A logo is most people’s first introduction to your main home business and you want it for something that people will find interesting enough to stick in their memory. This is your identity, it is what sets you apart, and this is not the time to try to save money because it is what your future clients will remember you for.

When done correctly, your logo will instill in your customers a good first impression and ultimately build brand loyalty. It gives your new home business the look of a genuine, established business!

There are three main types of logos:

· Logos that represent what the company does – a house painter can show a paintbrush, a dog trainer can show a dog on a leash, a real estate agent will surely show a house

· Font-based logos – Think IBM, Sony, Microsoft, Bic, Honda, Ford

· Abstract graphics – like Adidas, Apple, Chevrolet and Nike.

Until you’ve turned your small home business into a “household name,” it’s best to stick with a font-based logo or a logo that represents what you do. An abstract graphic means nothing until you have created brand awareness using a combination of graphics and fonts.

How to start:

Before you start designing your logo, make sure you have your mission statement clearly in mind. Your logo will ideally embody what you are in business to do.

· Take a look at the logos of companies similar to yours. Research your competitors and see how you want your home business to stand out from theirs.

· Send a clear message. You already know how important your message is. What message do you want to send with your logo?

· It should be crisp and clean. Your logo should look good on websites, the side of a truck, business cards, faxes, letterhead, etc. Create a logo that looks both color and black and white.

· Let your work from the local business name drive the design. If you are an artist, you may want more flourish for your font than if you had an electrical business.

· Your key benefit could be a good logo. For example, if you have a business focused on mentoring and guiding people to success, a compass could be a good logo.

· Stay away from clip art. Original art will make a better impression and differentiate your main home business from your competition.

· Avoid trendy looks. It may seem tempting, but if you need to change your logo every year to keep up with the latest trends, your customers will be confused about your product or service.

Now that you have an idea of ​​what you want, I suggest that you outsource the actual creation of your design to the professionals. We have used rent-a-coder, elance, odesk, and WOW, just to name a few.

Creating your logo should be fun. For little money you can have several designs to choose from in just a few days. Once you have the right logo, your main home business can start building a reputation, brand loyalty, and a following that will help you, whether you are full-time or part-time trying to earn extra money from home.