Web Site Cookbook

5.2. Creating a Web-Friendly Logo

Problem

You need a graphical representation of your company or organization to display on your web site.

Solution

Whether you're converting an existing graphic for online use or starting from scratch, keep these guidelines in mind when creating a logo for your web site:

Make sure the logo matches your business.

Your web site logo should closely resemble the logo from your offline materials, such as your storefront sign, business cards, or letterhead (see Figure 5-3).

Figure 5-3. Keep offline and online logos consistent, like those found on the receipt and web site (inset) for this San Antonio clothing retailer

Keep it simple.

Straightforward web logos that combine small, plain glyphs or graphics with a stylized text treatment of the name of the site work best (see Figure 5-4).

Figure 5-4. Deceptively simple text treatment and color usage combine to make one of the best web site logos

Keep it small.

Both the dimensions and file size of your web logo are crucial. The logo has to load fast, but as the most important graphic on your site, it has to look good in a small space, too.

Use a domain suffix for distinctiveness.

Although it's not absolutely necessary, adding a graphical .com, .biz, or other domain identifier to your logo can be a key part of your online marketing ...