1. Keep it simple. The most memorable logos are not cluttered and easy to see and read. Most people are not going to stare at your logo but glance at it to get an idea of what your business is all about. You should shy away from graphics that are confusing or too abstract.

In this logo designed for “The Green Boutique,” the font choices and imagery is simple, subtle but gets the message across effectively.

2. It should look good in black and white or color.  Your logo will most likely be seen in black and white at some point, at the bottom of a document or something similar. Make sure your logo lends itself to be seen either way.

        
This logo designed for EAS, or Electrical Accessory Sales, lends itself to be seen in color, grayscale, or black and white.

3. The color scheme should go well with your business.  Whether bold or bright colors are used should depend on your business. The color scheme says just as much about your business as the rest of the logo.

 
Milledgeville Cares is a non-profit organization that brings agencies and faith-based intitutions together to provide support for those in need in the community. Soft, warm colors express the organization’s purpose well.

4. It should stand the test of time. Logos that are too modern often go out of style quickly and make your business look out of date. Keep font choices simple and classic.

Timeless fonts, imagery, and color scheme was used to create this logo for Dyer & Johnson Insurance Repair.

5. Avoid elaborate details or have a version without them. Some logos look better with a subtle gradient or shadow but you should have versions without to use for different mediums.

         
The Outdoor Creations logo was created with a subtle gradient but for some mediums, solid colors always work best.

- Make your logo prominent in your site design.
It is so important when you are tying to brand your company to include your logo on all the marketing materials you create.  Your website is no exception.  Make sure your logo is prominent in the design of your website.

- Use your company colors.
Company colors are also an important part of building your brand.  Your website design should be in your colors so customers can easily recognize that they are at the right site as soon as they land on your homepage. 

- Include your company name in your domain name.
It is always a good idea to include your company name in your domain name.  This will help brand your company and help people find you. It is also important to go to a domain registrar like godaddy.com sooner rather than later to reserve your domain name.  Reserving it will ensure that it is under your control and that competitors and domain squatters cannot buy it or themselves.

- Maintain the look and feel of your business.
Your website is an extension of your business and should reflect the personality of your business– whether that is classy and sophisticated, hip and trendy, or fun and energetic. You know if you have achieved this if going to your website kind of feels like walking into the door of your business. And if you don’t have a physical location that customers visit, you have even more flexibility to create the look and feel of your business through your website.
Your customer needs to know within seconds of landing on your site that they have come to the right place. A lot of business names are similar so it is important that your website maintain a look and feel that is uniquely you.