Cheap logo design is often misunderstood. Many business owners assume that if a logo is affordable, it must be poor quality. But is that really true? Or can you get a professional logo on a budget without sacrificing credibility, brand trust, or long-term growth?
In this guide, we’ll break down what cheap logo design really means, when it works, when it doesn’t, and how to make smart decisions if you’re working with logos on a budget.
Whether you’re a startup, freelancer, local business, or side hustle, this article will help you avoid expensive mistakes while still building a strong brand identity.
What Does “Cheap Logo Design” Actually Mean?
Cheap logo design doesn’t mean bad logo design. It simply means a logo that is:
- Affordable for small businesses
- Efficiently designed without unnecessary extras
- Focused on essentials rather than hype
- Scaled to your current business stage
A £100–£300 logo for a startup can be far smarter than a £3,000 logo you don’t yet need. The key difference is value, not price.
A cheap logo becomes a bad logo only when:
- There’s no strategy behind it
- Files are unusable
- The design is copied or generic
- You can’t scale or adapt it
Why Logo Design Is So Important (Even on a Budget)
Your logo is often the first interaction someone has with your brand. Before they read your content, visit your website, or speak to you, they see your logo.
A logo helps your business:
- Build trust and credibility
- Look established and professional
- Stand out from competitors
- Create consistency across platforms
- Improve brand recall
According to research from Crowdspring, 60% of consumers avoid businesses with unattractive logos, even if the reviews are positive.
Even if you’re using cheap logo design services, your logo still needs to:
- Be clear at all sizes
- Work in colour and black & white
- Look professional on websites and social media
- Align with your brand tone
A budget logo should still be strategic, not rushed.
Does Cheap Logo Design Mean a Bad Logo?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Only if you choose the wrong provider.
Cheap logo design works well when:
- You’re early-stage or testing an idea
- You need a clean, simple identity
- You want speed and clarity
- You understand your brand basics
It fails when:
- You buy mass-produced templates
- You get no revisions
- You receive only low-quality files
- There’s zero branding thinking
A well-designed simple logo often outperforms an over-designed expensive one.
The 3 Main Types of Logos (And Which Work Best on a Budget)
1. Wordmark Logos (Best for Cheap Logo Design)
A wordmark logo focuses purely on typography (e.g. Google, Coca-Cola).
Why it’s budget-friendly:
- Faster to design
- Less complex
- Clear brand name visibility
Best for:
- Startups
- Local businesses
- Service-based brands
2. Symbol or Icon Logos
These are logo marks without text (e.g. Apple, Twitter).
Downside on a budget:
- Harder to get right
- Needs strong brand recognition
- Risky if poorly designed
Best avoided unless combined with text.
3. Combination Logos (Most Popular Choice)
A mix of text + symbol.
Why it works well:
- Flexible
- Scales easily
- Strong brand recognition
This is usually the best option for logos on a budget because it gives versatility without huge cost.
What You Actually Get With Cheap Logo Design
A professional cheap logo design should still include proper deliverables.
Standard logo formats you should receive:
- PNG – Transparent background (web & social media)
- JPEG – General usage
- SVG or EPS – Scalable vector files (print & large formats)
- PDF – Print-ready
Without these formats, your logo will limit you as your business grows.
If your provider only sends a single image file, that’s a red flag.
Average Cost of Logo Design
Here’s a realistic breakdown of logo pricing in the UK:
| Provider Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| DIY Tools | £0 – £50 |
| Cheap Logo Design Services | £100 – £300 |
| Freelance Designers | £300 – £1,000 |
| Branding Agencies | £1,500 – £5,000+ |
According to Tailor Brands, the average small business spends £250–£500 on a logo.
(Source: https://www.tailorbrands.com/blog/logo-design-cost)
Cheap logo design sits in the smart middle ground for new businesses.
Timeframes & Number of Revisions
Affordable logo design should still respect your time.
Typical timeframes:
- Initial concepts: 2–5 working days
- Revisions: 1–3 rounds
- Final delivery: 5–10 days total
More revisions doesn’t always mean better results. Clear feedback > endless changes.
Cheap Logo Design vs Branding Packages
A logo alone is not a brand.
If you plan to grow, your logo should integrate with:
- Your Branding strategy
- Your Web Design layout
- Your SEO presence
That’s why many businesses start with a cheap logo, then expand into:
- Brand colours
- Typography
- Website visuals
- Social media assets
This staged approach saves money without limiting growth.
How Cheap Logo Design Supports SEO & Web Design
Your logo directly affects:
- Website trust signals
- User experience
- Brand recognition
- Conversion rates
A clean logo improves:
- Website design consistency
- Bounce rates
- Professional appearance
That’s why logo design should always be considered alongside Web Design and SEO, not in isolation.
Final Thoughts: Cheap Logo Design Done Right
Cheap logo design does not mean cheap results.
It means:
- Smart budgeting
- Clear priorities
- Scalable thinking
- Professional execution
A logo on a budget can still:
- Build trust
- Look professional
- Support your website
- Grow with your business
The goal isn’t to spend less, it’s to spend wisely.
Cheap Logo Design FAQs
Does cheap logo design mean a bad logo?
Not always. Cheap logo design can still be professional if it’s custom-made, scalable, and delivered in proper file formats. It’s usually poor quality only when it’s generic, copied, or missing key files like SVG or EPS.
What’s included in a cheap logo design package?
A good budget logo package should include a primary logo, colour and black-and-white versions, and files such as PNG, JPG, and vector formats (SVG, EPS, or PDF) for web and print use.
What file formats should I get for my logo?
You should receive PNG (with a transparent background), JPG, and at least one vector file like SVG or EPS. Vector files are essential for scaling your logo without losing quality.
How long does cheap logo design take?
Most affordable logo projects take between 5 and 10 working days, depending on feedback speed and how many revisions are included.
How many revisions should a cheap logo design include?
Typically, 1 to 3 revision rounds are standard for logos on a budget. Clear feedback usually matters more than unlimited revisions.
What are the 3 types of logos?
The three most common logo types are wordmark logos (text-only), symbol or icon logos (graphic mark), and combination logos (text plus icon).
Which logo type is best for logos on a budget?
Wordmark and combination logos are usually the best choice for logos on a budget because they’re versatile, clear for new brands, and quicker to design effectively.
Can I use a cheap logo design for a professional business website?
Yes. As long as the logo is clean, high-resolution, and supplied in the correct formats, it can look professional on websites, social media, and marketing materials.
What are red flags when buying a cheap logo design?
Warning signs include template-only designs, no vector files, no revision process, copied-looking logos, and providers who can’t show examples or explain their design process.
Is a logo the same as branding?
No. A logo is just one part of branding. Branding also includes colours, typography, tone of voice, imagery, and how your business appears across your website and marketing.
Should I do logo design before web design and SEO?
In most cases, yes. A logo helps define your visual identity for web design, and consistent branding improves trust and conversion rates from SEO traffic.