Thanks for the excellent comments. The objective of my article was to address folks who completely lack a logo. I didn't want to go down the subjective path of critiquing individual logos, only because that's difficult to do with the limited amount of space available in a blog. I understand I was opening up a critique of Grande Med Spa, but my intent was to highlight it versus those who have no logos whatsoever.

Some good points in the discussion above. There is much complexity and nuance around building and maintaining a brand and identity, and choosing / creating the right logo to reinforce your brand and identity. I merely want to express that your logo is the foundation of your brand. Your website, marketing and promotional materials — all of which should integrate your logo — communicate your brand. The more clear and consistent you communicate visually and verbally who you are, the more effective your overall brand strategy becomes.

So, whether you are the innovative maverick; or the experienced, reliable one; or the high-cost, high-quality option; or the low-cost, high-value option; that is up to you. All I would suggest is that you can’t be all things to all people. Decide who it is you want to be — and be consistent — and that starts with your logo!

I think you misunderstood Anna. When she said not to use photos, she meant a photo of your logo. For example, taking a picture of your sign outside your establishment and posting that on your website, use for your logo, or on your SpaBoom gift certificates. I don't think I have ever seen this done, so maybe it's not a common thing. However, the next time I do see someone using a photo of their logo from a sign instead of a jpg or bit map file, I will think of Anna right away.

I also took a look at the Spa Emergency site (both for Michigan and for our home area of Pittsburgh). I encourage all to visit this site to make sure that they are updating their information (I did this several months ago and it has really made our listing stand out amongst the others). While I think that logos are important, I don't agree with Ana regarding the use of pictures. We live in a visual society and pictures are one of the fastest ways to get your point across (ever hear the cliche "a picture is worth a 1000 words"). How true this is. The more important point is, if you do use a picture (or a logo for that matter), you have to make sure that it reflects your business and no one else's. My husband decided when we started ESSpa Kozmetika that I would be the "brand" of the business (he thinks that I look the part) and think of it this way:

If someone is comparing spas just on the web listing, print advertisement, brochure, business card or other branded item then which would be more attractive: Spa A) the place with a pretty logo a la Grande Med Spa or; Spa B) the place with a professional picture of a natural, smiling owner in the business itself.

The picture we use for ESSpa Kozmetika at Spa Emergency is the same picture that we use for our business cards, for our customized plastic Gift Cards, and for other related advertising.

And if you don't believe that pictures make a difference, imagine our surprise when a local competitor used a generic picture in a recent newspaper ad that happened to be the same picture we used on the cover of our Brochure - needless to say, our brochures now use our own (my) picture.

Of course I could be wrong but since the rest of the local spa industry is copying what we are doing, then I don't think that I am.

Good Luck,
Eva Sztupka-Kerschbaumer
ESSpa Kozmetika Organic Skincare
www.esspa.com

I want to comment on the Grande Med Spa logo. I want to congratulate the author for getting her client spa's name out there on the web, bravo. You are a smart consultant!

I disagree with what Anna believes The Grande Med Spa's represents. I did as she recommended and went to the Spa Emergency website and looked at all the logos for Michigan. Yes, the GMA's logo stands out, but only because it isn't using SpaBoom's generic business name generator. When I saw the word "Med," my first thought was Club Med, and that isn't medical. I couldn't even read the tiny line of print at the bottom of the logo. I had to go to their website to find it says, "A Center for CosMedic Rejuvenation." You really have to pay attention to notice there are silhouettes of a man and a woman on the GMS logo.

A great logo doesn't make or break an establishment. A logo alone will not make me think a place is a quality establishment. Burger King has a professional logo, but most the BK's I have been in are icky. Perhaps BK should have some line art of the King slipping on a greasy floor built into their logo.

A good logo should be easy to read and get a customer's attention. If you can include some art work which helps people understand your business better, that's great. But honestly, the general public doesn't pay that much attention to signage unless they are specifically looking for it.

Before I started my clinic I rarely noticed the logo's of local businesses. I now also read the newspaper differently. I notice the ads more than the articles. I am always checking to see how the competition is marketing themselves, how many ads they run in the paper, the size of the ad, etc… The general public needs to see ads or logos multiple times before they actually notice it and think about acting on it. I am no longer objective. Don't you hate that when that happens Anna?