We know, we know. The last thing you want to hear right now is that graphic design is important for your business. But, let’s face it, your brand is more important than ever.
From first impressions to reaching your target market and building brand awareness, branding is one of the many ways that you can stand out from your competition.
With that in mind, how do you, a business owner with a million and one things to do, manage to add graphic design to that list?
We’ll walk you through it!
Figure Out What Design Your Business Needs
Every business is different and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
Not sure what you need? For many businesses, a logo, business card, social media graphics and online advertisements are a good start.
Outside of the basics, the industry is everything when it comes to graphic design needs. A quick Google search or a design-savvy friend can help point you in the right direction.
Design Tips for the DIY’er
If you go the DIY route, the best thing to remember is that consistency and simplicity are key. You can get away without hiring a professional designer if you follow a few rules of thumb:
- Limit your color scheme to three colors
- Stick to two or three fonts
- Keep your usage of all caps to a minimum
- Make sure the text is readable and easy on the eyes - black and white is ideal!
- Avoid overcrowding the space
You've probably heard it before, but less is more!
Check out some big brands and see what they do. Chances are their designs are simple and to the point.
In other words, you don’t need every bit of information in a single graphic. For many designs, it’s even best to direct people to your website (or into your store) anyways.
Graphic Design Resources
If trying your hand at design doesn’t scare you, there are a couple of websites to make the job a little easier.
- Canva
Canva is a free platform with a wide range of design templates. From business cards to flyers, social media posts, email newsletters and more, Canva has many options to pick from. Once you've chosen your template, all you have to do is plug in the words or photos you want on your graphic!
- Unsplash
Because of copyright laws, most photos you see on the internet are not free to use. You could even run into legal issues for doing so. This is where Unsplash comes in handy. With over 300 million high-quality images, you're sure to find the perfect photo for your needs.
Graphic Design Services
If you don’t have the time, skill or desire to create your own designs, you don’t have to give up. You still have options!
Though we know money is limiting, there are a couple of budget-friendly design services to choose from:
- Fiverr
There are no monthly subscriptions with Fiverr — just service fees per project. The price of the fees starts at $2 and max out at 5% of the project's total cost. With projects starting as low as $5, you’re sure to find something that works for you!
- Freelancer
Freelancer has four different plans to choose from, and membership fees don’t go over $28 a month. Better yet, the lowest-cost membership is just $0.87. Project costs vary and may be charged by the hour or a fixed cost upfront. No matter what you pay, Freelancer conducts certification exams so you know you’re hiring a skilled designer.
Final Thoughts
If done correctly, graphic design can be a powerful asset for your business.
Quality design helps establish authority and can set you apart from your competition.
It may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Between free resources and budget-friendly services, branding your small business can be easier than you think!
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