Branding is an essential part of blogging and includes developing a recognizable product, service or blog.
Most good companies not only have a product that you can recognize as a customer but also a logo or icon. For instance, if I told you to tell me what the logo for Google was you could probably draw it. Same goes with Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook, and Digg logos. Their logos are easy to remember and are as important to their brand as the product itself.
An important and easy way to build a stronger brand around your blog is by creating a favicon.
Branding: Favicon to the Rescue
To learn about Branding be sure to start with SEOBook’s article two best articles on the subject [#1 and #2] and some of their suggested reading.
On Blogussion we have talked a lot about marketing but building a brand is a bit more than that. So far you can learn about ways to build your brand through Wordpress back-end branding, brand building over instant messaging or through guest posting. This post is one more step to building a successful and long-term brand: the Favicon.
What is a Favicon?
So far the only time we have mentioned favicons at Blogussion is to discuss Google’s favicon. What a favicon is will be easiest to understand if you see it. For example here is Blogussion’s favicon:
It can be seen at the top of your browser’s screen or tab next to the title of your current open screen. Right now you should see our red and white favicon at the top of your screen.
To be clear then, a favicon is a small image or icon [16 pixels by 16 pixels] that automatically loads with each page or post on your blog or website. If you do not have a custom favicon for your site your web browser (Firefox [recommended], Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer [not recommended]) will create one.
In summary I am writing an entire post about a 16px by 16px image. Read why they matter though…
Why Do Favicons Matter?
Brands are built around awesome images no matter the size. Every time someone lands on a page or post of your blog they will see the favicon you have installed. Your brand is one more step clearer to them and they not only get the benefit of seeing it and connecting the image with your other products and pages but also never get confused about where they are.
Your job as a blogger is to make the reader of the best experience possible. I know for myself that I never have just one tab opened in my web browser but sometimes up to a dozen. The sites with favicons always are faster to locate, better bookmarked, and clicked on more. For example, in my bookmarks only the blogs with favicons are easily recognizable in my toolbars and drop down menus.
You see I am a visual person and I associate images instantly with everything I read or see. A favicon for me goes a long way and helping me remember your site. Many other people are just like me and having images associated with your blog really helps.
What Do Good Favicons Look Like?
I found a nice collage of favicons from many of the bigger blogs and websites. Some of these are not that special and others are very nice looking. To help you understand what is nice be sure to check out Remarkable Favicons [broken down into symbols and typography] and also a Favicon Review [includes commentary]. Which ones below do you like?
How Do I Make Favicons?
This part is less difficult than you may have ever realized. There are dozens of favicon generators where you can either draw the favicon yourself using their pixel art applications or turn an image into a 16px icon file. Here’s some quick resources to get started.
How to Create a Favicon
- Create a favicon (Use one of the generators listed below)
- Upload favicon.ico to root directory
- Copy and Paste the code to header (head) section:<link rel=”shortcut icon” href=”favicon.ico” type=”image/x-icon” />
- Reload your sites and finish! (note: it may take a few hours for the favicon to appear)
Favicon.cc [Recommended]
Favicon Tool
WebScriptLab – Favicon Generator
Once you have installed your favicon on your blog you are finished. Your brand is better and your blog is more recognizable. By the way, your favicon will look especially nice with Blogussion’s new Thesis Skin as its home. Check it out!
What do you think about favicons? Is there anything you would add? How about any other branding tools to improve your blogging?
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Awesome post Seth. Thanks for the breakdown of favicons. They really are great at subtle branding.
Brendan Wenzel´s last blog ..Are you keeping track of your money?
Subtle branding is the best kind
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Indeed a very good post! Especially liked the collage of good favicons for inspiration. What has struck me personally, is that I tend to like those with just a well-designed single letter best, or a very clear and simple symbol. Less is definitely more here.
The typographical favicon is a great one! They are simple and very memorable. Is there one in particular that you like from the collage?
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
I just added a favicon to Cogroll the other day and it feels a lot more professional now, at least to me. Having the image in the browser bar certainly fortifies the branding.
James | Cogroll.com´s last blog ..Some Nexus One Domain Names
Professionalism is all about the details. Favicon’s are one of those.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
I’m with you, Seth. I always have multiple tabs open and I find the one I want based on the Favicon, not the title. It’s a simple way to contribute to your blog’s brand and I know a lot of bloggers have never heard of a favicon. Way to raise awareness!
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Giveaway: Kidpreneurs Book and a Review
Thanks! Raising awareness about something simple as favicons is important. A lot of times the best tips are the simple ones everyone overlooks.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Favicons make you stand out in search results too.
Something so smll yet so powerful.
It’s funny when I see a site with no favicon, I think they are lacking.. I’m so used to seeign top ites with a fav when I don’t see one,, it turns me off
John Paul Aguiar´s last blog ..How I Built My Twitter Marketing Monster From 1 to 36,000
I feel the same way about favicon-less blogs… they seem to be lacking the details that make the difference. But at least its an easy fix.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Yeah, this was one of the very first things I did for my blog. It just came naturally; they are the types of things I notice.
Also, good post, not enough blogs on blogging cover basic topics like this.
Eric C´s last blog ..Anthony Swofford’s Jarhead: A Review
“not enough blogs on blogging cover basic topics like this.” – Eric that is what it is all about.. covering the unique things that everyone needs but no one talks about.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
I was just about to make one for my site (with my own software) so I am headed over to favicon.cc to work on one this evening.
Keith´s last blog ..4 Tips to Promote Your Article
Great to know I had a timely post. Let me know how it works.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Great tips and how-to, Seth. I’ve been wondering how to include the code for the favicon into new my theme since my tnew heme didn’t come with the favicon coding by default, and you just provided the how-to for including the favicon into your coding. Thanks, Seth, it’s just great
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Great article
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Glad to help! You can use it for any time you need to add a favicon to a site.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Good info on favicons. I realized my blog was showing it’s favicon as twitter. So I opened GIMP and got to work correcting it.
iMark´s last blog ..I am Tiger Woods
iMark nice to know that it helped you fix something on your blog and create something useful.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
favicon.cc currently down.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..I’m Unsubscribing From Your Blog…..Again
Sorry.. its working now though!
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Yep and I got mine!
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..I’m Unsubscribing From Your Blog…..Again
Finding your brand and favicon is huge – it’s what makes your website stand out from the crowd and how people can remember you!
Inside the Webb´s last blog ..New Digg-Themed Social News and Media Website Thuhm
Honestly, most of the generator suck.
A partner of mine and I wrote a very nice little ebook on this topic. He’s an absolute wizard at graphics, and I learned a lot about making very small images. Turns out it’s really hard.
The ebook is really just the first chapter of an ebook on WordPress graphics which we never finished. It’s available for free download, no strings attached, no affiliation, etc.
Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend´s last blog ..Website In A Weekend: Friday Evening – Off to the Races
Can you provide a link for it?
That’s what I was thinking!
Me too please.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..I’m Unsubscribing From Your Blog…..Again
Seth, what an awesome article. For a while, I’ve been thinking hard about implementing a favicon for my blog. However, I personally believe that it is better not to promote an unfinalized logo as changing icons in the future can have huge detrimental effects. Hence, I’m still a little undecided on which way to go: Go with a simple favicon or go and hire a logo designer and get a logo up first?
Static | ahnternet´s last blog ..5 Tips to Quickly Writing A Quality Post Part I
I use my photo as my favicon. How do you think about it?
Dana´s last blog ..Atahualpa 3.4.4 Configuration Part 4
Too unclear for me.
So, i thing i need to create some logo for my favicon then.
Dana´s last blog ..Atahualpa 3.4.4 Configuration Part 4
I am having an unique favicon.
Dinesh´s last blog ..Now Play Piano On Youtube
Looks great imo. Distinctive. Like your whole blog design btw. using Woo Themes.
I am considering making one with my 3 initials. Just need to make sure 3 letters looks distinctive enough. For me, that is the biggest problem with favicons, – making them stand out, possible to see.
That was a good post, pretty much colorful and images in between this time..
Enjoyed reading !
Great post! I use MBP Favicon wordpress plugin in my blog. I love my own Favicon very much! Thanks for sharing!
Kok Siong Chen´s last blog ..Prader-Willi Syndrome – Genetic Disorder That Cause Obesity
Although I knew about the favicons, I was not aware what impact they make; so I never really bothered too much about it.
A picture is worth a thousand words they say and these tiny images sure make a difference! So I better start creating a favicon.
Thanks!
Do you want to keep your blog alive and thriving?
I wonder if avatars play a key role too.
http://www.blogussion.com/marketing/branding-battle-favicon/
Yes, in my case, it does. I often link my comments to different sites of mine, but by using always the same avatar / gravatar I kind of “brand” myself and show my face
SY
hospitalera @gummi crib rail´s last blog ..Comment by
Personal branding through avatars are a great way for people to get to know you and your site. The more they see an avatar they recognize the more authority they give to you.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Excellent post! I think favicons are excellent for standing out from the rest.If you have a lot of links on your bookmark list a bright favicon will stand out nicely.
Tom – marketing tips´s last blog ..How To Use Twitter As An Education Tool
Bright and unique work best!
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
I think favicons are a great way to help your website stand out in an often crowded browser and to extend the areas that you add your personal touch of branding.
We recently changed our favicon to match our new theme and I really like how it looks. I used our site logo and adapted it in Photoshop before uploading it to one of the free favicon creators that are availiable on the net.
Nice article Seth.
Karl Foxley´s last blog ..Have You Seen The Brand New OnTheGo Theme?
Great job! Nice work at putting everything into action. Way to get the job done.
Seth´s last blog ..How I Leaped from Pagerank 0 to 4 in 21 Days Without any Connections
Looking forward to make Favicon for my blog and favicon.cc is my favorite..
Rajesh Kanuri @ TechCats´s last blog ..How To Check The Subscription box Checked Permanently in Subscribe To Comments Plugin
Favicon.cc is my favorite too. Its easy to customize and very smooth.
Seth´s last blog ..How I Leaped from Pagerank 0 to 4 in 21 Days Without any Connections
Great tips! A favicon is actually one of the first things that I do / create / implement when setting up a new (niche) site. It takes only a few minutes, but it really does make a difference. One more point to consider, replacing a generic favicon with a unique one, like for example the joomla one, removes a clue to hackers which platform your site runs on. It is just a little step to increase your sites security, but as they say “every little helps”, SY
PS Your “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail” checkbox is easily overlooked, perhaps it would be an idea to move it to the left of the text?
hospitalera @gummi crib rail´s last blog ..Comment by
Thanks for the excellent comment and also the suggestion. We will look into the notify me of follow-up comments move as you suggested.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Having a favicon makes the difference between an amateur and a professional blog. They are really easy to put in, and they are great way to expand your blog. Don’t use just the more popular sites, try expanding to all different types so you get a wide range of people.
I have been wondering how to do this for a long time but have never bothered to research how to do it or for that matter why to do it. Here, you have answered both of these questions and, hopefully, I will make the time to do it this week!
Tim let me know how it goes and if you need any help! I would love to evaluate some of the favicons and give any help I can.
Seth´s last blog ..How I Leaped from Pagerank 0 to 4 in 21 Days Without any Connections
I really need to get around to making a favicon for my blog! Thanks for the reminder.
Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..Squeeze Page Tips For Better Conversion
It does not take long, just sit down and in 20 minutes you can have something up!
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Yes favicons are an important part of branding but there is so much more people should worry about than the bookmarking icon itself. Most people today use RSS readers or email subscription anyway and never even notice your favicon. Good post though!
Gordon´s last blog ..Branding Websites And Blogs
Its not something to spend hours on.. you are right. But its also not something to forget either. People need a complete branding package and a favicon makes a difference.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
I was underestimating the importance of the favicon for particular groups of visitors. After seeing all the ones posted above though, I realized I recognized several. That convinces me its actually pretty good branding.
Thanks for the sites to create them as well.
Chad @ Tech201´s last blog ..3 New Years Resolutions You And Your Computer Will Be Thankful For
It worked for you right! So it is a great idea. Be sure to use these resources and put together a favicon today!
Few days I used favicon for my blog. Now I am getting good response. By using favicon, my site was able to stand out from crowd.
Standing out from the crowd is what it is all about. There are millions of other blogs out there, but being different is what matters.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
That’s interesting. How do we know that the favicon is not used by someone else? Is there legal complication? I doubt we can use the one designated for Google
scheng1´s last blog ..Renewable Alternative Energy Sources: Solar energy
The favicon would have few if any legal complications unless it was the exact favicon of someone else. I would suggest trying to be original as much as possible.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
After reading this article, I made a new favicon for my blog. Thanks.
Agent Deepak´s last blog ..Blog with a Sex Appeal
Great. It looks very nice.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Favicons are undoubtedly a must these days. Part of the branding includes placing your logo everywhere you have control (and is appropriate).
That reminds me, after I redesigned my site several weeks ago, I need a new logo and favicon!
Gabe | freebloghelp.com´s last blog ..Be a rockstar blogger, almost literally
Gabe you better get on that~! I’m sure you’ll get a great one.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
That is an amazing share. It’s so, so commonly overlooked, the favicon. I’ve been blogging and building sites for years and still only just realised that even existed a couple of months back!1
The next question… how do you pronounce it? Is it ‘fave-icon’ or favv-icon’?
Josue Habana´s last blog ..The Super-Duper Habana Pixel Muscle Plan!!
I pronounce it “fav-icon” but I would imagine there are lots of differences. I have even seen it Flavicon.
Seth´s last blog ..Branding Battle: Favicon to the Rescue
Is it a big clock? lol
(If you didn’t get that, keep it to yourself as it means I’m old.)
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..I’m Unsubscribing From Your Blog…..Again
Seems you hit a highly interesting subject with this! Congratulations! SY
hospitalera @gummi crib rail´s last blog ..Comment by
pretty good post
thanks mate
S Ahsan´s last blog ..Upgrade to WordPress 2.9.1 to Fix Couple of Bugs
Your welcome. Good to see you here!
Seth´s last blog ..How I Leaped from Pagerank 0 to 4 in 21 Days Without any Connections
Thanks for sharing how to create favicon. It’s really an advantage having a favicon, it builds your brand well and people may easily remember you or your site through a favicon
Pinoyblogtips´s last blog ..Top 5 Reasons Why People Started to Blog
Cool! favicons! Thanks for this recommended favicon makers.
Anup´s last blog ..Some Thoughts and Voice Of Blogger