Top Branding Agencies in the United States
A great brand isn't a logo — it's the cumulative impression your company makes across every customer touchpoint, and the strategic logic that holds it together. U.S. branding agencies build that logic from the inside out: positioning, naming, visual identity, voice and messaging, brand guidelines, and the rollout systems that make a brand actually work in the market.
Whether you're launching something new, repositioning an existing business, or recovering from years of inconsistent brand expression, the right U.S. branding partner can compress what would otherwise be a year of internal arguing into a focused 10-to-16-week engagement. Clutch helps you compare top American branding agencies through verified client reviews, portfolios, and pricing data. Filter by budget, industry, and service scope, and explore related directories:
• Branding Agencies in Los Angeles
• Branding Agencies in Chicago
-
Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$10,000+$300+ / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 33 projectsTaillight is a branding agency specializing in brand identity development, brand strategy, and visual identity design. They have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with approximately 100% of reviewers highlighting their expertise in transforming brand positioning and delivering strategic solutions. Clients consistently commend Taillight for their collaborative approach, impressive project management, and ability to create unique, scalable brand identities that resonate with audiences.
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 71 projectsThe Bureau Of Small Projects is a branding and marketing agency specializing in services such as brand development, logo design, and corporate identity. Across multiple reviews, 100% of clients commend their exceptional project management and responsiveness, emphasizing their ability to meet deadlines and cater to specific client needs. The agency's commitment to delivering high-quality visual identity design and brand strategy is consistently noted, with frequent praise for their creativity and dedication to customer satisfaction.
$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 14 projectsSavage Creative is a branding agency specializing in brand strategy, visual identity design, and corporate branding. The agency consistently delivers high-quality work, with 100% positive feedback highlighting their creativity, excellent project management, and ability to meet deadlines. Approximately 80% of reviewers emphasize their proficiency in brand identity development and brand positioning.
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 49 projectsStarfish is a versatile branding and marketing agency specializing in brand strategy, identity development, and visual identity design. Across their reviews, 100% of clients praised their strategic expertise and capacity to deliver timely, high-quality branding solutions. Clients consistently highlighted their exceptional project management and collaborative nature, with 70% of reviews noting their ability to adapt and respond to client needs effectively.
-
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Pittsfield, MA
Services provided
AH&M Marketing Communications is a public relations agency. They provide Public Relations and Branding and were founded in 1988. The agency is in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Providence, RI
Services provided
JacksonCreative Group is a small Providence, Rhode Island-based Interior Design company. The team specializes in Interior Design and Branding.
Read more -
Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 32 projectsTakt is a branding and marketing agency that excels in brand strategy, corporate identity, and visual identity design. Across their reviews, 100% of clients praised Takt's professionalism and attention to detail in handling complex projects. Approximately 75% highlighted their ability to deliver on tight timelines, while 50% commended their pricing and value. Takt consistently received positive feedback for their effective project management and creative solutions.
$25,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 47 projectsQream is a branding and marketing agency specializing in brand identity development, visual identity design, and brand positioning. Across the reviews, 100% of clients praised Qream's creativity, responsiveness, and project management, noting their ability to deliver high-quality, cohesive brand strategies efficiently. Their work consistently meets and exceeds client expectations, with many highlighting their unique and engaging brand solutions.
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 29 projectsXhilarate is a branding and marketing company specializing in brand identity development, corporate branding, and visual identity design. With an impressive 100% positive feedback from reviewers, Xhilarate is praised for its innovative brand strategy and exceptional project management. Clients often highlight their creative approach and ability to align with client needs, making them a trusted partner in brand development and strategy.
-
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Manchester, NH
Services provided
Clearly Creative LLC is a Marketing Strategy company. Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, the company was founded in 2002. Their services include Marketing Strategy and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Exeter, NH
Services provided
Creative Co-op LLC, a graphic design company, was established in 2001. The small team focuses on Graphic Design and Advertising.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Portsmouth, NH
Services provided
Go Fish Design Inc is a graphic design company. They are in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and have small team. They focus on Graphic Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Stowe, VT
Services provided
Lance Violette Design is a graphic design agency. They are based in Stowe, Vermont and have small team. Their team provides Graphic Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Elgin, IL
Services provided
DESIGNERS REVOLUTION is a small Packaging Design company headquartered in Elgin, Illinois. The team offers Packaging Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Champaign, IL
Services provided
Nivens Design is a graphic design agency. The company is in Champaign, Illinois. Their team provides Graphic Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Sandy Springs, GA
Services provided
Yellobee studio, LLC is a branding firm. Their small team of employees is based in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Their team focuses on Branding and Event Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Atlanta, GA
Services provided
Hilltop Design Group is a small Atlanta, Georgia-based branding company. The team specializes in Branding and Advertising.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Little Rock, AR
Services provided
Capitol Advertising is an Advertising company. Their small team is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their team offers Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Delray Beach, FL
Services provided
BCoSF, Inc. Is a Business Consulting company. Headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, their small team focuses on Business Consulting and Branding. The firm was established in 2013.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Washington, DC
Services provided
Small graphic design agency MERRY ALDERMAN DESIGN, is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. The team offers Graphic Design and Logo.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Jefferson City, MO
Services provided
Firehouse Design Studio, Inc is a graphic design company. Launched in 1995, the team provides Graphic Design and Branding. The company is headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Little Rock, AR
Services provided
Small Advertising company Custom Advertising Products, is in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Anchorage, AK
Services provided
Mixed Media Graphics is a small Anchorage, Alaska-based graphic design agency. The team specializes in Graphic Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Bay St. Louis, MS
Services provided
Established in 2016, Moxii Web Design is an e-commerce development company. The team offers E-Commerce Development and Web Design and is in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Brandon, MS
Services provided
Established in 2005, Addison Hall Design is a small web design company. Their services include Web Design and Web Development.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Southwest Ranches, FL
Services provided
Cimetta Design,Inc. Is a branding agency. They specialize in Branding and Web Design and are in Southwest Ranches, Florida.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Fairfield, NJ
Services provided
Advertising company JIGsaw Creative Group, LLC is headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Danbury, CT
Services provided
Established in 2016, ChitChat Marketing LLC is a small SEO agency. Their team offers Search Engine Optimization and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Madison, CT
Services provided
ByDesign Productions is a small Madison, Connecticut-based branding firm. Their services include Branding and Video Production.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Ellicott City, MD
Services provided
Insight180 is a small graphic design company in Ellicott City, Maryland. The team offers Graphic Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Rye, NH
Services provided
603 Creative Studio is a branding company established in 2010. Their services include Branding and Graphic Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Exeter, NH
Services provided
Believe Ink LLC is a branding company founded in 2013. The firm offers Branding and Print Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Dover, NH
Services provided
Headquartered in Dover, New Hampshire, True Marketing Communications is a branding company. Their services include Branding and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Gilford, NH
Services provided
JMG Marketing is an Event Marketing company. They are in Gilford, New Hampshire and have small team. They offer Event Marketing and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Charlotte, NC
Services provided
Contract Manufacturing company Stephen Gould Corporation was launched in 1939. The team specializes in Contract Manufacturing and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Beaverton, OR
Services provided
Green Ink is an Advertising company. Their small team is in Beaverton, Oregon. Their services include Advertising and Graphic Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Nashua, NH
Services provided
Mirelle Marketing, LLC is a branding agency. Their team is in Nashua, New Hampshire and specializes in Branding and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Rapid City, SD
Services provided
The HomeSlice Group is a Marketing Strategy company. Their small team is located in Rapid City, South Dakota. Their team specializes in Marketing Strategy and Advertising.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Mitchell, SD
Services provided
GF Advertising Services, a Logo company, is in Mitchell, South Dakota. They focus on Logo and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Deadwood, SD
Services provided
Mile Up Marketing Solutions, a small branding company, is in Deadwood, South Dakota. The team specializes in Branding and Digital Strategy.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Maryville, TN
Services provided
Visual Voice is a branding company. The small Maryville, Tennessee-based team provides Branding and Search Engine Optimization. The company was established in 1995.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Starkville, MS
Services provided
Rocketing Media is a small Advertising company. Founded in 2018, the team provides Advertising and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Salt Lake City, UT
Services provided
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, Derman Media is a small branding agency. The team provides Branding and Direct Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Salt Lake City, UT
Services provided
Small SEO agency Webenzi.com, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The team provides Search Engine Optimization and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Weston, MA
Services provided
Established in 1997, GoBig Branding Inc. Is a small Weston, Massachusetts-based Packaging Design company. Their team provides Packaging Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Normal, IL
Services provided
Mark Huffman Creative is a graphic design company headquartered in Normal, Illinois. They focus on Graphic Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Lexington, KY
Services provided
Fly Creative Solutions, LLC is a branding company. They provide Branding and Graphic Design and were launched in 2004.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Richmond, VA
Services provided
In Richmond, Virginia, NIMBL Marketing is a small branding agency. The team specializes in Branding and Event Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Mobile, AL
Services provided
Pixallure Design, LLC is a social media marketing firm. Their team is based in Mobile, Alabama. The company specializes in Social Media Marketing and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Mobile, AL
Services provided
PM Group, Inc. Is a Mobile, Alabama-based Advertising company. Launched in 2004, the team focuses on Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Tacoma, WA
Services provided
Wilford Design is a web design company. Their small team is located in Tacoma, Washington. Their services include Web Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Denver, CO
Services provided
Located in Denver, Colorado, Studio 420 is a small Packaging Design company. The team specializes in Packaging Design and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Denver, CO
Services provided
TeamMJMarketing is a small branding agency in Denver, Colorado. Their services include Branding and Graphic Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Denver, CO
Services provided
Decibel Green is a website development firm. They were established in 2014, and their services include Web Development and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Carpinteria, CA
Services provided
Launched in 2013, Creative Butter is a branding company. The small team focuses on Branding and Graphic Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Port St. Lucie, FL
Services provided
ImagineXmedia is an Email Marketing company. They were established in 2008, and their services include Email Marketing and Web Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Hartland, VT
Services provided
Lulu Web Design is a branding agency. They offer Branding and Marketing Strategy and were launched in 2013. The agency is headquartered in Hartland, Vermont.
Read more
Share your project goals, and we’ll connect you with verified partners who fit your budget and timeline.
Get My Matches
Tell us what you need — we’ll match you with top agencies in minutes.
Get My MatchesWhy Trust Clutch
At Clutch, we believe trust is the foundation of every business relationship. Our mission is to help buyers make confident, data-backed decisions informed by real client experiences.
Every review on Clutch undergoes a rigorous, human-led verification process to make sure it’s valid. Our team of specialists confirms the identity of each reviewer, ensures the project is legitimate, and only publishes reviews that meet our strict criteria.
Verification doesn’t stop at the point of publication. Our Trust & Safety team routinely audits older reviews against our guidelines. When reviews fall short of our standards, we remove them.
We evaluate service providers using a structured methodology that combines:
- In-depth client interviews and ratings
- Comprehensive project details
- Market presence
- Portfolio examples and industry recognition
This data powers tools like the Leaders Matrix, which helps you compare agencies directly. Our research team curates rankings by weighing verified reviews most heavily, so the most trusted and experienced providers rise to the top.
Using this unique combination of verified client feedback and provider-supplied insights, Clutch distills the most important details into clear, digestible summaries so you have everything you need to make confident, informed decisions quickly.
We take fraud seriously. Providers who violate our guidelines may face lower rankings, restricted visibility, or removal from the platform altogether.
Clutch’s commitment to transparency is ongoing. We’re constantly refining our systems to protect the integrity of reviews and support you in finding the right agency.
List of the Top 15 United States Branding Companies
-
$10,000+$300+ / hr10 - 49Oakland, CA
Ability to deliver
39.8/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
85% Branding15% Other -
$75,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
39.8/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$75,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Atlanta, GA
Ability to deliver
39.8/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$50,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
39.3/40.019.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Branding40% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Annapolis, MD
Ability to deliver
39.2/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Branding30% Other -
$25,000+$300+ / hr2 - 9New York, NY
Ability to deliver
38.9/40.019.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Branding10% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49New Gloucester, ME
Ability to deliver
38.9/40.019.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Branding40% Other -
$10,000+$300+ / hr10 - 49Littleton, CO
Ability to deliver
38.9/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
85% Branding15% Other -
$75,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
38.8/40.019/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249New York, NY
Ability to deliver
38.2/40.018.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Branding40% Other -
$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
37.9/40.018.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
37.7/40.018.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Branding20% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Ability to deliver
38.5/40.019/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
55% Branding45% Other -
$25,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9New York City, NY
Ability to deliver
37.5/40.018.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Oakland, CA
Ability to deliver
37.5/40.018.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Branding30% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Scottsdale, AZ
Ability to deliver
37.5/40.018.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Branding30% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Portland, OR
Ability to deliver
37.5/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
55% Branding45% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Denver, CO
Ability to deliver
37.2/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Branding30% Other -
$25,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Pacifica, CA
Ability to deliver
36.7/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Brevard, NC
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$75,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49San Diego, CA
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Branding30% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Berkeley, CA
Ability to deliver
36.2/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Sausalito, CA
Ability to deliver
36.2/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Branding -
$75,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Milwaukee, WI
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Branding40% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Pasadena, CA
Ability to deliver
36/40.017/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Branding20% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Ability to deliver
35.9/40.017/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
75% Branding25% Other -
$25,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Seattle, WA
Ability to deliver
35.7/40.019.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience6.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
75% Branding25% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
35.7/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Branding40% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
35.6/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Branding40% Other -
$75,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Houston, TX
Ability to deliver
35.6/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Branding40% Other
U.S. Branding FAQs
Timelines vary as each brand has its unique needs and goals. Based on data we’ve gathered, the ballpark goes:
- Logo refresh or visual identity tune-up: 4–8 weeks
- New brand identity for an existing company: 10–16 weeks
- Full strategy-through-identity for a new launch: 14–24 weeks
- Enterprise rebrand with rollout: 6–18 months
The biggest schedule risk is internal — branding requires decisions from senior stakeholders, and indecision at the top kills timelines. Before you hire, identify your decision-maker(s) and confirm they have the bandwidth to engage in working sessions.
A full-scope branding engagement typically covers some combination of:
- Brand strategy — positioning, audience definition, brand architecture, competitive differentiation
- Verbal identity — naming, taglines, voice and tone, key messaging, brand narrative
- Visual identity — logo, color palette, typography, photography direction, illustration style, brand guidelines
- Brand expression — how the brand shows up across web, environment, social, and advertising
- Implementation and governance — rollout planning, asset libraries, and ongoing brand stewardship
Some firms specialize in strategy only; others go strategy-through-design; a smaller set handles full implementation across digital and physical touchpoints. Match the firm's scope to what you actually need — paying a strategy-heavy firm to do production design (or vice versa) wastes money.
Branding pricing has a wide variance because "branding" means very different things at different scopes. Based on Clutch pricing data, clients can expect:
- Logo and identity package only: typically $5,000 – $25,000
- Full visual identity: $15,000 – $75,000
- Strategy-led brand engagement: $50,000 – $250,000
- Comprehensive brand transformation: $250,000 – $1M+
Project length usually runs 8 – 20 weeks for strategy-and-identity work. Smaller boutique firms tend to price lower but hold a tighter scope; larger agencies cost more but bring depth across discipline.
Look at three things — portfolio relevance, the case for why the work succeeded, and chemistry with the team you'd actually work with:
- Portfolio relevance means the firm has shipped work for companies at your stage and in adjacent industries — not just "brands you've heard of." -The case for why the work succeeded means the firm can articulate the strategic logic behind its past work, not just show pretty deliverables.
- Chemistry matters because branding work is iterative and opinionated; you'll be in working sessions for weeks, and friction with the lead strategist or creative director compounds.
Also ask: who's the day-to-day team, what's their process for handling stakeholder disagreement, and what does brand governance look like after delivery?
- No strategy phase. A firm that wants to start with logo concepts before understanding your business is selling design as decoration.
- Portfolio that all looks the same. Either the firm has a strong stylistic preference (which may or may not fit you), or they don't actually customize. Either way, ask.
- Vague or non-existent guidelines deliverable. Without proper brand guidelines, the brand decays the moment the engagement ends.
- No examples of brands they've shipped that are still in the market. A portfolio of unaired pitches is a warning sign.
- Reluctance to talk about projects that didn't work. Senior brand strategists have lost pitches and watched clients reverse course. A firm that pretends otherwise is editing too hard.
Don’t settle for less when it comes to nurturing your brand. If you spot any of these red flags, just take that as a sign and continue your search.