There is no substitute though for building a relationship with a designer face to face. In my job I have numerous clients who arrive in to us to 'fix up' jobs that they get off these sites. The main problems we see are
1. The clients picks a logo on personal preference and often don't understand when the fonts or symbols look outdated or even tacky in most instances. If you work with a single designer they can take your feedback, work with you, tweak and refine a logo until you're happy, and create a fresh, eye catching design that personalised for you.
2. Half the 'good' logos on that site are ripped off from existing logos. We have had two instances where clients have run into copyright issues with logos bought from sites. A good designer with make sure your logo is unique.
3. The client often picks logos that are unsuitable for their target market. They don't realise the implications of how certain fonts appear and how their company will be perceived in the target market
4. If you do a logo competition you will generally attract a lower calibre of designer and they will be mostly guessing what you require. No decent designer is going to put material on those sites for 150 euro.
5. Just cause someone is good in one area won't mean they are capable of producing everything you need
. A good logo designer could be rubbish at brochures.
6. ease for yourself- design of print materials often involves last minute deadline and paniced rushed jobs, its part of the job. if a designer is with in driving distance of you, you can deliver any photos are anything you need by hand and sit down and go through it with them faster than emailing across timezones to people who mightnt reply in time.
Thats my problem with those sites. Your company's logo and branding is SO important. If your logo and printed material or website looks cheap, well then your company will look bad.
Designers are professionals with years of experience in how to make your company look the best in can. A good designer will sit down with you and give you a range on options based on what you think you need.
As someone on another website stated '
I would assume that you are a very professional businessman, therefore, I would like to ask the following:
1. How do/did you choose your accountant?
2. How do/did you choose your lawyer?
Will you/did you also get them through a competition, did you find them on a website, or will you get them "offshore". I am sure you have a very good accountant and lawyer/solicitor they may have been recommended. What makes them good? The know the ins and outs system. You trust them. You take time to build your relationship with them. They become an integral part of your business, in the same way as other professionals you work with.
I can't put it any better than that! Sorry for the long post