The importance of a logo on the web site

[TheGodfather]

A good designed logo makes a difference between a trusted business and a faceless one.

We humans are visual creatures by nature. Over 80% of our outside sensory comes from our eyes and thus it is natural for us to make decisions based on looks. It is the same as looking at a person and deciding whether you like that person or not, even if the person is a bad person deep down inside.

We have a tendency to go for the more visual appealing looks. Thus the importance of a good looking logo.

A logo should be easy to remember, unique, simple and effective.

Every brand, website or just about any product on the market should have a logo designed for it. Even this forum has a logo designed.

Every IM-er on the market should have a logo on his web site. It promotes trust and a feeling of a good and respected business.

Just ask your selves: How many times have you tried to remember a website that you've been to and just couldn't because you had nothing to remember it by? Well a logo eliminates that problem.

It's the little things that matter.

[TheGodfather]

would any one be interested if i made a logo design WSO? i do them personally and i have made some in the past for a few competitions but didn't get accepted since it was an open competition and my work would be crammed up by people who would post 20 versions of the same work in 20 different submissions so my work would end up on page 3 or 4...

but most of the times i'd get a 4/5 stars on my work...

[Dan Grossman]

One of the first things I do when I finish a new product is to start a contest over at 99designs.com for a logo. $300 gets you a good number of design entries to choose from. Having the logo, and some money invested, helps motivate me to finish the site and market it.

[TheGodfather]

i learned to hate 99designs.com

in, get this, 99% of cases the winning design is a ripoff of a previous design that is buried under 2-3 pages of design. Also the contest holders had a tendency to put up a design, offer a lot of money, get lot's of submissions and then abandon the project giving some idiot less money because he would do a cheap ripoff of the same idea but is unable to do the creative process himself.

and that is why i hate 99designs.com

[Dan Grossman]

Originally Posted by TheGodfather

Also the contest holders had a tendency to put up a design, offer a lot of money, get lot's of submissions and then abandon the project

Well that doesn't work anymore since you have to prepay the contest. If you abandon it without declaring a winner, the money gets distributed among the designers that entered.

I've run a number of contests there with fantastic results. Never had an issue with one designer copying another in mine.

[innovator]

IMHO, companies and organizations should create their very own distinct logo. but for personal sites/blogs, it's unnecessary.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Palitra

Really good point The Godfather, the question is if each site must have a logo? Even if someone remembers the site by a logo, it doesn't mean that he will remember the site's domain name to find it.

Originally Posted by innovator

IMHO, companies and organizations should create their very own distinct logo. but for personal sites/blogs, it's unnecessary.

Yes, every page should have a logo, but that is relevant to the site name. When i first joined this forum one of the first things i remembered was it's unique logo. Once i lost my windows installation due to a system crash the only way to remember what forum was i on was with a logo that i remembered. Although i didn't know the direct link to the forum i simply typed in Google "warrior forum" and out came this site... and here i am again....

Every site MUST have a logo. It gives an (this is a rough estimate) 70% more chance that you will have a returning visitor on account of him/her remembering your logo.

Headers are a ting of the past now, since most of them just look like banners and we all don't like a site that is full of banners. On the other hand, a logo brings a much more of a professional look to the site and gives you automatically more authority and credibility right on the spot. If you have a "corporate identity" aka logo then you must be someone who's serious about your costumer relations, business and other public relations in general. And just ask your self: would you rather buy a pair of sneakers by a world famous brand like Nike (that has one of the most simple, effective, unique and recognizable logos in the world) or some brand that you've never heard of, has no corporate logo, but is selling for considerable less money?

I can see you answering that you'd rather buy Nike since when you pay for Nike's you know what you get for your money and you automatically have a sense of trust and quality associated with the brand.

DISCLAIMER:
This post is in no way sponsored by Nike, I was only using them as an example since their brand was the first one to pop in my mind when thinking of good branding.

[Kevin Riley]

However, I can't remember what Amazon's logo looks like - or even if they have one - but I certainly remember their name and trust them for books. So, I guess it depends upon the case.

[Pat Ordenes]

I tend to agree with Kevin.
To logo or not to logo is totally relevant to the site.
To state the every site needs a logo is a bit strong in my opinion.
But having said that, a good logo, can work wonders for your image.
The question to keep in mind though is: Are trying to promote your 'image', or are you just trying to sell. The fact is You Dont Need A Logo To Sell.
Amazon is a great example kevin, I'm on that site all the time and the logo is not memorable or particularly strong... yet amazon sells.

[TheGodfather]

If you read Napoleon Hill's book Think and Go Rich (i think it was that one) it says there that amazon does well because it used up the same strategy like a bookstore from the book. The bookstore was built on a highway and it did pretty well making the owner rich. The owner of Amazon.com did the same thing only he used the Internet as his "highway" and made millions from it. the only reason why you can remember Amazon's site is because of it's word. Amazon, as in a geographical location which is far more easier to remember then say.... my email address barashakushu.design... now you try remembering a name that includes a name of a Sumerian God...

And to answer you question: amazon does have a logo, it's a typographical one but it does have one... it's the word amazon itself. Just like this forum has one that is typographical as well....

as for promoting the image i only ask you this: would you buy rather from a guy in a Gucci suit, a nice Rolex watch that drives a Mercedes or some bum on the street that is homeless and has holes in his shoes and looks as if he's gonna rob you?

The image itself doesn't sell, it's the trust that it can generate that sells...

[OmarKhan]

The importance of visual credibility is evident in a lot of the major existing corporations today. It should never be under-estimated.

[TheGodfather]

exactly my point...

[Paul Myers]

A good designed logo makes a difference between a trusted business and a faceless one.

A designer would think that way, because their brains are wired that way. As a writer, I tend to think that the message counts for more. There's probably a balance somewhere in the middle.

I can tell you this, though: I have no graphics on my main site at all, other than a simple "Subscribe" button. I didn't even use the book cover I had made for the free bonus.

My conversion rates rival, and often beat, the fancy video squeeze pages used in the big launches. Just over 60% subscribe, and 86% of those confirm their subscriptions.

Oh yeah... It's a very long page, too. Lots of text.

Graphics can help, yes, but they're not a "make or break" element if you have a good offer.

Every site MUST have a logo.

Piffle.


Paul

PS: Napoleon Hill died in 1970. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, was only 6 years old at the time.

[marketersva]

I agree with Paul Meyers but I have to admit, nothing bugs me more than a web site that is without visual intrigue. A client just did his own in WebSite Tonite and, although it was a GREAT first effort, it had absolutely nothing visually interesting about it. It did have a logo but that was pretty boring too. I begged him to let me "fix" it. lol

[Paul Myers]

Katie,

I agree with Paul Meyers but I have to admit, nothing bugs me more than a web site that is without visual intrigue.

Well, okay. But you have a fixation on complicating even the simple and the elegant. As evidence of this seemingly bizarre conclusion, I offer the fact that you felt compelled to decorate a simple 5-letter word with an extraneous vowel.

Myers. One 'e.'


Paul

[marketersva]

Sorry Mr. Myers. It's very late here.

[Paul Myers]

Katie,

Sorry Mr. Myers. It's very late here.

[chuckle] "Mr Myers" doesn't post here, but I'll extend your apology when I see him for Father's Day this weekend.

Not to worry, ma'am. Most people add that nasty extra letter.


Paul

PS: It's just "Paul." Without the quotes, of course.

[TheGodfather]

PS: Napoleon Hill died in 1970. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, was only 6 years old at the time.

So what's your point? Jeff Bezos took literally the idea from Hill's book and modernized it for today's standards.... i don't get what's it have to do with him being 6 years old? If you referred to the fact that it's mentioned in his book... well i hope you do understand that there is no point in reading on a dynamic subject such as business and money subjects without them being revised to the most recent time possible... (btw i got the audio book version, and I believe it's added there as a sidenote that is, an example of how to use the idea...)

Visual appeal is what separates amateurs from pro's. Logo is just something that is just a tool IMO but i do stand for that every site needs one, not the personal ones but blogs, IM sites, corporate homepages etc...

even text can be visualy appealing. It's all in the design, functionality and simplicity. If you attract a public that is an older generation 50-60+ then text webpages can be appealing to them since notning distracts them.

But try to sell to someone who has 25 and they'll leave your site just because it's not fancy as they wanted it to be. And sure you might say: why would i care about those people? well imagine if you were selling a product that is targeted at yung people...

[Zack Lim]

Thanks for sharing, Godfather.

You have listed a valid point on having a logo to do branding for own business

Zack

[Paul Myers]

Visual appeal is what separates amateurs from pro's. Logo is just something that is just a tool IMO but i do stand for that every site needs one, not the personal ones but blogs, IM sites, corporate homepages etc...

If that's the standard, I'll happily maintain my "amateur" status, tankeweverrymutch. Along with conversion rates for many graphic-deprived sales pages in the 10% to 24% range.

I did not say that graphics can't help in many cases. I merely pointed out that it's possible to do well without them. You are the one making absolute statements. Statements which are, in the real world, flat out wrong.

As far as the PS, my point is pretty simple. Napoleon Hill never said anything about Amazon.com, or anyother.com, as he was dead before the term was popularly known. Possibly before it was coined. And "Think and Grow Rich" was published 27 years before Jeff Bezos was born.

Since you started the reference with, "If you read...," I assumed you actually meant a printed version, rather than some "annotated" audiobook.

Insist all you want, but graphics are not necessary for a business site to succeed. Sometimes very useful? Yes. Definitely. A requirement? Hell no.


Paul

[Dave Allen]

Although visuals have their place, it's not mandatory. If it's a necessity, then I suppose "the marketing rebel" is an amateur too. Not likely.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

If that's the standard, I'll happily maintain my "amateur" status, tankeweverrymutch. Along with conversion rates for many graphic-deprived sales pages in the 10% to 24% range.

I did not say that graphics can't help in many cases. I merely pointed out that it's possible to do well without them. You are the one making absolute statements. Statements which are, in the real world, flat out wrong.

As far as the PS, my point is pretty simple. Napoleon Hill never said anything about Amazon.com, or anyother.com, as he was dead before the term was popularly known. Possibly before it was coined. And "Think and Grow Rich" was published 27 years before Jeff Bezos was born.

Since you started the reference with, "If you read...," I assumed you actually meant a printed version, rather than some "annotated" audiobook.

Insist all you want, but graphics are not necessary for a business site to succeed. Sometimes very useful? Yes. Definitely. A requirement? Hell no.


Paul

Dude, do whatever works for you...

I'm just saying the effect a logo or any other professional graphic can do to someones sales and/or conversion rates. My point is... if I came across your site and it was all text and nothing else... well unless you offered me something VERY good in exchange for me opting in (i.e. reading the whole page, btw you should(if you haven't already) check your analytics to see how much people are actually reading your sales letter or what ever you have on the site.).... maybe it's just me and, currently, my short attention span due to watching 14 seasons of The Simpson's in a row XD....

For me, personally, since i can not look trough anyone else's eyes, a site without any graphic even for direction sake (arrows or whatnot) is like trying to by new shoes by READING the description of the foot shape instead of putting them on...

no offense...

[Paul Myers]

btw you should(if you haven't already) check your analytics to see how much people are actually reading

Carrying coal to Newcastle, son. Teaching Granny to steal sheep.

I can tell you how many people, from which list, signed up using which of the three forms on that page.

There's a lot more to design than graphics. The most important element is one you touched on - the offer.

Build a better offer, and the world will beat a path to your door. Even if the map is done in crayon.


Paul

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Dave Allen

Although visuals have their place, it's not mandatory. If it's a necessity, then I suppose "the marketing rebel" is an amateur too. Not likely.

if you have an audience that likes to read pages then that's awesome... here where i come from people are promoting stupidity and they don't like to learn...or read... lately i have discovered that i have more of a chance in selling them something by putting some glitter effect over the page... really i can see them now going: uuuuuuuuu... pretty colors...

unfortunately not all costumers are educated and not all like to read, as we move deeper into the 21st century we become more used to in living in "high speed" where stopping to read something becomes something unwanted...

personally as someone who is well read and who likes to read i feel that this is sad...

let me illustrate my point:
i used to have a part time job in a cinema. there were 8 movie halls and each one of them had it's number in front. The number is lighted by white neon lights and is 3 feet tall... yet people would ask me, while they were standing about 4-5 feet from the number, where is that same hall by which they were standing in the first place.... not to mention that this wasn't old-folk... these were young people that are 25-30 years old...

if that isn't stupid i don't know what is... also another point, on crossings every traffic light has a button you have to press in order to signalize that you want to cross over. and there is a sign on the device that says in nice big letters: press if you want to cross... yet people like dumb asses stand and expect that the light will turn green (btw it has been 2 years since the system was installed and activated) and then look all surprised when they find out that it didn't change...

i will end this reply with a quote: "two things are infinite: space and human stupidity, only I'm not sure about the first one" - Albert Einstein

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Aritra Basu

I totally agree with paul. If you have eyecatching graphics and the content you offer is full of fluff- your brand building efforts will prove to be futile in the long run.

Ofcourse, graphics can accelerate conversion rates but I strongly believe content, if used/written the right way have better ability to establish your brand..

My 2 cents

i never said to replace content with graphics. But why not give the costumer a sense of what he's getting... that's why even microsoft presents it's software in a packaging although it comes just in a paper booklet with a cd inside. People like big shiny thngs that's why microsoft was able to "scam" people in selling them Windows Vista now they have renounced it, given up on it's support and are endorsing windows seven (btw Vista was the seventh version of windows, that's one of the hints that they used it only to get some quick cash, and a few million/billion at that)... the only thing that sold Vista that much was that it had some betrter graphics done and a false sense of security that became utterly annoying...

i just hope that you understand my point... in the psychology it's widely known as the catstring theory. If you dangle something that is "pretending" to be interesting to the cat, the cat wil chase the string... the same principle applys to seduction, marketing or just about anything that has to do with people... it's like using reverse psychology and showing the merchandise to the costumer and telling him/her "this big packet can be yours, look how big it is"...

after all it is said: a picture is worth a 1000 words...

[innovator]

Originally Posted by Kevin Riley

However, I can't remember what Amazon's logo looks like - or even if they have one - but I certainly remember their name and trust them for books. So, I guess it depends upon the case.

i agree with you. Logo is important but not a MUST. It's really a case to case basis. After all, "beauty lies upon the eyes of the beholder"

For me, i remember a site if it shows useful information that i could benefit from, just like Warrior Forum.

[Easy Cash]

A Logo is a good start. A successful business comes down to a ton of things.

Your Team
Your Name
Your Colors
Your Market
Your Niche
Your Location
Your Systems
Your Cashflow
Your Marketing
You


Geeez - it could go on forever. These things are critical for your business to survive. If you only focus on a couple - you are much more likely to fail.

You need to focus on all of them.

[Pat Ordenes]

Agreed Paul.

I'm a graphic designer, and have been for over 10 years (offline).
The last thing I would want to do is preach to my client is that a logo, or graphics sell.
Sure, they help. But they do not sell on their own.

Good Communication sells.

Whether this is via words or an image, thats a different matter.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Pat Ordenes

Agreed Paul.

I'm a graphic designer, and have been for over 10 years (offline).
The last thing I would want to do is preach to my client is that a logo, or graphics sell.
Sure, they help. But they do not sell on their own.

Good Communication sells.

Whether this is via words or an image, thats a different matter.

like i said, a logo invokes trust by showing seriousness of your business, as in here is our company image, and we are here to uphold it to it's very best.

It helps the sale, but it doesn't sell on itself, however sometimes it does, but that's when it's been there for a long time and has set it's public etc... that's a whole different matter....

[Paul Myers]

a logo invokes trust by showing seriousness of your business, as in here is our company image, and we are here to uphold it to it's very best.

Logos evoke the trust factor only AFTER they have been associated with a specific level of quality in the minds of people who've purchased from the company or individual they represent. They're shorthand.

Cart to horse: "After you!"


Paul

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Cart to horse: "After you!"

let's not become rude, we're all Warriors here...