Do I Need a Logo Before I Get a Website?

No. You don’t.

I know that sounds blunt. But this is one of the most common reasons I see people delay getting their business online — and it doesn’t need to be.

The perfect logo trap

Here’s what happens. Someone decides they need a website. But before they can build a website, they think they need a logo. Before they can get a logo, they need to figure out their brand colours. Before they choose colours, they want to nail down their brand strategy. And suddenly it’s three months later and nothing has happened.

Meanwhile, the business still doesn’t have a website. Customers still can’t find them on Google. And that competitor with the average logo and the decent website? They’re getting the bookings.

A business that’s launched and making money with an imperfect logo beats a business that delays launching — and therefore revenue — for three months waiting for a technically perfect one.

Your customers don’t care as much as you think

Be honest — when was the last time you found a product or service you liked and then decided not to go ahead because the logo wasn’t exactly how you would have done it?

Probably not that often.

Your logo is something you will spend thousands of times more time looking at than your customers will. They care about what you do, whether you can help them, and how easy it is to get in touch. The logo is the last thing on their list.

What you actually need to get started

You don’t need a logo to launch a website. You need:

Your business name in a clean, readable font — that’s your logo for now. A couple of brand colours. Some photos of you and your work. And the content — what you do, who you help, and how to contact you. That’s five pages worth of material.

That’s it. Every decent website platform lets you update the logo later when you’re ready. It’s not a permanent decision.

I’ve changed my own logo

I’ve already changed the PSOS logo since starting this business. It’s not a forever thing. Decide on what works for right now and move on. Your brand will evolve as your business evolves — and that’s completely normal.

If you do want a logo, keep it simple and affordable

You don’t need to be a graphic designer or pay a design agency thousands of dollars. (And if you’re wondering what a website actually costs, it’s probably less than you think.)

For most service-based businesses, a clean text-based logo — your business name in a well-chosen font — is perfectly professional. Many established brands use nothing more than that.

If you want something designed, you can find a decent graphic designer on platforms like Fiverr for $50–$100 AUD. Or try Canva’s free plan and have a go yourself — there are plenty of 15-minute YouTube tutorials that’ll walk you through it.

If your business grows and you want a more polished brand identity down the track, you can invest in that when the revenue justifies it. But right now, the priority is getting online.

The bottom line

Don’t let the logo be the thing that stops you from launching. A simple, clean business name on a working website will do more for your business than a perfect logo on a website that doesn’t exist yet.

Get online first. Refine later.

Not sure what your business needs to get started? Take my free 30-second quiz to find out — no phone call, no sales pitch, just a straight answer.