Should I buy a premade logo?

Building on the previous article about logos, let’s explore the idea of using a premade logo from a stock page.
As a logo designer, I can see that, for some, this can be a great on-the-budget/on-the-go solution. However, it comes with conditions, and you should be prepared to invest time and effort (perhaps even money) to make it work for you. Before you dive into the world of pre-made logos, below you will find a few important questions you should have clear answers to.

Your Brand Identity:
- Who are you as a brand, and what does your business stand for?
- What sets you apart?
- Why people should care about your brand and what you sell?
- How do you see it grow?

Target Audience:
- Who is your target audience?
- Do you (as a brand) understand their interests, sources of inspiration, problems, and life goals?
- What channels will you use to engage them?

Marketing Strategy:
- Do you have a marketing strategy that combines industry knowledge, audience insights, and your business goals?

- Are you a disruptor bringing a breath of fresh air by going against the grain? Or are planning to exert a silent power of excellent service or exceptional product?

Verbal and Visual Language:
- Do you know how you wnat to your brand to sound and be perceived?
- What language, both verbal and visual, will resonate with your audience the most?

Timeline and Priorities:
- What’s your deadline for launching your brand, and do you know which parts of the visual identity you must have before the launch?

Industry Position:
- Where do you fit in your industry?
- Do you know your niche?

Logo Usage:
- How do you plan to use the logo? Will it be primarily for digital or print, or both?

Brand Voice:
- What will be the tone of voice for your brand? Are you more romantic and gentle, or straightforward and candid?

Competition Analysis:
- Are you looking at your competition?
- What are they doing, and how are they presenting themselves?
- Do you see an opening for your brand? Is there a niche that you will happily sit in?

Brand Styling:
- How will you style your brand? What imagery, fonts, and graphics will you use?
- Will this style align with your message and communication approach?

Brand Guidelines:
- Will you create guidelines to maintain brand consistency?
- And promise (really promise) to stick with them?

Additionally, there are some essential facts to consider before purchasing a stock logo:

Non-Exclusivity:
The graphic you receive is non-exclusive, meaning other businesses, potentially even in your industry, can use the same logo.This may lead to confusion and lost clients.

Trademark Limitations:
You might not be able to trademark a stock logo since it’s not exclusive to your brand.

Design Assistance:
You might still need a designer’s help to integrate all elements into a cohesive visual identity.

So, before you opt for a stock logo, make sure you’ve noted answers to these questions and are aware of the limitations that come with it.