The favicon is a small thing, literally. It is the tiny image seen in web browsers next to the URL field, page tabs, and bookmark/favorite lists. It’s an easy thing to overlook in the grand scheme of building and maintaining a web site. It is, however, worth putting in the little bit of effort required to include it.
Favicon Examples
Why fool with these little things?
- Additional brand impressions.
- A faster visual cue for visitors to find your page when multiple browser tabs are open. If they recognize your image they don’t have to read the tab text. Scan, bang, click. Nice.
- If a visitor bookmarks your site the icon will show up in the bookmarks list, helping to distinguish your site from others.
Since favicons are so pervasive, not having one may actually reduce your site’s perceived credibility. It’s another “expected thing” along with the standard logo, reasonably conventional navigation elements, and easy to find contact info. The absence of the favicon can make your site come across as “small time.”
Implementation is Eeeasy
Creating the graphic is as simple as creating a 16 x 16 pixel ICO file. Photoshop users can download a free plugin that adds an option to save an ICO file. Then the web master uploads and adds some simple HTML code to the page header.
If you need some inspiration check out Cool Favicons.
