by Sharon Housley

Website design can be elusive to even creative individuals. Sadly some webmasters do not realize their incompetence and they post websites that have grainy graphics and turgid colors. If you are one of these webmasters and have seen the error of your ways, consider this. Your website is a sales tool. A professional layout and design can significantly increase sales and conversion rates, gaining you customers. Businesses can greatly benefit from a professional and unforgettable logo that sets them apart from their competition. Logos are not just fancy graphics that adorn websites or letterhead, logos are a representation of a businesses' philosophy. Logos are a critical component of brand development.

Many webmasters do not realize that all images on the web are copy written and it is in many cases illegal to use an image that you find on the web without properly licensing it. Fortunately, for the graphically challenged websmasters there are a whole host of resources available to assist with web and graphic design. There are logo websites where you can purchase a single logo for a fixed fee, or subscription websites that allow you to purchase a subscription and download multiple logos. The logo is often the starting point for web design. Many webmasters use the companies logo to develop the website, the rest of the design evolves around the logo.

Custom logo design can cost from $ 100 to over $ 1000 depending on the logos complexity and the number of revisions required. As a result, buying a stock logo can offers substantial savings, for a small business starting out.

Fortunately for graphically challenged webmasters there are a number of websites through which webmasters can purchase a logo:

Logo Search
On Logo Search, website visitors can navigate through the logos using categories. The Logo Search website also has a search function allowing visitors to use keywords to locate specific color logos or logo styles. Visitors can purchase a single logo or they can purchase a subscription allowing them to download an unlimited number of logos for a specified length of time. Each download contains the image in a variety of format allowing webmasters flexibility. Webmasters can subscribe to an RSS feed so they are notified when new logos are posted and available for download.
logo-search.com

LogoStick
Logo Stick is a web based tool that allows webmasters to use logo templates and design software, to create custom individualized logos. After the logo is completed it can be downloaded from the website. The online logo design software lets website visitors select from a variety of symbols, fonts and colors, so that webmasters can create a unique look. Unfortunately if your issue is a lack of creative talent, this solution may not be a good one.
logostick.com

LogoMaid
LogoMaid contains a selection of more than 3300 unique and non-unique logos. Logos are sold individually and vary in price from $ 25.00 for a non-unique logo to $ 200 for a unique logo. Subscriptions to the LogoMaid website are not available.
logomaid.com/home.php

Check the Rules!
If you purchase a logo be sure that you completely read the licensing agreement. Some agreements may restrict resale of the logo and you want to be aware of that if you are a webmaster reselling your services.

Image matters by using an eye catching logo you will retain your website visitor's interest and instill confidence that you are a professional organization.

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About the Author:

Sharon Housley manages marketing for feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.