When you’re launching your tech startup the idea may be the only thing on your mind.

When big business does focus groups to find out what their consumers think, the most important thing that sticks out in their minds is the logo. Not what you do or how you do it, but the little symbol that represents your company.

In this time of immediate gratification, the logo has become your initial introduction. This is how your potential consumer makes their first subconscious decisions about your company and whether they will do business with you.

In the tech startup space, these initial interactions are even more important to becoming part of the discussion. To become popular you have to stick out. The easiest way to make an immediate mark is to have a stellar logo.

Here we talk about things to consider when developing tech logos and how important it is to tell the story of your company.

Think About The Back Story of Your Tech Logo

When Apple first launched their logo was a dreamy storybook picture of Newton under a tree. As the company developed the logo changed too and has landed on that sleek silver apple that we all recognize today.

People love to see an evolution but more than that they love a story.

The more of a back story that you can have about your logo the better. You can then include this story in your marketing materials and make yourself more credible in your customer’s eyes.

You may want to go a bit literal like Cicayda.com whose logo is their name with the little “i” looking like a cicada.

If you’re working with a designer you want to talk to them about the formation of your business. Tell the story behind the idea. Give the designer something to run with.

Everyone knows the back story of Apple, right? We can all imagine Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak sitting in the garage of that house talking about a bright new future.

We can see them hashing out how it was going to work putting a personal computer into the homes of millions of Americans.

We see Steve Jobs making call after call to hundreds of potential investors trying to convince them to give this young upstart a chance.

You want people to talk about your story. Give them something to share with others. In this age of social media, it’s even more important to be on topic, on trend, relatable, and shareable.

Once you have a logo that tells the story of your business you have to consider the details of the logo.

Be Detailed Because It Matters

Tech logos especially depend on the details.

Even the color of your logo can make a huge difference in how well received you are.

There is a ton of research into colors and the difference they can make in your marketing. Did you know that blues are actually the best colors to use in tech logos?

Blue is followed by black, white, green, gray, red, and orange. The least favorable colors for tech logos are yellow, purple, brown, and the worst of all, pink.

The first four colors mentioned dominate the tech logos space and you won’t see the other colors at all in any more than 12% of all the logos there are.

In addition to color, consider showcasing what you do. When you look at a logo you should get an idea about the company.

Are you a playful robotic toys creator? Your logo might be playful as well. Have you created a new line of wireless keyboards? Maybe your logo could spell out your name in keyboard buttons.

You remember what the Superman logo is because it is super simple, bold, and to the point.

Strong design catches the attention of customers. This is important.

Don’t Try To Be Like Everybody Else

Tech logos need to set your company apart from the crowd and make you memorable.

If you are successful people all over the world could have your logo as a sticker on their car. How do you want to be represented?

Don’t copy what other people are doing unless your goal is to be like the other company. They will always compare you with them and since your competitor came first you probably won’t win. (Plus, if it’s too similar, they could sue you.)

Keep It Simple

Your logo should be crisp, clear, and concise.

Having too much going on can make it garbled and confusing.

Some of the best logos are a simple typeface with the company’s name or one simple image.

This also is the best for branching out with your logo and making it adaptable.

How will it look on mousepads and pens? Business cards, books, and instruction manuals. It has to read well across all marketing materials.

If your company name is more than one word, do yourself a favor and look at the acronym it might spell in a logo. You don’t want to end up as a #failedlogo meme.

By keeping it simple and streamlined you also give yourself a leg up in being able to keep the same logo for the life of your business. Think about Audrey Hepburn in that classic black dress in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

Simple is timeless. It will read well now and 50 years from now without needing a complete overhaul.

The Bottom Line on Tech Logos

Your logo IS your brand. It’s the first thing your customer will see and it’s your first impression.

Make sure you are going through a well thought out process, develop your back story, think about color, and decide what you want your logo to say about you before finalizing your design.

Designing the logo yourself allows you to have total control over the look and feel of your logo and brand.

Have you recently gone through the process of designing a logo? Do you have questions you think other readers might be able to help with? Please leave a comment below.