The Most Ignored Branding Element in a Website
I have written on this already. Let me ask you this again today.
What is that small (and hence inconspicuous) visual element in a website that most newbies tend to ignore in their website building? Why newbies alone, even some successful websites don’t have them. Hint: It’s an important branding element.
Answer: It’s the favicon.
Shortened form of “favourite icon”, the favicon is that small icon seen in the address bar just beside the title of an active page in the different tabs of the browser (when it has a tabbed interface). These small icons are seen in the bookmark list too. A favicon helps in distinguishing a website from other active pages in the browser tabs. When a website does not have a favicon, the tab shows a blank-page image in the default.
Is the Importance of Favicon Overrated?
I have seen some “successful websites” here in WA and elsewhere without favicons in them. Meaning, when it’s about making sales and getting leads or subscribers, having a favicon or not having it is immaterial. Really? I can’t say because I don’t have any data to back my contention.
Perhaps, if it’s an amazing sales copy, a reader may not even bother to look whether there’s a favicon or not and maybe take action immediately by clicking on the CTA, resulting in a flash sale or a business lead. A regular website visitor does not even know what a favicon is. Only bloggers know it and so unless the business is targeted towards other bloggers or affiliate marketers, the website owner can afford to ignore the favicon. Or can he?
Does a Favicon Make a Website User-friendly?
It sure does. It saves time for the user. It saves time in identifying a website from other websites from the active tabs in the browser, from the bookmark list, and browsing history. For instance, if a user has a list of bookmarked websites for future reference, the favicons used will make it convenient for him to pick the one that he was looking for. Imagine tabs or a bookmark list with websites without favicons and with all similar-looking blank-page images!
A Favicon is a Branding Element
Having a favicon lends a better brand credibility to a website. Having it projects an image of seriousness and of being trust-worthy. A website without a favicon looks amateurish and careless. If you’re building a business website, please use a favicon.
So, friends, do you already have a favicon in your website? I'm sure you have :)
Recent Comments
39
Thanks for sharing.. This is the first I did when I created my website. Didn't use favicon though--
Thanks again
How do you add this to your website and where do you get one
as a new website owner, I was not familiar with this and yes
I would like to add one to my website can you explain how I
go about doing this or has it already been done when we use
WordPress??
There are lots of training posts here in WA. Pick one that suits you most. Just type "how to add a favicon" in the search bar in your dashboard area. There are also online favicon generators to create your own favicon.
In your worspress dashboard go to appearances >customize
In site identity, just add an image and save
I have seen on marketer on here use something quite outstanding and brilliant as a favicon. Nothing to do with their branding, unrelated to their site and kinda draws the attention of the eye. Not a logo either.
Quite genius, really!.
Yeah, I saw something too. Can't remember what that was but the person did something intelligent which was eye-catching.
At the moment I am using an advertisement above my header, for the BF weekend. It makes my favicon disappear. I take that for an annoying incidentally necessary loss. After the BF I will take down the ad and my favicon will return
That's okay if it's going to come back after you remove the ad. Favicon's such a small element but very important from the branding perspective, isn't it, Loes? I have seen that many websites (even mature and successful ones) here in WA without one.
Yes, I see those too. That's a pity, I hate it to see that my favicon has vanished, but it will come back
Hi there.I found this training,it may help you. How To Create A Favicon Using Canva and Add To Website
There are lots of training here in WA itself. Just type "how to add a favicon" in the search bar in your dashboard area and you see all the training there.
Very nice thank you so much, I do remember that button is the blank bar you type topic in the toolbar and all the different trainings pop up out of nowhere.
I like this but I am novice blogger who doesn't know diddly about favicon. It sounds like a cute friendly transformer. Yes and although sheepish to admit amateur, do not underestimate power of ditsy. Hahaha! This is an excellent piece of advice you wrote, and feeling too greenhorn at fixing the techy stuff had me erase a lot of hard work. Now going back through retraining and I'll look for this and other parts I've missed. How exactly do you monkeyfart a f word tab on there?
All of your magnificent article and I think it would be great to jump in your brains for a minute. Good job.
Nurse Becca
Just look for some training posts here in WA on how one could add the favicon. It's easy :)
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VEry important indeed.
It is like a profile wIth no picture
Or a gravatar With no image
And mostly ignored too :)