Businesses eager to open often give little thought to their identity. With so much to get done, designing an appropriate logo hardly seems like a top priority. However, this oversight can prove to be a costly error in the long run.

While it's admirable to let your uncle's wife's cousin take a crack at designing your logo, it might not be very wise - especially if it's not what they do professionally day-in and day-out. You don't let just anyone contact your best clients. Nor do you let just anyone develop your mission statement. You get the idea here. The good news is that there are now many online, cost-effective ways to have a professional work on your design projects (eg., http:// www.bullseyelogo.com). You get high-quality without having to pay the traditional ad agency prices.