People of WHT I need your help.

I have (what I believe to be) a great idea for an upcoming website. I have essentially the entire site laid out, and all of the steps I'd take to make it successful. I have over four years of website creation and management, so I've done it before. But I've run in to an interesting problem.

One important aspect to this site would be the sites' mascot. I have no talent whatsoever in drawing, so I've looked around online. The one designer I'd like to use charges about $300 for a mascot.

I don't think I can justify paying $300, which is a bit more than half of my monthly revenue for my websites, for a mascot for a site that I don't know (for sure) will be successful.

I've found another company that'll do it for $50... however, their overall quality isn't as great, and they don't provide the amount of detail or service that the other one would.

What should I do?

Do I dare launch a website without it's mascot, and wait for it to grow before I spend so much on an investment?

Do I go for the less expensive, less quality mascot? And then upgrade once the site starts picking up?

Or do I invest in a good mascot? I personally believe it'd be a justified investment, and I have plenty of money from my websites, to the point that it won't affect any of my projects.

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks guys.

Is there a certain "concept" for the website?

You may not need any mascot at all...

Yes. It's a young, political website.

$300 for a mascot of high quality? That's nothing!

I think I know the illustrator you're talking about, and if it is who I think it is, the cost is well worth it.

for a site that I don't know (for sure) will be successful.I would worry more about this part. If you're not sure about the success for the site, you have much more dire things to consider than whether to pay $50 or $300 on a mascot. Once you can reverse this statement and say with reasonable confidence that your site will be successful (because you've put together the right plan to make it so), then you won't be so worried about paying $300 for a quality piece of brand identity.

I would worry more about this part. If you're not sure about the success for the site, you have much more dire things to consider than whether to pay $50 or $300 on a mascot. Once you can reverse this statement and say with reasonable confidence that your site will be successful (because you've put together the right plan to make it so), then you won't be so worried about paying $300 for a quality piece of brand identity.
I'm glad you brought that up, because I personally have complete faith in the site doing well. I'm just not sure if it's the correct move to spend a fair amount of money on something that may not be necessary.

It all depends on how you want to market your site. If you're going to have a typical website, you probably don't need to spend $300 on the mascot. However, look at companies like Chick-fil-a and Geico where all marketing revolves around their mascot. If you have faith in this website, the $300 would be worth it because it can make marketing much easier. I spent a summer internship with a marketing company, and I can say from experience that a good mascot/logo really helps in the advertising.

It really has to do with how the users of your site will connect with your brand. How is it that they learn about your site? How will they remember your site?

Once you answer these questions you can evaluate this further. Although if you do need this, I think $300 is not a lot compared to potential pay-off.

It is usually true that ppl associate mascot to company name rather than the other way around.. If you percieve you can build an amazing brand from your site/idea, then a mascot for such a site would do wonders..

Regarding the costs, as others have said, $300 is a very wise investment..

Wish you all the best...


Cheers..

$300 is cheap as hell for a 'mascot' actually...

Thanks for the input guys.

I understand $300 is rather low when compared to much larger operations, but I'm still a lowly poor college student ;)

I will probably end up getting the higher quality mascot. After talking it over with my Dad (My CFO you could say), he was all for me focusing on the branding, and visual aspects of marketing.

Also, I figured the best way to get this site's name out there, would be through Facebook, as it's very much targeted towards people of that age group.

There are several different marketing channels that you can try. Basically, its going to be trial and error until you find what niche works well for you. I would have to agree with your father, focus on the brand and the core values of the company, then make a name for yourself by providing the best possible service you can...everything else will fall into place.

If you plan on using your mascot for advertising, I'd say go with the $300 mascot.