How to Choose the Perfect Font for Your Small Business

So, you've started a small business - high five to you! - and now you need to choose the perfect font to represent your brand.

You’re spending hours on Canva and Pinterest looking through fonts and feel like there’s a million that you LOVE -

but which font is perfect for your brand?

A font may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big impact on how your business is perceived.

You will be using your font across graphics, your website, your logos - every first impression people will have will probably include your fonts… no sweat, right?

That’s why I’m here today to share some tips to help you choose the perfect font for your small business - and make it a lot easier than you think!

Decide on Your Main Font Type

The first thing to consider when choosing a font is the mood you want to convey.

examples of fonts types

Do you want to be seen as elegant and sophisticated or fun and playful?

Different fonts can evoke different emotions. Below is a list of different font types and the vibe they give off to customers:

  • Serif - classic, refined, trustworthy

  • Sans Serif - modern, sleek, straightforward

  • Slab Serif - solid, attention-getting, confident

  • Display - unique, fun, unconventional

  • Script - elegant, creative, intentional

Think about the feel you want your brand to have and which of these font types align with that feel - that will help you to narrow down your choices and focus on one style of fonts to go for!


Spend Some Time Researching Fonts

It can sometimes feel like you need to rush into finding the perfect font - but I would recommend you to take your time while you research.

Spread your deep dive in font-searching across multiple days, only spending about 15 minutes at a time looking at fonts - because listen, your eyes are going to be glazed over from starting at your screen for so long.

There are a few places I generally spend time searching for fonts on:

  • Pinterest - this is where I usually go to find some inspiration on the style of font I like - i.e. thinner vs thicker, extra ligatures (those are those swoopy extra parts to the font’s characters), and more. Also, a lot of times the Pinterest posts will actually link right to the font site for you to view and purchase!

  • Creative Market - this is generally where I purchase fonts for my clients! You can type in whatever you want to see how your text looks using the font - which let me tell you, is EXTREMELY helpful if you struggle with visualizing fonts!

Again, take your time finding a font, testing it out, and don’t feel bad if you start using a font and decide you need to pivot! It’s important to land on one that you absolutely LOVE - because you are going to be stuck with it for a while!


What to Keep in Mind When Looking for a Font

There are a few more things that I want you to keep in mind as you are on the search for a font for your business:

  • If you decide on an extravagant main font for your business, your supporting fonts should be simple to make sure you don’t overwhelm your customers.

  • Script fonts are beautiful, but they should be more used as supportive than main fonts, since they are harder to read.

  • Legibility is SO important - there are lots of really fun fonts out there, but you want to make sure that YOUR business name is easy to read (sometimes, individual letters can look a little strange in certain fonts)

  • Consistency is key - no matter what, once you decide on a font, stick with using it on EVERY platform - you want to stamp brand consistency so you become recognizable to potential customers!

Choosing a font for your small business may seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on your brand's perception. Take the time to choose a font that reflects your business's personality, is easy to read, and is used consistently across all marketing materials. With these tips, you'll be able to choose the perfect font for your small business in no time. Happy font hunting!

Need more branding help? Check out my custom branding services to take the craziness of building your brand off your plate!

Previous
Previous

Should You Use Squarespace to Build Your Website as a Small Business Owner

Next
Next

4 Essential Tips for Building a Successful Visual Brand