If you are reading this, you probably plan to start a small business or internet based project very soon. You probably have a couple of questions running through your mind like: "Do I really need a logo?" Or "Yes, I really need one, but how can I get it on a budget?" This is where I can help.

First of all, yes, you do need a logo - it does not matter how large or small your business is. Even if you are making small craft items to sell to your relatives and friends, you still need a logo. If you plan to monetize an idea, you need a logo for it. Otherwise your work, your efforts, your image and your future brand belong to everyone, like strawberries at a supermarket.

Most importantly, the final design you come up with should be effective enough to promote your business and get you that place in the sun. Here are a few tips that will make the whole process easier and more fun. The first step to a killer logo is an idea. Start feeding your brain with new impressions and experiences. Use anything that works for you. Try walking and gain inspiration from nature. Visit an art gallery. Basically, any kind of activity that fills you with energy and pleasure may help you get that revolutionary idea.

It is always useful to browse the websites (or social media profiles) of your potential rivals to judge their logos and analyse the opposition. Do you find your competitor's logo effective or attractive? Try to think of the ways it helps the rival company to be profitable. Is there something you would change? Why? All of these questions can really help you to improve your own perception of your brand as well as your future marketing strategy. Find out what the strengths and weaknesses of your rivals are and benefit from that knowledge. When it comes to logo design, there are and always will be several safe choices, like bold and elegant black and white logos or serif font wordmarks. But if you are striving to get that killer logo, do not be afraid to cross the line and try something rebellious. Go out there and get to know the latest design trends. For example, you may experiment with the bold colours like Ultra Violet, which is the Pantone colour of the year. You might also play with the typography and colour gradients.

There is nothing worse than a static, old fashioned website. Technology moves on at pace. Is your site responsive? Does it work equally well on smartphones, tablets and laptops? Does it conform to the latest browser standards? Older sites tend to be penalised in search engine rankings as features become dated or no longer work correctly. Is your site secure? Does it benefit from SSL/https? An insecure site puts you at a disadvantage.

Do you update your website regularly? Infrequently maintained or static sites can rapidly lose search engine ranking. Make sure that you post new information and incorporate social media updates to improve your Google ranking.

Having a solid, trusted brand is important for your company to thrive. If your target audience does not know or trust your brand, how will you ever increase your customer base and sales? Here are six innovative strategies you can use to increase brand awareness and help your business thrive. Inviting influencers into your niche is a great way to increase brand awareness and hopefully drive sales. When influencers have an established audience that knows and trusts them, once they mention your products and discuss your brand in their content, those mentions will expand your reach and increase people's awareness of your product.

Social Media is a fantastic and easy way to enhance your market penetration. It is simple to attract new prospects and we all know the benefit of peer group recommendations.

Corporate sponsorship is a great way to improve brand visibility. There are many opportunities to participate in events to recruit new customers.

How companies present their brand, and the story they tell through their design and graphics, can create an emotional connection with the customer that may last even longer than the product itself.