We all know that when you have a company, you also need a good logo to represent your business. After all, a well recognized logo design installs trust in your company's brand. New companies should know what to look for when shopping around for a quality logo because it will define your business for many years. Good or Bad.

A good quality logo is a process that should not be overlooked. Many new business owners who shop for a logo start by shopping by price. Though price is important, it's not advisable to make price your only factor.

Here are some key factors you should expect when having a professional logo designed:

1. Most logo designers should start with basic research of their logo ideas. If they do not, they risk making a mistake by creating a logo that conflicts with another company's trademarked logo.
2. A logo design should be a process of not just a single logo but a variety of logos you can choose from. Many business owners who are un-aware of this process purchase a single logo design because of it's cost, only to discover they do not like the logo that was developed.
3. You should also ensure your logo can be trademarked. If you get denied a trademark, that means your logo is already infringing on a copyright.
4. Make sure your logo is designed using a vector artwork program such as Adobe Illustrator. Logos should never be designed using Photoshop.
5. A logo should be simple in design but appealing to the eye. Too much detail or graphics can make your logo look distorted when small or viewed at a distance.
6. Make sure you get 3 variations of your final logo - 1 full color logo, 1 light color logo for dark backgrounds, and 1 dark color logo for light backgrounds.
7. Ensure your logo is relevant to your business. Quality design takes time.
8. Make sure your logo is appropriate. If you have a construction company, it probably isn't a good idea to incorporate pink colors and flowers in the logo. Obviously this would be an extreme example, but it's the principle. Make sure color schemes and the overall feel of the logo represent what your company is trying to relay to its customers.
9. A logo must be able to stand the test of time, no matter how the culture and technology changes.
10. And the most important rule of all is that the logo MUST be memorable. If you can't remember the company's logo, then the logo was poorly created. It could look nice, clean, and very professional, but if it doesn't stick in your head, it's'' just simply not effective.

A really great article on logo design can be found at Smashing Magazine: vital tips for effective logo design.