With the world connected like never before and competition multiplying faster than germs; every brand needs to wow; visually, above all. This is why big corporations spend a lot of money on branding; a considerable part of the budget spent on graphic design. On the other end of the spectrum, a small business owner with a limited budget is asking if getting professional graphic design help is necessary. The short and honest answer: YES. Here are the pros and cons of hiring a graphic designer for a small business.

But first — the cold, hard truth

Here is a fun experiment. Ask any small business owner what their priorities are when starting a business. Chances are, graphic design will appear somewhere on that list. Now, for a simple follow up; ask them to arrange that list based on spending priorities. It won’t be surprising to find that most entrepreneurs would spend very little to no money for graphic design.

Graphic design is often relegated to an afterthought. Small business owners would often say they or someone in their team can do it themselves or they can get an image from a stock photo site or search engines. More often than not, these shortcuts lead to unsatisfactory, and costly, consequences.

Why High-Quality Graphic Design for Small Business is a MUST

A small business owner might not have enough on their capital to pay for professional graphic design services, or they may just be reluctant to pay for it. However, the value of a professionally designed website, logo, and other graphic materials is much more than the costs.

What can a small business owner get out of their graphic design investment?

  1. Professional results – Essentially, you get what you pay for. DIY-ed graphic designs look cheap and unprofessional. No business wants to be associated with those adjectives.

  2. Specialized experience – A graphic design pro isn’t just an expert in making things look pretty. Their knowledge of design trends, elements, colors, structures, and, yes, even psychology will help any brand stand out and make a solid first impression that can convert to sales.

  3. Time Savings – Delegating the crucial job of graphic design to pro will give the business owner more time to focus on the daily operations and growing the business.

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The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Graphic Designer for a Small Business

Still not convinced that graphic design is a great investment for a small business?

Let’s start with the pros.

  • A Great First Impression

A brand’s visual appeal portrays its quality. In a split second, visitors, based on what they see, will either label the brand as cheap and unprofessional or sleek and credible. If the visual appeal is of the latter kind, visitors are more likely to stay long enough to see the company’s offers.

  • Great Design = Great Results

Professional websites compel visitors to buy the offered products or services. From the trustworthiness of the site’s look and feel to the different colors that evoke certain emotions to the structure, a website that is well-designed will direct visitors to the purchase button.

  • Great Distinction

Every business person knows that competition is fierce these days. What can set a business apart could be as simple as their logo. Creativity and uniqueness can make any brand stand out from the sea of competitors.

  • Great Consistency

A graphic design pro will deliver precise and consistent results to make sure the customer’s experience is the same across the board. This consistency is important for a brand’s credibility and recognisability.

  • A Great Investment

Investing in professional graphic design services may cost the business owner upfront but, as discussed, the value outweighs whatever cost is incurred. On top of that, investing now will most likely save the company money in the long run because design changes, which are costly and harmful to the brand, will be unnecessary.

As for the cons, there’s only one: finding the right graphic designer can be difficult. But even that is a small inconvenience compared to the benefits they can provide. To find a good graphic designer, simply look at the company’s:

  1. portfolio of past work;

  2. proof of life;

  3. client reviews, and;

  4. communication style.

Graphic Design for Small Business: Final Thoughts

According to Princeton psychologist Alexander Todorov, people see a face for one-tenth of a second and immediately make judgments about that person. These snap judgments, in today’s very visual age, also apply to graphic design.

As with anything in life, there are pros and cons of hiring a graphic designer for a small business. However, it’s safe to say that the pros far outweigh the cons. With a small investment and a little bit of effort, any small business can have professional-looking and high-quality graphic design that can make the brand stand out.