Branding is at the heart of your business. It’s what helps you get noticed and sets you apart from competitors in your industry. A well-thought-out branding strategy attracts potential customers and builds trust among other organizations. Furthermore, it helps increase your business value.
With plenty at stake in branding, many businesses choose to have custom designs for their marketing collaterals. After all, the more unique your branding is, the easier it is for people to recognize and remember you. Right?
Unfortunately, some businesses have false expectations of designs and branding. As a consequence, they often end up disappointed with the results. Here are some common expectations and the realities of custom design.
Expectation #1: Custom design is expensive
This is the most common misconception among clients. Businesses with limited budgets often settle for generic logos because they think custom design work costs an arm and a leg. What happens? They end up with a logo that hundreds of companies have already used. The fact is there’s even logos for free that can make your company stand out.
Another scenario is using templates for web design. With hundreds of websites out there, you’d want to make yours stand out. Furthermore, you have to make sure that your website offers a smooth user experience. Using a template wouldn’t make your website stand out. In addition, it often comes with limited features. You may not be able to provide the features that your web visitors need to have a great experience on your site. This could put you at risk of losing a lead
or a sale.
Reality #1: Custom design can be affordable
Surprise! Custom design doesn’t have to break the bank. At DesignCrowd, we offer high-quality designs that fit your budget—whether you’re a startup or an established business.
Unlike traditional design agencies where you’re only working with one designer, our marketplace lets you crowdsource your project to thousands of freelance designers. The best thing is, you can decide how much you’d like to pay for it.
With DesignCrowd, you won’t have to worry about sticking to your budget.
Expectation #2: Custom design takes a lot of time
If you’re working with just one designer, it may take a while to receive even the initial draft.
On average, a logo designer could create a custom design anywhere between 10 to 30 hours. On the other hand, a custom web design may take about four to six weeks. That’s a lot of waiting!
This is the reason some businesses often resort to design templates — they don’t have time to wait.
Reality #2: It can have a fast turnaround time
It’s possible to get the design you want within a short time.
When you crowdsource your logo design, for example, many freelance logo designers would send their work your way in just a few hours. That’s how easy it is to work with designers from DesignCrowd.
Expectation #3: Anyone can do it
This is another popular misconception on branding and custom designs. Many people think that for as long as you know how to use Photoshop and other platforms you can create images with, you’d be able to make your own design. That’s not the case. In addition, not all graphic artists would fit your custom design project.
Without experience and sufficient industry knowledge, you may end up with a design that doesn’t appeal to your target market.
Reality #3: You need help from professionals and experts
Remember that you’re building your brand’s identity with your logos, websites, and other marketing collaterals. Would you trust just anybody to do these for you?
Designing is a creative process that requires skill and experience. To get it right, you’ll have to work with experts.
At DesignCrowd, thousands of professionals are available to help you. With more minds working on your project, you’ll see different interpretations of your vision. Consequently, you’d be able to choose the one that works best for your brand.
Expectation #4: You need to prepare lengthy instructions for the designers
Some people think that they have to prepare lengthy instructions for designers to get their logo or website right. But who has time to make such a document? To avoid this, some businesses
would opt for template designs and would tweak it to give it a bit of personality.
Reality #4: A short creative brief is enough
When you work with experts like those you’ll find in DesignCrowd, a short creative brief is enough to get your project started.
Make sure to include your company name, the type of industry you’re in, the kind of project you need, and how many designs you require. It’s that easy. Because you’re working with professionals, you don’t have to be too technical with your brief if you don’t want to. You could give them an overview and see what they can do for you.
Expectation #5: Custom designers offer a limited number of revisions
Traditionally, some designers would only provide a limited number of revisions before they tag the project as done. While this may work for some, others often have last-minute revision requests. When you’ve used up all your revision requests, you’ll be left with an output that you’re not completely satisfied with.
Some business owners also believe that once they receive a design, any revisions or adjustments will come with extra fees.
Reality #5: You can ask for revisions until you’re 100% satisfied with the design
At DesignCrowd, you can request changes until you get the perfect design. Additionally, you can remove submitted designs that you don’t like. Designers also expect to fine-tune their work based on client feedback. So this means you won’t have to worry about additional costs when refining your design—just communicate your changes, and they’ll adjust accordingly.
With this process, you’re 100% sure that you’ll receive a design that truly suits your business. Thus, working with DesignCrowd is risk-free because you can request changes for as long as you need.
Expectation #6: You can’t request for a refund once you’ve received design outputs
Many designers wouldn’t accept refund requests, especially once they’ve put in hours of work for the project. This often results in disappointment and frustration for clients.
Imagine not getting your money back for an output that you wouldn’t even use.
Reality #6: You can request for a refund if you don’t like any of the designs you received
At DesignCrowd, we understand that you may not like any of the designs you received. And that’s okay. We’ll refund your budget.
Getting a custom design for your logo and other marketing materials is easy, affordable, and risk-free with DesignCrowd. You either get the design you want or your money back. What more could you ask for?
Expectation #7: You only need a logo to build your brand
Some businesses believe that branding is limited to having a custom logo. While a logo is important, it’s just one aspect of branding.
Reality #7: Branding goes beyond logos
Branding includes consistent messaging across all touchpoints, such as your website, social media, and even packaging. A well-designed logo is essential, but to build a strong brand, your custom design must also extend to business cards, brochures, and email templates.
DesignCrowd offers custom designs for a variety of marketing materials that can help strengthen your brand identity.
Expectation #8: Custom design is a one-time investment
Many businesses think that once their custom designs are created, there’s no need for future updates or tweaks.
Reality #8: Branding evolves with your business
Your brand’s design needs to evolve to stay relevant. As your business grows or as design trends change, you might need to refresh your brand identity. At DesignCrowd, you can return for updates and adjustments to keep your brand current, ensuring your visuals reflect your brand’s growth.
Expectation #9: Custom design doesn’t impact business performance
Some business owners believe that custom design is only about aesthetics and doesn’t contribute to the overall performance or growth of their business.
Reality #9: Good design drives business success
Custom design is more than just making your brand look good — it directly impacts how potential customers perceive and interact with your business. A well-designed logo, website, or marketing collateral can improve customer trust, engagement, and conversions.
Studies show that businesses with professional and consistent branding are more likely to attract and retain customers. At DesignCrowd, our designers create visuals that not only reflect your brand but also help boost your business’s success.
Are you ready to try DesignCrowd? See how it works here.
Do you need some design inspirations? Let us help you get started! Check out our recommendations:
- 40 Iconic Logo Examples For Influential Brands
- 42 Beautifully Designed Abstract Logos of Big Brands
- 40 Great Hotel Logo Design Examples
- 80 Gaming Logos for eSports Teams and Gamers
- 60 Wing Logos To Get Your Dream Off The Ground
Written by DesignCrowd on Friday, November 15, 2019
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.