With more and more crowdsourcing or logo design contest websites on the internet, many business people in the UK are wondering if this is the right way to get the logo design that they need. After all, it sounds like a win-win situation: you get logos from a variety of designers and pay for the one that is best for you. There are certainly pros and cons to crowdsourcing. Here are just a few:

• Crowdsourcing gives unknown and less experienced designers a chance to hone their skills and ‘break in’ to professional design work.
• Business owners can choose from a variety of designs.
• Less time is involved.
• Upfront costs often seem lower.

However, many logo designers would disagree about whether these advantages are as substantial as they might seem at first. While crowdsourcing definitely attracts less experienced designers without the education and/or experience to get a legitimate design job, it’s hard to see how this is an advantage for business owners. Further, while you certainly can choose from a variety of designs, many of these designs are sub-par and none of them were developed through the more brand-oriented process that a legitimate logo design agency will go through.

This brings us to the time consideration. Having a logo designed will certainly take some time, as you will have to explain what you need and what aspects of your company should be represented in your logo design. However, most logo design agencies have streamlined this process and now can determine your needs in a few short questions. While some crowdsourcing sites cost less, many actually cost more after listing fees and other costs are added in. Plus, you often will not be receiving the same calibre of logo. Which brings us to the drawbacks of crowdsourcing and logo design contests:

• Less experienced and less professional designers.
• In many cases, blatant plagiarism and unoriginal work.
• Designers must work with no guarantee of pay.
• Not much cheaper than cheaper than professional logo design.

If you want a logo design from someone without the training and experience needed to do the job professionally, you can probably find a friend to do it for free. The plagiarism found in crowdsourcing has proven to be a real issue, as many businesses end up having to start all over in the logo design process after their crowdsourced logo turns out to be copyrighted by someone else. All this trouble comes at very little savings, as most crowdsourcing sites cost almost as much or even more than a design from a professional design house.

Is a crowdsourced logo design right for your business? For the most part, the designs that come from these contests simply aren’t equal to those from a traditional design business. If you are looking for more than just a pretty picture, but instead a design that will represent your business, attract your target market, and increase sales, you should turn to a professional designer.