r3fresh

Create a Memorable and Definitive Favicon

Scrolling through my bookmarks and I realized my past blog favicon was a little dated. It had followed the style of my past blog theme, but not my current. A favicon is a small icon that appears next to your URL in a web browser. Readers can favorite your site and with many browsers it will also save the favicon. Having a favicon can bring old users back who may have forgotten about your blog or site. Making a favicon is easy; making one that people will remember is slightly more difficult.

1. Pick colors

Pretty self explanatory. Pick dominant colors on your blog, pick at least three colors you want to use. Having more than three will make your tiny favicon busy.

2. Note styles

This might seem excessive, but a favicon could make or break a returning visitor. On r3fresh, I took into consideration my gradient, corners, font, and the radiating waves.

3. Put it all together

Take everything you have noted and put it together. Keep it super simple, no one is going to see anything too detailed. Animated favicons can also be used, but they aren’t always saved when favorited.

4. Upload it to your site

Using WordPress I have found a plug-in that makes it super easy to change favicons. It’s called Favicon Manager.