How to Find an Image to Use for My Business Logo

A big part of owning a business is branding, or how your customers see and recognize you. This covers things such as your personality, services you provide, prices, and even your business logo. However, finding the right image to match a business is no small feat, and while you can find something close to what you want online, you'll need a designer if you want it to be an exact match.

• 1

  Visit image libraries online such as Dreams Time, I Stock Photo, or Shutter Stock and read over their usage agreements. These sites require payment in way of credits, and the rules of use differ for each one. Some limit the use of images to 10,000 views, so keep this in mind when trying to find the right image.

• 2

  Type your keywords into the search bar of any of the sites you visit and study the results. It may take some time to find an image you're happy enough with to use as your business logo. Images come in a collection of different sizes. Pick the size that's best for you and download it to your computer. You'll probably want to tweak it a little bit either with the colors or the composition. This is where a graphic designer comes in.

• 3

  Visit artist sites such as Deviantart and drop by the forums. You can make a post there with the image you have and the changes you want to be made for your business logo. Give your price range as well so designers know ahead of time how profitable your project is going to be. Offers will come in quickly, so refresh the page until you find a designer you're willing to work with. Most artists will make notes though a series of emails and offer up a sketch of what they have in mind. They may come up with a design better than the one you found on your own. Once you're pleased with the design, the artist can begin her work.

• 4

  Ask for a contract with the terms of agreement. Where and how are you allowed to use the logo? Is it for fliers, business cards, letterheads or website banners? Get it all in writing so that if something should happen, you can still keep the rights to the image for the reasons you originally agreed upon.