The best graphic design software for small businesses
It’s not only our pick for the best graphic design software for small businesses but our favourite tool for all DIY marketers full stop!
Yes, it’s Canva and it’s AMAZING. An Australian start-up with a really interesting back story and business growth, Canva is now our go-to graphic design tool that we use and recommend to all our clients. Sorry, Adobe. Click here to check it out (this is our affiliate link).
What is Canva?
It’s a low-cost subscription-based online design program that allows non-designers to design their own branded marketing material. It’s great for both digital (social media designs, website banners, email headers etc.) as well as printed marketing materials (business cards, flyers, posters, etc.).
Why do we think it’s the best design software and tool for small businesses, sole traders and freelancers?
If you have a small marketing budget, this is by far the subscription that will give you the best bang for your buck. No more paying for graphic designers to make minor changes to your designed and branded artwork. The best thing about it is that it gives you loads of templates so that you can pick one best for your branding and make a few tweaks rather than starting your designs from scratch. With a strong idea of what you like and a few technical skills, you can even design your own logo using the logo templates as a starting point.
Is it hard to use?
No. For those who have experience with design programs, it’s a breeze. And for those that don’t, it’s an intuitive design program that doesn’t take long to get the hang of. There are plenty of templates available which means you can use your branding and create a flyer or digital design pretty quickly without starting from scratch. With a couple of tutorials or a personal training session from us, you can be designing in no time. We help clients by creating branded artwork and designs for them and then hand on access so they can edit and change the messages on their designs, building on their brand over time in a consistent way.
How can I check if it’s for me?
Here’s our Canva affiliate link so that you can sign up with a free trial pro account and see how you like it.
Do I need Canva Pro?
With Canva Pro you’re given access to the whole library of stock images and illustrations in the Canva library. Also – with a subscription, we (and other helpful marketing people) can create designs for you for various purposes and hand you over access so you can edit and use them moving forward.
Here’s our affiliate link so you can set up a free trial account if you want to check it out as an option.
After some help with branding or logo design for your small business?
Check out our brand and logo design packages. With all our branding packages, we hand over Canva access to clients so you can make future updates yourself without coming back to us.
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Who’s the author?
Gemma Saltmarsh is a Marketing Strategist based near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. She works with clients on a budget Australia wide to help them ace their marketing efforts and propel their business forward.
What’s the business?
Salt Brands and Marketing offers marketing with spark on small business budgets to businesses Australia wide. They offer marketing coach and management services as well as websites, graphic design, content creation, copywriting and SEO and social media strategy and training. Mostly they just want small business owners to succeed.
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