The biggest annoyance that I have when visiting a website is, yes you have guessed it since this is the post topic – HA, when a website does not have a favicon. The content is great, the website has all the features is needs to be a success, website is perfect, and everything is professional looking then I see that the website has no favicon.
So let’s back the train up a bit, what is a favicon? A favicon is the small icon that your user sees on their browser tab when he visits your website.
Here is an example of what the favicon on my site looks like —
Why even bother creating one or having your designer add one to your site? A favicon doesn’t affect your websites functionality in any way shape or form. However, it gives your website a more polished and professional look. When you don’t have a favicon your website looks unprofessional and that could affect getting new sponsors, readers, or buyers. When you don’t have a favicon, the default one is used (could be the theme default or the service you are using) and your website looks broken or not finished.
Having a favicon is apart your branding experience, it helps your brand stand out.
How do you create one? How do you update your favicon or site identity graphic?
WordPress has made it so easy now and it only takes a few clicks to install the graphic and that is it. Before you needed to create the graphics, uploaded it to program to create the .ico file and then had to upload it into your themes file via your cpanel or FTP; or you had to use a plugin.
However, now you just create the graphic then upload it in your dashboard and it will be there until you change it, and yes even if you change themes it will still show up.
How to create and install your favicon
Use tools like Canva to create an image with a design of your choice, this has to be no smaller than 512×512; it can be bigger but it has to be a square image.
Once you have your image created, upload it into your WordPress site. This will be under “Appearance” -> “Customize” click “Site Identity” and follow the upload instructions. (you can also click “Customize” when you view your website, it’s located in the top bar)
Click save and that’s it!
Did you think is would be more complicated? It isn’t that complicated, really.
I hope this has helped!