A weak design brief is the single biggest reason a 99designs contest produces disappointing concepts, and it’s completely avoidable. I run Ecommerce Paradise, where I teach high-ticket dropshipping, and brand identity is one of the trust signals that actually matters when you’re asking someone to spend $2,000+ on your site.
Here is exactly how to run a contest on 99designs, step by step.
| Step | What You’re Doing | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your contest type and package tier | 15 minutes |
| 2 | Write a detailed design brief | 30-45 minutes |
| 3 | Launch your contest and set preferences | 10 minutes |
| 4 | Provide feedback during the design round | Ongoing, several days |
| 5 | Narrow to finalists and request refinements | 1-2 days |
| 6 | Select a winner and receive final files | 1 day |
Not sure 99designs is the right fit yet? Read my full 99designs review first →
Step 1: Choose Your Contest Type and Package Tier
Decide whether you need a logo, a full brand identity pack, or something else like website design or packaging, since pricing varies by category. Higher tiers unlock more experienced designer levels and more concepts, which matters if you want maximum creative variety to choose from.
Step 2: Write a Detailed Design Brief
The brief is the single most important factor in getting concepts you actually like. Include your brand’s target customer, competitor examples you like and dislike, color preferences, and any words or imagery you specifically want to avoid.
Step 3: Launch Your Contest and Set Preferences
Decide whether to make your contest private (competitors can’t see your brief) and whether to mark it guaranteed, which attracts more designer participation but changes your refund rights if you’re unsatisfied with every submission.
Step 4: Provide Feedback During the Design Round
As designers submit initial concepts, rate and comment on each one specifically. Vague feedback like “I don’t love it” produces vague revisions, while specific feedback like “the icon feels too literal, try something more abstract” gets you closer to what you actually want.
Step 5: Narrow to Finalists and Request Refinements
Once you’ve identified your top few concepts, invite those designers to a final round and request specific refinements. This is where you dial in exact colors, spacing, and small details before making your final decision.
Step 6: Select a Winner and Receive Final Files
Once you pick a winner, you receive full copyright ownership along with production-ready digital and print files. Confirm you’ve received every file format you’ll need (vector files, various raster sizes) before closing out the contest.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is writing a vague or overly broad brief and expecting designers to correctly guess your preferences. The second is not budgeting for the 5% client platform fee that applies at checkout on top of your package price, which isn’t prominently advertised upfront.
Using 99designs Alongside Your Broader Brand Setup
A strong logo and brand identity is one piece of building trust for a high-ticket store. Pair it with proper business formation and a genuine supplier relationship so the polished brand matches a legitimate operation behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 99designs contest take?
Typically about a week from launch to selecting a winner, including the design round and final refinements.
How important is the design brief?
Extremely. A detailed, specific brief is the single biggest factor in getting concepts that actually match what you want.
Should I make my contest guaranteed?
Guaranteed contests attract more designer participation but change your refund rights, so weigh that tradeoff against how confident you are in your brief.
Is there a platform fee beyond the package price?
Yes, a 5% client platform fee applies at checkout and isn’t prominently advertised upfront, so factor it into your budget.
What do I receive when I select a winner?
Full copyright ownership along with production-ready digital and print files in the formats you need.
Building a store and want your entire brand and tech stack set up for you? See how my done-for-you store build service works →
Or grab my free beginner’s guide to see how branding fits into a complete high-ticket dropshipping system.
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
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