When navigating a multitude of open tabs in your browser, how do you pinpoint the one you need? Most likely, you rely on favicons—the small icons displayed beside a site’s title in your browser tabs.
Favicons, short for “favorite icons,” are not exclusive to browser tabs; they also appear next to bookmarks, in search results, within mobile browser screens, home screen shortcuts, and more.
Often underestimated during the website creation process, favicons can significantly enhance the polished appearance of your site. This article explores the importance of having a custom favicon, guides you through creating one, and explains how to integrate it into your website.
Why Should You Add a Favicon to Your Website?
Favicons may seem trivial, but they play a vital role. Here are several reasons to include them:
- Enhanced User Experience: Favicons enable users to easily navigate back to your website, particularly when they have multiple tabs open. They also allow visitors to identify your site in search results, enhancing the overall experience.
- Improved Brand Recognition: Favicons help your site stand out in a crowded tab environment or search results page. Users begin associating your favicon with your site, increasing recognition across devices. Utilizing a version of your logo for the favicon reinforces your brand identity through consistent branding.
- Increased Credibility: Generic favicons can give a website an unfinished or unprofessional appearance. In contrast, a custom favicon lends a touch of reliability and professionalism to your site.
With these compelling reasons in mind, it’s clear that favicons are essential for enhancing any website’s presence.
Do Favicons Impact Your Website’s SEO?
Not directly, but favicons can still have an influence on your SEO strategy. Google indexes your website and checks for the favicon file, aiding in identification. Visitors also recognize familiar favicons in search results, contributing to improved click-through rates.
For example, a blogger shared on a forum their experience of declining organic traffic due to Google not displaying their favicon in search results.
How to Create a Favicon for Your Website in Three Steps
Creating a favicon doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you should choose SVG or PNG format or which dimensions to use can often be confusing. Here is a straightforward guide to help you through:
Step 1: Design Your Favicon
Your favicon should ideally be a variation of your logo to maintain consistent brand identity. If you don’t have a logo yet, consider hiring a graphic designer or creating one with graphic design tools. Once you have your logo, export it as a 512×512 pixel image. Alternatively, upload it to a favicon generator tool to create your favicon. Popular favicon generators include:
- RealFaviconGenerator
- Ionos Favicon Generator
- Favicons generator
- Favicon.cc
- Favicon.io
Most of these tools will provide you with your favicon in both PNG and ICO formats. For instance, RealFaviconGenerator allows you to see how your favicon looks on different devices and offers customization options for browsers with dark themes.
Tip: Use a transparent background for your favicons to ensure they blend well with browser backgrounds. If your logo has a non-transparent background, try using an online tool to remove it quickly.
Step 2: Optimize Your Favicon Size and Format
Make sure your favicon complies with standard image guidelines. Consider the following:
- Aspect Ratio: Your favicon should be square.
- Dimensions: Ensure your favicon is at least 512×512 pixels.
- File Type: Common formats include PNG and SVG.
Deciding between PNG and SVG depends on your needs.
- SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is composed of paths and shapes, making it infinitely scalable without loss of quality, but isn’t supported by all browsers.
- PNG is widely supported and user-friendly as it is more commonly used.
To determine which formats are supported by different browsers, visit resources that provide compatibility information.
Step 3: Add Your Favicon File to Your Website
If you are using a website platform, there are two straightforward methods to add a favicon:
- Through your platform’s general settings.
- Via the platform’s customizer.
Using General Settings
This method is quick and easy. Just ensure your favicon is a square image with the required size:
- In your dashboard, go to Settings → General.
- Click on the “Choose a Site Icon” button.
- Upload your favicon or select one from your media library.
- Click the “Set as Site Icon” button. If necessary, adjust the image dimensions as prompted.
Using the Customizer
This method is also simple:
- Navigate to Appearance → Customize in your dashboard.
- Select “Site Identity“.
- Find the “Select Site Icon” button to upload your favicon.
Alternatively, any website can have its favicon added through code. Follow these steps:
- Upload your favicon file to your media library.
- Copy the URL of the uploaded file.
- Insert the following code in the section of your HTML:
<head>
…
<link rel="icon" href="https://yoursite.com/favicon.png" type="image/x-icon">
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://yoursite.com/favicon.png" type="image/x-icon">
…
</head>However, modifying code can pose risks to your site’s functionality, so easier alternatives are usually preferable.
Three Best Practices for Designing a Great Favicon
To ensure your favicon looks professional and loads correctly, consider these best practices:
1. Keep It Simple
Avoid using detailed logos that contain excessive text or elements. For instance, rather than spelling out a long company name, utilize an initial or an abbreviation. A favicon is small, so clarity is key; opt for a bold, easily recognizable symbol.
2. Check Your Colors
As browsers evolve and dark modes gain popularity, make sure your favicon stands out against various backgrounds. Test it against white, gray, and black backgrounds, and use a transparent background if possible.
3. Test Your Favicon After Uploading
Examine how your favicon appears on different browsers and devices. If it appears distorted in any setting, readjust its dimensions until it displays correctly.
Small but Mighty
The favicon is a small detail that significantly enhances your website’s brand identity and user experience. With this guide, you should now be equipped to create a favicon that adds polish to your website.
While favicons are essential, a fast loading time and clean design also contribute to an excellent user experience. If you require support with your website projects, consider partnering with a reliable development service to ensure quality performance and maintenance.
Maximize Your Website with Favicons
If you’re working on favicon-related projects and need dependable WordPress development support, WordPressOngoing can help. We focus on building long-term partnerships by delivering high-quality work, fast solutions to issues, and consistently responsive communication—so your team can move forward with confidence.