The Importance of Having a Favicon for Your Website

What is a Favicon?

Favicon stands for “Favorites Icon”.  It is a very small image, only 16px by 16px.  This little images shows up in three places: next to the website name in the URL bar, in the bookmarks or favorites section (thus the name), and on the left of each tab when you have multiple tabs open.  A favicon is basically a graphical representation of your business and website.

Why is the Favicon Important?

This little image plays a big role in branding.  When a visitor comes to your website they will see your favicon.  This is important because most people look at graphics before noticing text.  If you have a favicon, and it is memorable, you are building brand recognition with your site visitors immediately.

Your favicon will also display next to your website link in Bookmarks, if there is no favicon for your site then a blank white page image shows.  When scanning for the site I want from my Bookmarks, I often first search for their favicon as it stands out more in my mind than the text does.

As I mentioned before, if no favicon is present than a blank white page icon shows instead.  Having a custom favicon for your site makes it look complete and professional.  You don’t even need anything fancy.   A lot of the time your logo will work fine as the favicon; as long as it looks okay reduced in size that much.   Talk with your web designer for suggestions on a custom graphic for your website.

Now that you’ve read about favicons you will probably start noticing them, and the lack of them, all over the web!