains recognizable and impactful at all scales. Test how the logo looks on different colored backgrounds—light, dark, or patterned. Ensure the design remains clear and doesn’t lose its identity or contrast, regardless of the background it’s placed on.
The final step in the whole logo design process is the rollout of the final design. Unveil the logo to the fans in an exciting way, such as through social media, a press release, or a fan event. Share the story behind the design to deepen fan engagement and create an emotional connection with the new logo. Create a compelling story that explains the journey from idea to final design. For example, if the logo includes a specific animal or shape, explain why it was chosen and what it represents for the team.
The logo reveal shouldn’t be a sudden drop. You should build anticipation by teasing the new logo before the official reveal. This can include cryptic social media posts with parts of the logo blurred, countdowns, or videos showcasing the creative process behind the scenes.
You can also partner with local influencers, team alumni, or famous supporters to create buzz on social media. Let them share their excitement about the upcoming reveal, fostering curiosity and engagement within the community.
One of the most popular ways to reveal a new football logo is to unveil it on the team’s jerseys. Have players model the new uniforms with the logo on them, allowing fans to see how the design works in action. For example, Houston Texans rebranded their jersey and revealed the new design on their social media. The post revealing the new designs included all their main players wearing the new colors.
A logo has to form an emotional connection with the fans. Therefore, you should keep the fans involved, along with other stakeholders, throughout the design process, from the conception to the logo unveiling.
If you’re worried about how to make a team logo that makes you stand out, you should follow the structured process mentioned in this blog. You can also contact professionals Like PNC Logos to get this task done for you. We know the ins and outs of good team logos, so we will ensure that your logo design is thoughtful, deliberate, and deeply connected to both the team and its fanbase.
Read moreWhat is that one logo you see the most number of times during a day? It has to be Google’s. After all, we use the company’s email address for communication, Drive to store our photos, search engine to look up things on the internet, Docs to write stuff, Store to download apps, Calendar for reminders, and the list literally goes on. We look at our smartphones multiple times during a day, and every time we do that, there’s a good chance we get a peek at Google’s G. We have seen many changes in Google logos through the years, but their iconic colors and consistency means that they are instantly recognizable and etched on our minds.
Google’s logo is one of the most-seen logos worldwide, as it appears every time someone uses the Google search engine. The simplicity of the logo’s design and its vibrant colors and familiar layout makes it easy for people to recognize and remember the logo. The simplicity also makes it versatile, as it can be used across multiple formats and screen sizes.
The Google logo has undergone significant transformations over the years, yet it has always maintained a distinct identity that is instantly recognizable worldwide. Let’s explore some of the key features that have contributed to its enduring popularity:
The typography of Google logos over time has changed, but at the same time, it also remained consistent, ensuring a sense of familiarity. The serif and sans-serif fonts have given the logo a clean, modern, and aesthetic look.
Google transitioned from a serif-based font to a sans-serif font in its logo in 2015. The current logo uses a custom, geometric sans-serif font, making it appear modern, minimalistic, and clean. This simplicity enhances its readability and adaptability across different platforms, from small mobile screens to large displays like PCs and smart TVs.
Unlike logos that rely on icons or symbols, Google’s wordmark logo relies on its name, making it easier to recognize and remember. The clean and consistent font treatment ensures clarity and instant recognition.
The best thing about Google logo evolution is the consistency of the color palette. The use of vibrant primary colors — blue, red, yellow, and green — is one of the most recognizable features of the Google logo. The playful color choice reflects Google’s emphasis on creativity and innovation. Each letter in the logo is assigned a specific color, with blue for “G” and “g,” red and yellow for “o”s, green for “l,” and red for “e.” The use of green, an unexpected deviation from the primary colors, adds a sense of uniqueness.
The use of these colors evokes a sense of simplicity, fun, and approachability, aligning with Google’s user-friendly nature.
Google logo changes have been frequent, yet it remains one of the most recognizable logos of all time. When we talk about these changes, we mean the Google Doodles. We all love those funky iterations of the Google logo for important occasions. Even though the doodles are temporary, they have given us some of the most recognizable logos of all time.
These Doodles keep the brand dynamic and engaging while retaining its recognizable feel. This helps Google stand out as a brand that’s fun, celebrates current events and commemorates historic days, without losing its core identity.
There have been several changes to Google logos over time. Some of them have been quite stark, but there have also been a few subtle changes here and there. However, the typography and color scheme have largely stayed the same.
Before Google became Google, it was called “BackRub” because it started as a research project by Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Stanford University in 1996. The name “BackRub” referred to the way the search engine operated. It focused on “backlinks” to measure the importance and relevance of websites. The concept of ranking based on backlinks was one of the key innovations that made Google’s search algorithm more effective than competitors at the time.
Only a year later, the first Google logo was designed in a form whose glimpses are still seen in today’s logo.
The first logo of Google in 1997 featured the word “Google” in a simple serif font. The colors were green, yellow, red, and blue. Google’s original logo reflected the company’s early days as a research project, emphasizing its playful and experimental nature. Despite its simplicity, the logo was highly memorable and helped to establish Google’s brand identity.
The second Google logo in 1998 was not much different than the first one. But there was one big difference in the end – an exclamation mark. It featured a serif typeface (Baskerville Bold) with an exclamation point at the end, mimicking Yahoo!’s logo style. The two “O”s in the word “Google” became a distinctive element of the Google logo.
The logo retained the original color palette of green, yellow, red, and blue. This playful and vibrant color scheme helped to establish Google’s brand identity and made it stand out from competitors.
While the overall design was similar to the first logo, the second version was slightly more readable and easier to recognize. This improvement was likely due to minor adjustments to the font and spacing.
The second serif logo served as a foundation for the evolution of the Google logo, as its simple design and recognizable elements laid the groundwork for the logo’s future iterations.
The third serif Google logo is said to be a significant step forward in the company’s visual identity. The designers simplified the typography, and the font used was a cleaner and more modern serif typeface compared to the earlier logos. Also, the exclamation mark was dropped.
The logo maintained the same color scheme of green, yellow, red, and blue, but the shades were slightly adjusted for a more balanced appearance. The overall design was more legible and easier to recognize, making it more suitable for various applications, from websites to merchandise.
If you create a Google logo timeline to track the changes to its design over the years, there won’t be any activity between 1999 and 2010. It was because Google’s distinct logo had already become immediately recognizable, setting it apart from other tech companies. As the company rapidly gained popularity, users became familiar with the brand, and there was no need to overhaul or drastically alter the logo. During this period, Google was more focused on expanding its product offerings, including launching services like Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Ads. The company prioritized innovation in technology and user experience rather than investing heavily in rebranding efforts.
After this period, the logo was tweaked; however, it was not a redesign but rather an adjustment of the colors. The change of color saturation in Google’s 2010 logo was a subtle yet meaningful adjustment that modernized the look of the logo without altering its core design. A subtle shadow was added to the logo, creating a sense of depth and dimension. This helped to make the logo stand out against different backgrounds.
There was also a technical reason behind this color readjustment.
As users’ preferences evolved over time, more people started accessing Google on a variety of devices with different screen qualities (e.g., smartphones, tablets, and high-resolution displays), Google wanted its logo to be optimized for all screens. The more vibrant colors stood out better on both older and newer devices, making the logo look sharper and more consistent across different platforms.
Google’s 2013 logo marked a significant shift in the company’s visual identity, aligning with the broader design trends of the time, particularly the rise of flat design.
Prior to 2013, the Google logo had slight shading and beveled edges, giving it some sort of a 3D effect. This design reflected the common use of gradients and depth in web design during the 2000s. In the 2013 redesign, these elements were removed. The logo was flattened, with all shadows and 3D effects eliminated. This shift made the logo appear simpler and more modern.
While the basic color scheme (blue, red, yellow, green) remained unchanged, the saturation of the colors was adjusted. They became slightly brighter and more vibrant, ensuring a clean, crisp look without the need for embellishments like shadows.
The spacing between the letters (kerning) was subtly refined to improve legibility and balance, especially on smaller screens, which were becoming more critical with the rapid growth of mobile internet use.
In 2015, Google made one of its most significant visual identity changes by introducing a complete revamp of its full logo. The shift to a sans-serif font marked a major turning point in the company’s branding, reflecting its evolution into a diversified technology giant and its focus on delivering a seamless user experience across all platforms.
The new sans-serif font, Product Sans, is geometric, simple, and clean, making it much easier to read and scale across various devices and screen sizes, from tiny app icons to large billboards. It offers clarity and readability in modern digital contexts, including mobile apps, websites, and digital assistants like Google Home.
The old logo, with its serif font and slight beveling, represented the early days of the web, where more ornate, decorative fonts were common. By 2015, design trends had shifted towards minimalism and flat design, focusing on clean lines, simplicity, and functional elegance.
A look at Google logos through the years shows that each version reflects a different stage in the company’s growth, but the core colors and playful spirit remain central to its identity. The major shift to a sans-serif font in 2015 reflects the company’s maturity and adaptability to an increasingly mobile and digital world. Despite all the changes, the logo remained instantly recognizable. This enduring appeal can be attributed to the logo’s simplicity, playfulness, and adaptability. By maintaining a consistent visual identity while incorporating subtle changes over time, Google has created a logo that is not only instantly recognizable but also reflects the company’s values and mission.
Read moreIf you have a job that is, in any way, related to content, you must have heard people telling you left, right, and center to create videos. People are making them, social media platforms are supporting them, marketers are pushing them, and users are consuming them. And it’s not only about videos but also about the type of videos too. The debate of short-form vs long-form video is the one that has kept people divided. Everyone has their own idea of what works better and what brings more engagement.
It is no secret that demand for video content has boomed in the last few years. Hubspot says that the number of digital video viewers worldwide is more than 3.3 billion. More than 2.6 billion people watch videos on YouTube every month. Around 97.8% of internet users in the US aged 18 to 24 say they watch videos.
The love for video cuts across the generation divide.
As per Synthesia.io, Millennials and Gen Z watch more video content than Gen X and Baby Boomers. More than half of Boomers, 54%, watch videos online. Basically, people love videos, that’s why creators are creating them. Some people love short videos, while others have an attention span long enough to sit through a longer version.
While the debate of long-form vs short-form content is not expected to end anytime soon, creators should look to cash in on this video bonanza. The idea is to find the right content and length that sits with your audience.
Video content has clear advantages over other types of content because it combines images, movement, sound, and storytelling, making it more dynamic and engaging than static text or images.
A scientific angle to this advantage is that viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to only 10% when reading text. This is because visual and audio content combined makes information easier to digest and remember.
This interest in video content is also fueled by the rise of smartphones. Now, the algorithms of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok prioritize video content because it increases user engagement and keeps people on the platform longer. This intensive video consumption is also driven by decreasing attention spans. Content creators and brands are aware of this fact, and they are doubling down on videos to effectively convey their message.
Now the question is, what will work for you? Short-form video or long-form video. The answer to this is based on multiple factors. But first, let’s understand the two formats and what they are best for.
These videos are typically under 60 seconds. They are produced particularly for social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat. Quick, attention-grabbing, often humorous, and trending, these videos focus on delivering a clear, concise message in a short span of time.
There are multiple reasons why short-form content is so popular among users and why creators are more focused on producing it.
Immediate engagement: They have the power to quickly grab attention due to their short length. Users don’t have to wait long to get the crux of the message. These videos are ideal for delivering a single, focused idea or message without overwhelming the audience.
Viral potential: Short-form videos are more likely to go viral because they are easily shareable and fit seamlessly into social media consumption patterns. These videos often leverage trends, challenges, or memes, making the content relatable and relevant to a wider audience.
Low production cost: The shorter time frame means that short-form video production is easier and less costly. It also doesn’t require an elaborate set, making it more accessible for brands.
The length of these videos is over two minutes, with many long-form videos stretching up to 10 minutes or more. Common examples of these types of videos are tutorials, documentaries, vlogs, or webinars. This form of content is ideal for YouTube, Facebook, and video streaming services. It can also be used on a brand’s website or for email marketing because its in-depth, detailed, and often educational or storytelling-based content can deliver a comprehensive message.
In-depth exploration: These videos allow brands to explore topics more thoroughly, provide detailed explanations, or tell complete stories.
The element of engagement: While short-form videos capture fleeting attention, long-form videos engage viewers who are genuinely interested in learning more about the issue of the product at hand.
Expertise and authority: Long videos are ideal for thought leadership, education, and authority-building in an industry. This is because the viewers perceive long-form videos as more substantial and having information about relatively more serious topics.
Higher production value: Making long-form videos usually involves more planning, scripting, and editing, resulting in polished, professional content. That’s why long-form video production is more time-consuming and expensive.
When deciding whether to create short-form or long-form videos, it’s essential to carefully consider your marketing goals, target audience, and the nature of your content.
Short-form video marketing and long-form video marketing have different goals and can achieve distinct objectives. For example, short-form videos are ideal for goals like increasing brand awareness, driving engagement, and boosting virality. These videos capture attention quickly and are perfect for top-of-funnel activities. They are best if you want to create quick, digestible content to introduce your brand, tease new products, or participate in trends.
Long-form videos are best suited for building authority, educating your audience, nurturing leads, and fostering deeper connections. It works well for mid-to-bottom-funnel goals, like product explanations or thought leadership. They are ideal if you have to explain complex ideas, build trust, or provide value through in-depth content.
Short-form videos are often preferred by younger audiences who have shorter attention spans and are more accustomed to consuming content in bite-sized pieces. Long-form videos may be more appealing to older audiences or professionals who are seeking more in-depth information and are willing to invest time in content.
If your target audience is primarily active on fast-paced, trend-driven platforms and enjoys quick entertainment or brief educational insights, short form videos are the ideal content for them.
Long-form videos are suitable for audiences seeking in-depth content or detailed information. If you are creating content about thought leadership, deeper learning, or product demonstrations that take time to explain, you can use this video format.
The platform is a big consideration when choosing between long and short-form videos. It depends upon the platform on which your target audience is based, and that will tell you whether you should opt for shorter, bite-size, and crisp videos or go for the long-form explainers.
Short-form videos such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat are optimized for quick viewing. These platforms promote fast engagement and sharing, and if your primary audience is highly active on short-form video platforms, you would want to cater to their needs by capitalizing on viral trends and producing shorter videos.
Long-form videos work on YouTube, LinkedIn, or Facebook, which support detailed and longer-viewing content. If your audience consumes content more thoroughly, you should use longer videos to provide deeper value through extended engagement.
Short-form videos are perfect for showcasing products or providing quick tips in a concise and engaging manner. Long-form videos are better suited for providing detailed instructions, complex explanations, or in-depth product reviews. They can also be used to create immersive narratives or documentaries that offer a deeper dive into a particular topic.
The content frequency is also a big consideration when choosing between the two video formats. Short-form videos are easier to produce and distribute consistently, allowing for a higher content frequency to stay in front of your audience regularly.
Long-form videos need more resources (time, effort, production costs) but provide more value in one sitting. So, if you are planning to create less frequent but more substantial, higher-quality content that delivers greater insights or in-depth education, then long form video is a better option.
Irrespective of what video format you choose, there is a set template for each one of them to help you create content that has an element of virality to it and also boosts your engagement and achieves marketing goals.
Short-form videos must hook viewers immediately. Start with a striking visual, an intriguing question, or a bold statement. The game is all about keeping the viewer hooked, so use dynamic visuals, fast cuts, or text overlays to engage them from the outset.
There’s not much room content-wise when it comes to short-form video content. After all, how many issues can you cover in 10 to 15 seconds? So, keep the content concise and focused on one core idea or message. Overloading viewers with too much information in a short video can dilute its impact. For example, use these videos to showcase one key product feature or highlight a single promotion.
Virality is one of the biggest deciding factors in the debate of short-form vs long-form videos. Short-form videos could be your ticket to go viral. So, participate in trends or create branded challenges to increase shareability and engagement, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Use calls to action (CTA) that prompt viewers to comment, like, share, or participate in the conversation. Interactive elements like polls or questions can also boost engagement.
As many as 85% of viewers watch videos with their sound off. This makes subtitles extremely important. So, include text or captions to ensure your message is delivered regardless of audio. Also, nobody is watching Reels on a desktop; they are doing it on their smartphones. So, ensure that your videos are shot and edited vertically (9:16 ratio) for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Snapchat.
Storytelling is key to holding the viewer’s attention in long-form video content. Whether it’s an educational tutorial, a brand story, or a case study, structure your video with a clear beginning, middle, and end. For example, start with a hook (e.g., problem introduction), provide a solution or demonstration, and end with a strong call-to-action.
Long-form videos should dive deeper into topics, offering value through education, entertainment, or detailed product explanations. Viewers should feel they’re gaining significant insights or information.
Keeping the audience hooked to your video is important in long-form content as well. So, break down your videos into digestible parts. Use chapter markers, on-screen titles, or bullet points to make navigation easier for the audience. For example, you can segment a 20-minute tutorial into 4 chapters: introduction, feature explanation, use cases, and conclusion.
While the debate of short-form vs long-form video might never settle, there is no denying that both are important in today’s world with a never-ending demand for video content. They both differ in their characteristics and the different marketing goals they help achieve, but they can be mixed for optimum results. By combining both formats, marketers can target different stages of the customer journey, ensuring maximum engagement and results.
Read moreDo you remember the time when only a website for your business was considered a benchmark of success? Yes, me neither. Today, having a website means nothing. It’s not even a drop in a digital ocean where there are 1.09 billion websites. Here, more websites get lost than created. Nowadays, going live with your website is a fraction of the job. You’ve done that, kudos. Now comes the bigger question: how to rank a new website.
Ranking a website on search engines is like being the person who brings snacks to a movie night. If you show up with everyone’s favorite popcorn, you’ll be the hero of the evening, and everyone will gather around you. But if you bring something like celery sticks, you might find yourself sitting alone on the couch. To be in the middle of the action, you need to bring the right snacks—or, in this case, rank high enough so everyone knows you’ve got what they want!
But if the answer to how to rank a new website on Google was as simple as which snacks to take to a movie, then everyone would be ranking on the first page in Google’s search results. But that is not happening. In this blog, we will look into the strategies that a new website should follow to rank higher on search engines.
Here are some quick tips for you to grab the top spot for your new website.
Keyword research is the first step in the process of ranking a website on Google. It is because of the way the search engine is structured. It matches the users’ queries with the relevant words in a website’s content and the closest match shows up higher in the results. By targeting these keywords, you can improve the chances of your website appearing in SERPs when people search for those terms.
Brainstorm Core keywords
With a new website, you should start by researching the most fundamental terms related to your website’s topic. For example, if your website is an e-commerce store that sells shoes, your core keywords might be “shoes,” “sneakers,” “boots,” “sandals,” “athletic footwear,” etc.
Core keywords are also called seed keywords and once you have identified your core keywords, turn them into long-tail keywords so that they match with the users’ queries. Long-tail keywords are specific phrases that include your core keywords and additional modifiers. For example, if “shoes” or “boots” is a core keyword, long-tail keywords could be “women’s running shoes,” “men’s leather boots,” “affordable sneakers,” “vegan leather sandals,” “waterproof hiking boots,” etc.
Utilize Keyword Research Tools
You can make use of keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz Keyword Explorer, and Ubersuggest for keyword suggestions based on your seed keywords, along with data on search volume, competition, and trends.
Choose keywords that have a reasonable search volume—enough to bring in traffic but not so high that the competition is overwhelming. You should also evaluate how difficult it would be to rank for each keyword. For a new website, it’s often better to target lower-difficulty, long-tail keywords (specific, multi-word phrases) that are less competitive.
The answer to ‘how to rank a new website on Google faster’ is on-page SEO. A well-optimized website is like any drink on the Starbucks menu. They’re just too hard to resist.
Optimized Content
A fully on-page SEO-optimized website would have content that includes target keywords naturally. Produce high-quality, valuable, and appealing content that addresses the search intent of your target audience, and make sure your content is relevant to your chosen keywords and provides value to users.
Well-optimized content is divided into title tags, meta descriptions, and headers.
Title tag: It appears in search results. Due to limited character space on SERP, title tags should be concise and incorporate your target keyword.
Meta description: It is a short summary of your page’s content. It should make users click on your link and include your target keyword.
Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.): These tags are used to structure your content and make it easier for both search engines and users to understand. The H1 tag is typically the main title of your page and should include your target keyword.
Image Optimization
On-page optimization also includes image optimization. It basically means that your images should be of the correct dimension and not very heavy in size. By doing that, you can lessen the image load time and speed up your website.
Also, use descriptive file names for all your images and include alt text to describe the image content and improve accessibility.
If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, take advantage of SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to help with on-page optimization.
As the name shows, technical optimization works on a deeper and more complex level to ensure that your website functions smoothly and loads faster. Simply put, technical SEO makes it easier for websites to crawl your content and rank it.
Website Structure and Architecture
Ensure that search engines can access and crawl all important pages on your site. Avoid dead ends where search engines can’t follow links to other content. It is also important for your website to be structured in a way that makes sense to both users and search engines. Use a clear hierarchy with categories, subcategories, and individual pages. Create SEO-friendly URLs that are descriptive, short, and include relevant keywords. Avoid the usage of long strings of numbers or random characters.
Mobile-First Optimization
The answer to the question ‘how to rank a new website’ is mobile optimization. Today, most searches are made through mobile phones, and your website is as good as useless if it doesn’t seamlessly load on smaller screens.
Your website’s design should be responsive, meaning it adjusts to fit different screen sizes, especially mobile devices. You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to verify your website’s mobile compatibility.
Page Speed Optimization
This is another important aspect of technical SEO. It is done by reducing the image size, simplifying coding, and using caches. Make sure to reduce the file size of images without compromising quality and remove unnecessary characters (like whitespace) from CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files. You should also leverage browser caching to store static assets locally, thus reducing loading times.
XML Sitemap and Robot.txt
Now, we are entering more depths of technical SEO. These terms are complicated, I agree but if you want to learn how to rank a new website on Google, you will have to understand them. An XML sitemap is a list of all your website’s URLs that you submit to Google Search Console. This helps search engines comprehend your website’s structure and ensures all pages are indexed.
A robots.txt file manages which pages or parts of your website search engines should or should not crawl. It is basically a gateway into your website, which you should implement. However, it is important to ensure that you’re not accidentally blocking important pages (like your homepage or blog posts) from being crawled.
Website security
This is the most important aspect of technical SEO. A secure website has a higher possibility of ranking among the top SERP results.
SSL Certificate: Obtain and install an SSL certificate to shift your site from HTTP to HTTPS. This encrypts data between the server and the user, enhancing security.
HTTPS as a Ranking Factor: Google treats HTTPS as a ranking signal, so securing your website can give you a boost in search rankings. It is an official Google ranking factor, and the search engine takes it very seriously. To secure your website, you can obtain and install an SSL certificate to switch your site from HTTP to HTTPS. This encrypts data between the server and the user, enhancing security.
Link building is an effective practice of obtaining high-quality incoming links to your site from other authoritative websites. It’s a crucial aspect of SEO, as search engines consider backlinks as a signal of a website’s authority and relevance.
Creating quality content that is useful, informative, and shareable is a sure-shot way of getting other websites to link to your website. This could be blog posts, infographics, videos, guides, or original research.
When trying to acquire backlinks, remember that the quality of the website linking to you is more important than the quantity. Backlinks from reputable, authoritative websites carry more weight. Backlinks from sites related to your industry or niche are more valuable, and the text used to anchor the link should be relevant to your website’s content and have your target keywords.
A new website should definitely leverage the power of social media to promote its content and acquire backlinks. Distribute your content across social media channels to increase visibility. The more people who see and share your content, the higher the chance it will be linked to others. Responding to messages and comments to develop relationships with your followers and taking part in online communities and forums linked to your industry are also some of the ways you can promote your content on social media.
Another thing you must do is to identify broken links on other websites using online tools. These could be links to pages that no longer exist or have moved. Once you have identified them, contact the website owner and politely suggest replacing the broken link with a link to your relevant content.
A good user experience (UX) in terms of a new website means that the site is easy to navigate and offers value to its users.
Start by researching your target audience and create detailed user personas that outline their needs, preferences, and behaviors. You can conduct surveys, interviews, or competitor analysis to understand what your audience expects from a website like yours.
Based on the input, design a simple, logical menu that categorizes content in an easy-to-understand manner. Avoid cluttering the navigation bar with too many options. You should also implement breadcrumbs to help users understand where they are on the site and how to navigate back to previous pages.
In terms of design, use a consistent color scheme, typography, and layout across all pages to create a cohesive look and feel. Don’t overcrowd your pages; use whitespace to make content more readable and to focus users’ attention on key elements. Organize content with clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make it easy to scan.
The process of optimizing a new website for it to grab a top spot in search engine results is long and the progress is often slow. While you are working hard on SEO, you are bound to think about how long does it take Google to rank a new website.
In this last part, we will answer this question.
Ranking a new website on search engines typically could take anything from two months to a year. This time can vary for websites, and it is based on factors like industry keyword difficulty, competition, and the quality of your SEO efforts. Consistent optimization and quality content can help speed up the process.
So, the answer to the question of how long does it take to rank a new website depends on how well-crafted your SEO strategy is. A good plan, which is based on competitors’ analysis and audience feedback and incorporates SEO best practices, is bound to give better results earlier than an SEO effort without a plan.
If anyone tells you they have a shortcut to rank your new website high on search engines soon, don’t believe them. The hard truth is that this is a long process that takes time before you can see results. What you could do is set clear goals and use result-oriented strategies to achieve them. Stick to a plan and you yourself will get an answer to the question: how to rank a new website.
Read moreA logo is essentially the face of any brand which strives for longevity and loyalty. Over time, the logo is etched on consumers’ minds and becomes synonymous with the ‘brand identity’. Logos come in all shapes, sizes and designs, but very few have the impact of a wordmark logo.
I mean imagine that you want your customers to never forget you and immediately recall your brand when they see its logo. What else is the best way to make people remember your brand other than reinforcing its name in their minds again and again? What else would a customer recall when he sees the Coca-Cola logo? I mean, it’s Coca-Cola written right there on the logo. The popular beverage company can’t go wrong with this.
Let me tell you that businesses are aware of the massive recognition potential of wordmark logos. Hence, it is among the most popular logo designs all over the world.
According to research by Website Planet, out of the top Fortune 500 companies, 31% or 155 of them have a wordmark logo. The design is the second most popular logo type after combination logo – having both wordmark and graphics – which is used by 61% of the Fortune 500 companies as their brand identity.
Now, before we dive into the whats and Whys, let’s first look at what a wordmark logo is.
The wordmark logo definition is simple. It is a type of logo whose distinctive design is centered around displaying a company’s name or initials using a unique and visually appealing typographic style. Unlike other logos, wordmarks consist solely of text, without additional graphical elements.
There is no difference between a wordmark and logotype design. Designers use both these terms interchangeably to describe the same type of logo – the one which only contains the brand’s name and not any icon or graphics.
Follow these key tips to make a mark with your wordmark logo!
Simplicity is a crucial principle in logo design, particularly for wordmarks, as it directly impacts a logo’s memorability, versatility, and timelessness. A simple wordmark logo allows for instant recognition, easy scalability, and effective communication of the brand’s message. Another consideration for you has to be the logo’s scalability. It should be simple enough to remain legible and recognizable at very small sizes, such as on a mobile screen or a business card. At the same time, the design should also look clean and professional when scaled up for larger applications like billboards or signage.
Unlike combination marks or emblems, wordmarks should rely solely on text. Refrain from adding icons or symbols that could clutter the design. Sometimes, we tend to overcomplicate the wordmark logo idea that is in our mind, and this complication mostly backfires as it ruins the aesthetics of a logo and evokes a negative reaction from people. The logo of the 2012 London Olympics is a perfect example of that. According to a BBC survey, almost 80% of people either “disliked” or “hated” the logo.
If your brand leans more traditional or elegant, a simple serif font with clean lines can maintain simplicity while adding a touch of sophistication. In that case, you should refrain from using effects like drop shadows, embossing, or 3D effects. These can detract from the simplicity and clarity of the wordmark.
In a wordmark logo, you only have the text to play with and demonstrate your creativity. Some people believe that wordmark logos don’t have a lot of room for experimentation, but this is not quite right. If you are a skillful designer, you can use the wordmark font to create a visually appealing and memorable design.
It only involves understanding the nuances of different typefaces, their historical context, and how they can be used to express specific emotions or messages. Each font design possesses unique characteristics that contribute to its overall appearance and feel. Some of the key features are:
Serif fonts: They have small lines or strokes attached to the ends of larger strokes in letters. They convey a sense of tradition, reliability, and formality. For example, Times New Roman, Garamond, Baskerville, etc.
Sans-serif fonts: These fonts lack the small strokes at the ends of letters, giving them a clean, modern look. They are often more readable on screens. For example, Helvetica, Arial, Futura, etc.
Script fonts: These fonts are designed to mimic cursive handwriting, often featuring flowing, connected letters. They range from elegant to playful. For example, Pacifico, Brush Script, Lobster, etc.
Display fonts: These are decorative and often used for headings or logos rather than body text. They are designed to attract attention and convey specific themes or emotions. For example, Impact, Cooper Black, etc.
Monospaced fonts: In monospaced fonts, each character occupies the same amount of horizontal space. This uniformity can give a technical, retro feel. For example, Courier, Consolas, Monaco, etc.
Handwritten fonts: This type of font mimics the natural look of handwriting, varying widely in style. They can be informal, playful, or elegant. For example, Alex Brush, Indie Flower, Dancing Script, etc.
To ensure harmony between your logo’s font and brand identity, you will first have to identify the core values and mission of the brand and your audience demographic. For example, if your target audience is across age groups, you should go for a minimalist logo design, as research has found that “all age groups have a positive attitude toward minimalism”.
If you’re designing a wordmark logo, it doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with color. However, compared to an icon or pictorial logo, the space to experiment with colors is a bit limited. Therefore, you have to be strategic in the use of colors. In this way, you can use colors as a tool for conveying your brand’s identity, evoking emotions, and influencing consumer perceptions.
Each color carries distinct psychological and cultural connotations, making the choice of colors crucial in aligning a logo with a brand’s message and values. This is where color psychology comes in. It is the study of how colors can influence human behavior, emotions, and perceptions. Brands often leverage color psychology to create a strong emotional connection with their target audience.
Kerning and spacing are crucial aspects of wordmark logo design, directly affecting the readability, balance, and overall visual appeal of the logo. Kerning refers to the adjustment of space between individual letters in a wordmark.
Proper kerning in a wordmark logo ensures that letters don’t appear too crowded or too far apart, which is essential for maintaining readability, especially at smaller sizes. Poor kerning can lead to misinterpretation of the text or make it difficult to read.
Spacing or tracking is the uniform adjustment of space across all letters in a wordmark. Consistent spacing ensures that the wordmark appears harmonious and easy to read, without any awkward gaps or overly tight clusters.
Proper kerning and spacing contribute to the visual balance of the wordmark. They ensure that the letters appear evenly distributed, creating a sense of cohesion and order. This balance is crucial for making the logo aesthetically pleasing and professional.
To get this right, designers must consider the proportion of the letters and their spacing. For instance, letters like “T” and “A” may require different kerning adjustments than “O” and “L” due to their varying shapes. Achieving proportionality between these letters prevents any visual tension or imbalance in the design.
Here are some of the best wordmark logos that have managed to stand out among their competition thanks to their ingenious design and memorability.
FedEx has a wordmark logo design which uses negative space to give an abstract idea of an arrow. The design has so far received more than 40 awards and has been featured in the list of eight best logos in the world for the past 35 years.
Coca-Cola is another brand with a popular wordmark logo. The logo had remained more or less intact for the past 135 years, with a few changes here and there. However, the popular beverage company never chose a design other than a wordmark logo. It is also hands down one of the most recognized logos all over the world, with 94% of the population instantly able to recall the iconic red and white logo.
The popular search engine’s logo has to be the OG wordmark logo. The simple sans-serif font and colorful typography have become synonymous with the search engine giant. There’s no chance of people forgetting this logo as Google.com is visited by 8.5 billion users to search for everything from a definition to how to build a space rocket every day.
Another logo which is in front of our eyes most of the time. The logo of Uber is a simple, sans-serif font, and the black and white color scheme conveys a sense of professionalism and reliability.
Creating an iconic wordmark logo that is instantly recognized by consumers requires a thoughtful approach that balances simplicity, uniqueness, and relevance to the brand. This is possible by following the best practices of a wordmark logo design. And this is what we do at PNC logos. Our team is well-equipped with the expertise needed to help you engrave your logo on the minds of your customers. So, if you are a beginner who is planning to use the power of a wordmark logo to make a mark or are an established setup looking to shift towards the wordmark side to stand out, contact us today. We will smartly use text to create a memorable logo that will surely make your brand a household name.
Read moreWhen do you open Google Maps? Probably when you’re lost in a new area and want to find the way to your destination. Or when you are running late for work and want to see how the traffic is on the route you take daily to reach the workplace. Most, if not all of us, use Google Maps as they are intended to be used – for navigation. We never look at it and think about how to rank higher on Google Maps.
But you should.
Google Maps SEO is as important as trying to rank higher on Google Search results. Like every other platform owned by Alphabet, Google Maps is also a behemoth – both in terms of active users and number of searches.
It has over 1 billion monthly active users and operates in more than 200 countries.
Ranking on Google Maps is important because Google Maps has evolved from purely a navigation tool to a powerful local search engine, thanks to several key features. Let’s look at them:
The information available on Google Maps has moved beyond basic addresses. Google My Business profiles allow businesses to create comprehensive listings with descriptions, photos, menus, operating hours, and even customer offers. This wealth of information empowers users to research and compare options directly within Maps.
Google Maps has given users immense liberty in terms of what they can search for. You don’t need to enter a specific location to get answers, pop literally anything into the search bar, and it will take you somewhere. Say you are in a new area and want to find the nearest bank but don’t know its name, just write “banks” in the search bar, and you’ll get a listing of all the establishments in the city. This built-in search function makes Maps a one-stop shop for local needs.
Again, without any specific location in mind, you can open Google Maps and trust it to find the best place for you. This is done with the help of filters. Suppose you are planning to eat out, you can narrow down your options by applying filters like cuisine type for restaurants, price range, or customer ratings. The platform also has integrated reviews that provide valuable insights from other customers, helping users to make better decisions.
If mere filtering by rating, cuisine, and reviews is not enough, and you want to look at the ambiance, you can virtually explore places on Google Maps. Street View lets users see a location’s exterior, while Indoor Maps (for specific locations) allow them to navigate complex buildings like malls or airports. This visual element enhances exploration and decision-making.
Google Maps also works like the Bookmark feature on X or your personal Notepad app in the way that it can curate lists of popular places or businesses that you like, visit frequently, or would want to visit.
Then there are a number of other features like real-time information and updates like traffic data and integration with other Google products that make it much more than a navigation tool.
Whenever a person searches for a business, the first results that Google shows are of similar establishments in the user’s vicinity. Now, there must be multiple businesses offering similar services, so Google uses a complex algorithm to determine SERP rankings for those businesses. These results are primarily based on three factors:
How well a business profile matches the user’s search query is crucial. This is determined by analyzing the business listing’s name, category, and description. Google advises businesses to keep their listings optimized with relevant keywords that users might search for.
The second and probably the most important factor is the physical proximity of a business to the user’s location. It plays a significant role as businesses closer to the user’s search origin or specified location tend to rank higher. For example, if someone searches for “pizza near me,” Google prioritizes nearby pizza places over high-end pizzerias further away.
Google also looks at the business’s reputation and overall web presence to determine its position on the SERP. According to Google’s own guidelines, a complete, informative, and well-maintained profile with high-quality photos and accurate information signals a trustworthy business.
Positive reviews and high star ratings also improve a business’s prominence. Proprietors can further boost their online reputation by responding to reviews and increase customer engagement by responding to and addressing their concerns.
Citations – how many times the business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are mentioned across the web, particularly local directories and high-authority websites – also improve the SERP rankings. Businesses should get consistent NAP citations to strengthen a business’s online presence. Also, having backlinks from relevant websites to your business website indicates credibility and boosts prominence.
Now, let’s tackle the most important question: how to rank on Google Maps. We have already laid the groundwork to convince you why you should have a presence on the platform. Now, let’s look at ways that are actually effective to give your Google Maps listing a high visibility.
This is the first step to ensuring a visible presence on Google Maps. Start by creating a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) and meticulously fill out all the details. Include your accurate and consistent business name, address, and phone number (NAP). NAP consistency across the web is crucial for Google to recognize your legitimacy.
The first step is to register your business on Google Maps. Go to ‘Add your business’ on the Google Maps app to start the process.
Or you can enter your business name in the search bar and if your business exists, you’ll see it listed. Click “Claim this business” and follow the on-screen prompts.
Craft a compelling description that highlights your unique selling points and choose relevant categories that accurately reflect your business. You can also add high-quality photos that showcase your storefront, team, products, or services in a visually appealing way.
To optimize your profile, you’ll have to select the primary category that best defines your business and add relevant secondary categories if applicable. Just like we write meta descriptions for web pages, you have to write a description (750 characters) highlighting your unique selling points and services. Use relevant keywords customers might use to find your business.
You can also add other details like operating hours, and special services like free Wi-Fi or disability access or family-friendly ambiance, etc.
The final step is to upload high-quality photos that showcase your storefront, team, products, or services and, most importantly, the logo. Make sure the images are optimized, as Google recommends a minimum resolution of 720×720 pixels and a file size between 10KB and 5MB.
Be it a website, social media, or even a Google Maps listing, there’s no better way to stamp your authority than reviews. Why? Because 88% of customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. If you want to work on a single-point agenda to improve your business ranking on Google Maps, it should be reviews.
You have to encourage satisfied customers to leave feedback by making the process simple and convenient. You can even automate the process by sending an email or SMS request to customers with a simple link to your Google Business Profile, where they can leave a review.
Users can also post videos and photographs with their reviews, so it works like e-user-generated content that promotes your business, and too, at zero cost.
Once they post the reviews, engage with them. Thank them for positive reviews and address any concerns raised by consumers in negative reviews. This will show that you care for what your customers think about your business and improve your brand image.
The answer to the question ‘how to increase ranking on Google Maps’ is local SEO. The idea here is to create a buzz about your business among customers who are in your vicinity. Google places huge importance on local SEO results and shows users the results that are relevant to them and near their locations.
You can weave local keywords in your business listing by making a mention of the area and the service you are offering. For example, the best bakery in the Bronx or 24-hour plumbing services in Orlando. Targeting local keywords helps Google understand your relevance to local searches.
By strategically using local keywords, you can:
Another benefit of Google Maps optimization is that it helps your business appear on the Google Map Pack on the SERP. Map Pack is a set of Google Maps results that appear on top when a user searches for a business or service in a specific area.
A Google Map Pack includes the name of your business, its address, direction, offering, ratings, and reviews. It will also show any images you might have added to your business profile.
Having local keywords can help Google understand your area of operation and you can feature in results for queries related to that area.
Another way to ace your local SEO is collaborating with local bloggers for guest posts. You can also sponsor a local event and get eyeballs by appearing on branding elements like social media posts, banners, and pamphlets. This creates goodwill and a sense of ownership among the community. Local blogs and news channels are also good marketing strategies to let people know about your business.
Once you have hit a cord with the local community, you can then share updates about your business, upcoming events, special offers, or new products. This demonstrates you’re active, keeps your profile fresh, and can spark interest among local users.
Maintaining a strong Google Maps presence is no longer optional for local businesses in today’s digital world. It’s like having a free, high-traffic storefront with prominent visibility for potential customers searching for businesses like yours in their local area. Positive reviews and a well-maintained profile build trust with potential customers, while responding to reviews and questions directly on Google Maps fosters engagement with a highly targeted audience.
We hope this blog has answered the ‘how to rank higher on Google Maps’ question for you. By following these tips, your business can leverage the power of Google Maps to attract more local customers, build brand loyalty, and ultimately drive growth.
Read moreWe all have seen a © sign in books, photographs, songs, paintings, and several other things that are original creations of an individual or a group. While encircled “c” might look small on huge posters and covers, it wields immense power. It is your safety net in case someone tries to steal your work. Like other works, a logo represents the image of any brand it is associated with, and the proprietors invest a lot of time, effort, and money to come up with a distinctive design. That’s why it is important to copyright logo design so that no one can reproduce it to sell a counterfeit and tarnish your brand’s reputation.
Not all companies have a logo design with copyright, but they are often eligible for copyright protection. In many countries, including the United States, copyright protection for a logo is automatic upon creation, provided the logo is an original work.
This means that as soon as a logo is designed and exists in a recorded form, it is automatically copyrighted. While a logo is automatically protected by copyright as soon as it is made, this protection is often referred to as “unregistered copyright.”
Unregistered copyright provides the owner with some legal rights, but these rights can be harder to enforce in court without formal registration.
Copyright is not just valid for logos for major companies that have a vast consumer base spread across multiple continents. Even a small family venture must have a copyright logo. It will guarantee that no one else promotes their business through your logo and avoid any confusion with your loyal customers.
Here are some reasons that should convince you to register a copyright for your logo and trademark other distinctive branding items:
A logo is the identity of a brand. It’s more than just a design; it’s a crucial part of a company’s image and reputation. By copyrighting a logo, a business legally protects its design as intellectual property, ensuring that it cannot be used without permission.
Copyrighting a logo deters others from using, copying, or modifying it without authorization. Unauthorized use can dilute the brand’s identity, create confusion in the market, and potentially divert customers away from the rightful owner.
If another entity uses copyrighted logo without permission, the copyright owner can take legal action. This includes seeking damages, requesting a court order to stop the infringement, and potentially recovering lost profits.
Copyright grants the owner exclusive rights to use, reproduce, and distribute the logo. This exclusivity is critical for maintaining brand integrity and ensuring that the logo is only associated with the products or services it was designed to represent.
A unique and well-protected logo contributes significantly to the value of a brand. Over time, as the brand grows and becomes more recognizable, the logo itself can become a valuable asset. Copyright protection helps safeguard this asset from being exploited by others.
Copyrighted logos can be licensed to other businesses or entities, creating additional revenue streams. For example, a company might license its logo to manufacturers who produce merchandise or other products. Copyright protection ensures that these licenses are respected and enforced.
Copyright laws in many countries recognize and protect logos, providing a framework for international protection. This is particularly important for businesses operating in multiple countries, ensuring that their logos are protected across different jurisdictions.
Copyrighting a logo helps avoid disputes over ownership and usage rights. Without copyright protection, a company might find itself embroiled in costly and time-consuming legal battles to prove that the logo is its original creation.
While companies have the right to claim copyright for their logos, not all can exercise this privilege. There are some parameters for a logo that can’t be copyrighted.
A logo must be sufficiently original to qualify for copyright protection. A copyright for logo design is not possible if it is too simple or common (e.g., a basic geometric shape or a generic image), and does not meet the originality requirement.
Logos composed of elements that are used in a particular industry or serve a purely functional purpose might not be eligible for copyright protection. These elements are often protected more effectively under trademark law.
While copyright protects the creative aspect of the logo, trademark law protects the logo in its commercial use. For instance, a logo that incorporates generic symbols might be copyrighted for its unique artistic expression but is better protected as a trademark in the context of its association with specific goods or services.
When discussing copyright and trademark, people always ask: Can a logo be copyrighted or trademarked? The answer is that though both protect intellectual property, they serve different purposes.
Think of copyright as a patent for your original idea expressed in a creative work. A trademark is like a flag you plant on your brand identity to claim ownership.
Copyright grants protection to the original expression of ideas and not the ideas themselves. It covers specific works like books, music, art, and software. These works are automatically copyrighted upon creation, but formal registration is recommended for stronger protection.
A painting created by an artist, such as “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, can be copyrighted. Copyright protection would cover the specific artistic expression in the painting, including its composition, colors, and the unique style of the artist.
The artist (or the copyright holder) has exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works based on the painting. Unauthorized reproduction or use of the painting without permission could be an infringement of the copyright.
Trademark protects brands, logos, and symbols that identify and distinguish goods or services in commerce. It requires registration with trademark authorities and must be actively used to maintain protection.
The Nike “Swoosh” is a distinctive logo used to identify Nike’s products and services. It serves as a powerful symbol of the brand’s identity and is recognized globally as a mark of quality and association with Nike. The logo has trademark protection, which grants Nike exclusive rights to use the “Swoosh” logo in connection with its goods and services. This means that no other company can use a similar design to confuse consumers. Trademark law prevents other businesses from using the logo or similar marks that could lead to brand dilution or confusion.
The process of registering a copyright in the U.S. involves determining eligibility, preparing and submitting an application, giving the fee, and waiting for processing. While copyright protection is often automatic upon creation, formal registration enhances protection and enforcement. In the U.S., the U.S. Copyright Office is responsible for registering copyrights and maintaining public records of copyright claims.
Here is a detailed process of how to register for a copyright business logo in the U.S. with the U.S. Copyright Office:
The first step to copyright your logo is ensuring that it qualifies for copyright protection. Once you have met the eligibility criteria, the next phase involves gathering the necessary information, like its title, creation, and publication dates, and the author or designer. This information is necessary for submitting your application, which can also be filed online. To get started with registering your work, log in to the Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) Registration System to fill out the application. Here’s how eCO will work:
Log in/create an account: Access the eCO system and create an account or log in.
Start a new registration: Select the type of work you are registering.
Fill out the application: Provide the required information about the work and the author(s). If you prefer or need to submit a paper application, you can use forms available on the U.S. Copyright Office website. However, this process is slower and more expensive.
The copyright fee varies depending on the type of work and the method of application. Online submissions typically have lower fees compared to paper submissions. As of the latest update, online registration fees start at $45 to $65 for a single work, while paper applications are more expensive with a fee of $125.
For online applications, you can upload a digital copy of the logo, while for certain types of works or, if required, you may need to mail a physical copy to the U.S. Copyright Office. The deposit requirement may vary depending on the type of work and whether it has been published.
Now that all formalities have been met, the U.S. Copyright Office will review your application and the submitted work. Online applications typically take a few months to process, while paper applications can take longer. If additional information is needed or if there are any issues, the office will contact you.
Once the application is approved, you will get an official certificate of registration. Congratulations! You now have a logo with copyright, and you have the benefits of registered copyright, including the right to claim damages and attorney’s fees in infringement cases.
Here are some of the most popular copyright logo examples:
Apple: The bitten apple is one of the most recognizable logo in the world. The company has specific guidelines for the licensee of Apple’s logo to protect its trademark and brand identity.
Nike: The Swoosh logo was trademarked in 1972. It helps the popular footwear and fashion brand to stand out amid intense global competition.
McDonald’s: The Golden Arches are a universal symbol for fast food. They are a trademark property of McDonald’s along with the phrase “I’m Lovin’ It” and terms like “McNuggets” and “Big Mac”.
Coca-Cola: The Coca-Cola script is one of the most famous logos in history. As per the company’s policy, its trademarks and logos can only be used for goods produced by Coca-Cola or after taking permission from the beverage manufacturer.
Starbucks: The siren logo is a familiar sight to coffee lovers around the world. The company prohibits the use of its trademarks and logos without prior approval.
A copyright logo design is vital for any company or brand to maintain its distinct identity and reputation. It also liberates you from the threat of your vital branding elements being stolen and puts you at an advantage if any adverse situation arises. Every business, big and small, must register a copyright for all their logos and slogans and trademark their branding elements.
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