The vast majority of logo design websites online represent the low-end of the design market. The majority of these websites outsource their work to developing countries. If you're serious about obtaining a profession logo design that reaches your target audience, conveys your corporate message, and helps you sell, it's important to know what to look for when choosing a logo designer online.
They focus on "unlimited revisions" & "satisfaction guaranteed".
Unlimited revisions from a bad designer isn't going to get you anywhere. Revisions are not what creates quality in the design process; talented designers create quality. Satisfaction guaranteed is a gimick that attempts to relieve your perceived risk. If satisfaction was really guaranteed, why don't they just let you pay at the end of the project?
The turnaround time is within hours or days
At a minimum, the design process should take a week. This includes a day for research and communication, several days of sketching and design, and several days for revisions.
They cost $50, $199, $299 etc
Think about it - it takes at least a weeks worth of work to design a logo (40+ hours). How can someone possibly sell this at this cost and survive? They can, because (1) they reside in a developing country (likely India or China), and/or (2) they outsource their work to a developing country, and/or (3) they simply don't spend any time on your design, and/or (4) they are not talented and have to charge whatever they can get. All of these situations present problems.
They sell packages.
Professional designers everywhere will tell you that pricing a logo design project is an involved process that is unique to each client and their specific goals and needs. This is the first sign that the company is intent on commoditizing the design process and delivering you a cookie-cutter logo.
They have a toll free number listed with a customer service rep standing by
Companies that try to hide their location frequently use toll free numbers. Logo design isn't about lightning-fast customer service with a person that isn't responsible for your project and does not care if you succeed - it is about real communication with stakeholds in your project, and developing mutual understanding and a shared vision.
They advertise "hundreds of logo concepts" from "thousands of designers".
This is another step in the commoditization of the design process and it's natural (but incorrect) for us to think that more is better. Again, great logo design is not a byproduct of rounds of revisions, number of concepts, or having a mass-quantity of designers. All you want is one great logo.
You can pay online & start your project without speaking to anyone.
Completing a design brief is a critical part of the design process. But five or six written questions about your business is not enough for any designer to have an adequate background to get started on your design. Before any design work occurs, there should be back-and-forth communication, discussion, and questions between client and designer.
They are interested in learning about your company
Great logo designers understand that the logo is only a part of your overall brand identity, and in order to create the right logo, they'll need to understand your business, industry, and project goals.
The design process includes research and sketches
There are fundamental steps to the design process, and all great designers follow a process that looks something like this: Information Gathering -> Research -> Idea Generation -> Sketches -> Presentation -> Revisions.
You know your designer's name and contact information
Communication is vital to the design process.
They require a deposit
Like the rest of the business world, professional designers don't work for free. They need to ensure you're serious and protect themselves before dedicating time and engery to your project.
They can provide recent high-quality portfolio work and case-study examples
Ask to see some of the designer's work completed over the last few months. When reviewing an artist's portfolio, look for quality over quantity. Many designers provide clients with massive portfolios that include some great logo designs, and some very poor designs. It is best if the designer has consistently produced quality work in a design style that matches the look you'd like to convey.