Seriously, a good logo can make you or break you. Your logo truly is a direct reflection of your company, of your brand and of you. To make your logo look its best, here are a few design tips to follow.

Tip #1: Use templates to get you started. Many software programs, like Logo Design Studio, have templates that are easy to manipulate into your own creation. You can also create your logo on Web sites like Logoyes (www.logoyes.com) where you pick base designs and then you tweak the image or font to your liking. You can get a nice logo designed for $99.

Tip #2: Check out the competition. You want to make sure you know all of your competitors' logos because you do not want to look the same as theirs. You want to make your logo unique, but it should still fit in with your industry. A funeral home should not have a fun, upbeat logo – that just does not jive with the funeral business and some might find it inappropriate.

Also, if your logo looks similar to a competitor's logo, you will either drive business to the other company because people cannot tell the difference, or you will just look like a copycat.

Tip #3: Your design should be balanced. Make it more exciting and professional than clip art, but do not go too overboard with intricate designs that make people squint when they look at it. Make sure any words you use in your logo, such as your slogan or your business name, is clear and easy to read. Do not go font crazy! And be sure your logo looks good on everything from booklet printing to business cards to billboards.

Tip #4: Ask for opinions. Ask employees, former colleagues, friends and family – anyone who will take a gander – for their feedback. What do they like about it? What do not they like? Is it clear? What kind of feeling does your logo give off? These are all important questions that need to be answered before you print your logo on all your business wares.

Tip #5: Do not make a rush decision. When you ask for opinions, you should consider giving people a choice of logos so they can tell you which one fits you best. Then, sleep on it. Ask more people and sleep on it again. A logo design is not something to take lightly – you are going to have to see it every day for many, many years. If you change your logo a few years down the road because you do not like it, you are going to have to build up business and your brand all over again because people won't know who the new logo belongs to.

Tip #6: Register your logo after you have designed it. You'll need to register a trademark on your logo design so no one can copy it. Go to www.uspto.gov for more information.