Creating Business Logos For Free 

Coming up with a new business logo doesn't need to cost the earth. In fact, with a little imagination in doesn't necessarily have to cost anything at all. Here are five ways you can create free business logos.

1. Hold a competition

Whatever type of business you run, you undoubtedly come into contact with other people through your activity. Some of those people will have creative design skills, so why not get them to design your logo for you? How? Hold a logo design competition.

You need to simply lay down some guidelines about your new logo, the message it should portray, the size, number of colors and so on, and set a start and finish date for the contest.

You can offer a prize from your stock, or maybe a discount voucher against a future purchase - in that way you're logo won't cost you a penny and you'll get an extra sale into the bargain. If you run a website for your business, why not offer some free advertising for the winner in some of your vacant ad spots.

2. Barter a service

Another way of tapping into the design abilities of your contacts to obtain a free company logo, is to trade a service,

For example, fast food take-out business could offer to exchange advertising space on their packaging in return for a professionally designed new logo.

3. Use your existing human resources

If you have staff, use them! Most people enjoy some variety in their work, and you never know who might be hiding a creative streak. Perhaps the air-conditioning engineer is a budding graphic artist just waiting to be discovered.

If motivation should be an issue, take the competition idea and have an internal contest for your new business logo. Announce the winner in your corporate newsletter. Getting your employees involved in this manner is great for morale.

4. Offer testimonials

In our article about logo design and samples, we discuss how important it is to review sample logos and customer testimonials. Start-up creative agencies or web sites have to get those testimonials and case studies from somewhere, so why not get in contact and see if you can do a deal - a new logo in return for a great testimonial - providing the work is of suitable quality of course!

New design businesses and websites start up all the time - search around with Google, or your local business directory to find possible companies to approach.

5. Do It Yourself

Finally, there's no reason why you cannot create a business logo yourself. You most likely have the required software on your PC to get started already (see our article Free Programs To Create Logos).

A "home made" logo can easily see your business through its early years. As the cash flow improves, you can hire an agency to tidy it up as part of a corporate branding exercise, which always makes an excellent opportunity for some additional PR.