Logo Design Blog

In running your online business, there are many ways to improve your conversion rates. You can hire experienced copywriters, offer freebies, add audio, and many other tactics. But do you know that adding a simple logo can help improve your conversion rates?

Using Security logos like VeriSign, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Hacker Safe is one of easiest way to build trust to your online visitors. This will put your customers at ease when sharing their credit card and other important personal information.

The survey conducted by IBM has shown that 70 percent of online shoppers will buy from a trusted Web site, while more than half of Americans are “very concerned” or “concerned” to buy from an unknown online retailer. Simply translated, using security logos is no longer an option but a necessity.

Many Internet marketing experts including the ultra-exclusive StomperNet have conducted several tests to measure the impact of security logos in conversion rates. The Conversion Doctor Eric Graham shares the results of his tests on this subject.

More importantly, he also pointed out the importance of putting these security logos in the right places. It can be at or near the header area, somewhere in the right hand side, and under the “call to action” of your sales letter page.

Security logos work on email campaigns, too…

Maximize your security logos by integrating it in your email marketing campaigns. Marketing Sherpa is generous enough to share the positive results of its case study on the subject.

Among thousands (if not millions) of logo designs created around the globe, it’s very strange that the CIA has based its “War on Terrorism” logo on Ghostbusters, a popular animated series in the 80s about ghost hunters.

Dubbed as the “Terrorist Buster” logo, it failed to earn the approval and more importantly, the respect of the online community. For one, they say it’s very amateurish and many people actually thought this official logo is just a BIG joke.

Moreover, some harsh critics find it very offensive considering the terrorist is black when the ghost in Ghostbusters’ logo is white. Also, the bayonet is said to be quite Islamic in shape.

In defense, a CIA spokesman says this logo has been around for six years and intended to symbolize “the determination and spirit of those who were working tirelessly to overcome what we still know today to be a truly dangerous threat”.

Logo Design 101

For those who do not fully understand the concept of branding and marketing in general, it is very to find this issue trivial. Indeed, the CIA is a powerful force behind counter-terrorism efforts. It is but proper that it reflects its true nature and stir fear among the enemies.

A logo design must always reflect the true “YOU” and your objectives. In addition, first impression really matters in this situation. If the general public can’t help but laugh or scorn at this Terrorist Buster logo, imagine how the real terrorists will react to this!

As the web becomes more and more a part of both our personal and business lives, business people and marketing professionals have turned towards web surveys to do research, plan projects, get feedback and develop new products and services. The emergence of excellent web survey applications, complete with wizards to make creation fast and simple, templates to ensure attractive designs, and full suites of reports and statistical analysis, make this method of interacting with your customers very attractive and extremely cost effective. (more…)

Risk is an essential part of running a business. It can make your dreams come true but it can also shatter it if you are not careful. A new study shows that successful entrepreneurs are more likely to take risks.

Some 60 per cent of those with assets of more than $1 million said a high appetite for risk had been a big influence in generating their wealth, compared with 36 per cent of those with less than $1 million of assets.

Given that risk is all around us, you should learn how to take calculate your chances of survival in this game. Here are some of the things you need to consider:

1. Look before you leap. Research about the risk you are about to take and consult with experts in the field to gather more information. The more you know the better your chances of survival.
2. Have a Backup Plan. Because there are different ways to solve a problem, you should have an alternative plan in case things will go out of hand.
3. Rank the risks. If you are taking several risks, you should prioritize which one to tackle first. A good measure is to consider the consequences of each scenario and the probability of it happening. However, this is a very tricky method because it’s difficult to avoid subjective opinions.

After 55 years in the hotel industry, Holiday Inn has decided to refresh its outdated image by launching a new logo for its 3,000 hotels around the world.

To show how committed they are in this remarkable initiative, the mother company InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is prepared to shell out £30 million just to start the ball rolling. The total cost is expected to reach £488 million or US$1 billion by the end of 2010. This may be the biggest makeover in the hotel industry.

As we keep reminding you, our dear readers, any re-launch or rebranding must not stop with a logo makeover. You must add meaning or significant changes in a certain aspects of your business. More importantly, it should be consistent to be effective. In the case of Holiday Inn, changes include:

1. New service culture captured in its revised tagline “Stay Real”. It means delivering genuine service and treating guests as real people.
2. Guest Room redesign to give a more relaxing ambiance.
3. Complete sensory experience with its customized music and the subliminal Holiday Inn scent.

On Market Research…

As expected, many business analysts and observers have viewed the new logo design inappropriate or even hideous. What’s important to note in this initiative is that Holiday Inn conducted a market research to determine what the key customers really want. But when the comments are bad as the GOP logo design makeover, change it immediately.

On Rebranding…

Whether you’re spending $2,000 or $20 million to rebrand your company or product, you should not be too radical in implementing changes. Otherwise, you will lose even your very loyal customers quickly.