The online eCommerce and retail industries are consistently adapting to new trends and technology, such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and other innovations. All successful businesses are resultantly aware that flexibility is the key to longevity and maintaining customers.
But, while recent years have seen a focus on eCommerce, this is expected to make up only 21% of retail sales by 2023. Instead, following the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals are returning to shopping centres and other retail hubs to make in-person purchases. This is due to factors such as accessibility and convenience, which have reaffirmed the need to invest in both the offline and online experience. Having a striking logo that entices and appeals to the high street is therefore a must!
Tips to create a logo for your retail business
UK Shopfront has put together a guide on some of the key things to keep in mind when coming up with a logo for your business. From the design process to ensuring you attract the right customers, these tips will help your business flourish.
Research
Before designing your logo, you need to conduct market research. From comparing the logos of your competition to using their logos for inspiration, knowing what excels within your field is an essential first step.
You should also look at general trends within the world of graphic design and generic themes that succeed, such as minimalism and typography. The formula for a perfect logo is not exact, meaning you have plenty of wiggle room to create something that both you and the public love!
Understand Your Target Audience
Every business will appeal to different audiences, whether via your products, services or ethos. As a result, knowing your key demographic is an essential tool for bolstering your sales and enjoying continued success.
A great place to start is by analysing your competitors’ audience. Look at their social media, website traffic, content and reviews to see what has been successful for them regarding branding and advertising, and apply it to your own business.
Another way to begin understanding your own customer base is by browsing readily available information online. Looking at surveys, social media and data pieces will reveal insights into psychological and behavioural knowledge for buyers in your target market. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even conduct focus groups with any potential customers to acquire feedback.
Be Creative
Creativity is one of the most important aspects to consider when designing a successful and stand-out logo. Your logo should be unique and well-designed, as this will ensure that your brand is easily recognisable and stands out from the rest of the competitors on the high street.
In addition, the implementation of a great, creative logo enables you to give passersby a rapid insight into your values in a visually appealing and engaging way. The more dramatic or visually appealing, the more likely your logo will be remembered by potential customers and shared, whether by word-of-mouth or social media. As a result, a great logo is an essential means of enticing potential customers, generating a buzz and ultimately fostering brand loyalty.
Make It Simple – Yet Adaptable
Ideally, you want a simple and memorable logo that can be applied to several different contexts with ease. Whether embroidery, digital, print, fabrics or paints, you want to be able to replicate your logo on any and all of your products!
A complicated logo can be very difficult to replicate and therefore time-consuming, whether due to capturing the intricacies or requiring specialist tools. This is why simple logos have historically proven to be more successful – think world-famous brands like Apple, Nike, and Mcdonald’s.
Choosing a straightforward design will moreover benefit you in terms of flexibility, scalability, versatility and, ultimately, timelessness. Redesigning a logo can be expensive, but a simple design is less likely to become dated, remaining relevant for a prolonged period of time.
Experiment!
Trying something new might be daunting, but being innovative with your logo design is crucial for outstanding results. Experimentation means you can try and test several ideas and visuals, leading to more effective and memorable logos that capture the essence of your brand.
By experimenting, you moreover encourage the designer and creative team to push their boundaries, coming up with a one-of-a-kind logo that will transform your shop into a high street staple.
UK Shopfront is a highly reputable provider of shopfront installation and glazing features in the UK.
