Cheap Online Logos – What’s Wrong With It?

DENTAL PRACTICE LOGOS

At design4dentists we are often asked if there is anything wrong with buying a cheap logo design online. Well there isn’t, and yes you can buy a cheap online logo but will it really match your dental brand and service ethics?

A logo is often the first aspect of your brand a potential new patient will see before comparing it against your competition. If it does not immediately connect and portray the right image, you may lose an opportunity without a second glance. A dental practice logo is more than picture, it can say a lot about you and your dental business.

I have written below a few helpful tips for consideration before choosing a logo designer.

WHO SHOULD DESIGN MY DENTAL LOGO?

An experienced brand designer with natural artistic flair is the right answer. When buying a cheap logo, do not expect any red carpet treatment. It is likely that you will be telling them what you would like instead of the designer guiding you as to what is right for your business. You may well end up directing the concept from start to finish without the designer advising you and asking important influencing factors about your brand.
The experts in dental practice logo design >

WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

A cheap logo online is highly unlikely to include time within the price to provide you with the following:

• Research of your local dental competition
• Research of your demographics
• Asked questions about your ideal dental patient profile?
• What dental treatments do you offer?
• How does your dental practice look?
• What are your USP’s?

The answers to these questions are all important factors which will have a positive influence in the design of your new dental logo. For an insight towards preparing your brand identity, read more here:
Creating a powerful dental brand >

WHY FILL OUT A LOGO & BRAND QUESTIONNAIRE?

The ideal way to start is to fill out a logo and brand questionnaire. A professional design agency or an experienced logo designer will want to find out information about you, the dentist behind the brand and about your dental practice brand. By gathering facts and preferences the designer will be able to understand who you are, who your patients are and how you would like your dental brand to be portrayed.
Design package options for a dental practice logo >

WHAT ARE THE KEY LOGO DESIGN ELEMENTS?

A professional dental logo design consists of four or five elements. The key logo design elements are:

• Name – Brand name or name of your dental practice
• Font – The typographics, type style used for the name
• Shape – The design of the icon or graphic used to differentiate your identity
• Colour – One or more colours that you can be remembered by

The fifth element is not essential but many brands use this as an extension. This could be a memory hook, strap line or slogan. It may even be an extra memorable aspect that is an additional design feature such as the double kidney shaped grill on the front of the BMW car or an animal like the Gorilla in the Cadburys chocolate TV advert.
Examples of dental practice logo designs using name, font, shape and colour >

HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR A LOGO?

How much are you prepared to pay for an individual piece of art? There is no guide fee but it would be wise to choose an expert logo or brand designer at a cost you feel is worth the investment. Just remember that you are a professional dentist providing professional dental treatments so your logo should inspire confidence and trust in your patients. A cheap logo may not cut the mustard.
Examples of cheap verses professional dental logo designs >

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOGO DESIGNER?

Shop around and contact a few designers. A design or brand company who has experience in the dental world will know about your industry but may not guide you by asking the right questions. Here are a few helpful tips and questions to ask:

• Find out about the logo design process –
Are they asking you the right questions about your dental brand?

• Look at their portfolio –
How diverse are their design skills?

• Who have they worked for? –
Experience in dentistry will help you.

• Case studies –
How adaptive are their designs when applied to signage, scrubs, websites, literature and so on. It is important that your logo is adaptive for use on all applications. A cheap logo designer may not have considered where you want your logo to appear.

Your decision will be made if you feel all the above questions are answered. When choosing the right designer it should not be based purely on price. You are hiring their expertise and design skills. Their portfolio is a merit of their work and you should be able to gauge whether or not you like what they have achieved in the past.
View examples of dental branding >

HOW LONG WILL MY LOGO DESIGN LAST FOR?

A well thought out dental practice logo can last over 10 years however, the average length of most brand identities is 7 to 8 years. All businesses and industries change rapidly. Dentistry is no different and if your brand is designed to offer the very latest cosmetic dental treatments, then your brand must keep up. A cheap logo designed online may not last more than a few years if the styling is too modern.
Dental practice logo designs that last for years >

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

An eye catching dental logo and brand identity will pay dividends for your business. A great name, different shape and strong colour will be easily identifiable and is more likely to be remembered where ever you advertise. A well designed logo is easily adaptive for all applications so that the brand identity remains powerful at every touchpoint. If this is well executed then your patients will connect with your brand which will make them feel good about themselves. Help them to love your brand from the start.
Dental practice brochure >
Branding your dental website >
Branded dental apps >

PROFESSIONAL BRAND & LOGO DESIGNER

For more information, look here at our dental logos, or call Alex Nicolaou on 01923 609770 to find out more about making the most of your dental brand.
www.design4dentists.com >

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