The name “favicon” comes from “favourite icon”. It’s also known as a site icon. It’s a small image representative of a website and it can be found on any page contained by that website.
A site icon is attached to a site (or it should be) and it adds to the website personality. Given its generic use in all the site pages, it can be viewed as the symbol of that website in its entirety.
However, people often neglect and overlook them in the process of website design. Well, they shouldn’t…because favicons are a piece of a bigger puzzle called site identity.
Where does the favicon appear on a website?
The favorite icon is displayed in the browser tab where you open a page, next to that page title.
It’s also visible in the bookmarks bar, where the site link has been saved.
It might pass as unimportant, and not so visible, but the difference strikes when there’s no favicon in place. As web surfers usually find the favicon in place, they’ll slightly register its absence as a lack of care for the detail, in fact as something that’s missing.
Why is it so important to add a favicon to a website?
First, people are used to seeing favicons in place. No favicon results in confusion and doubt as to the website/company.
Second, a site icon that replicates onto each and every page serves much to memorizing the brand. It’s a helpful technique to get users remember the website when they come back to it, or when they check their bookmarks where they’ve saved the website. It’s an iconic extra that completes the website identity.
Third, a favicon adds to a website’s personality and strengthens the brand identity. It provides additional space where the brand can express its characteristics. When it comes to brand identity, you need to seize every opportunity to let it speak its force, and express its power of persuasion.
What happens if I have no favicon for my website?
We’ve already suggested, no favicon means the website looks incomplete. You’ve skipped some part of the brand identity; hence it’ll partially lose its expressiveness.
In a multitude of pages open in browser, yours will be a no-name. Actually, a no icon. This results in a lack of identity. You’ll list the consequences that derive from a favicon absence.
No favicon also equals no attention to important details, that can make a difference.
How to add a WordPress favicon?
To add a favicon to your WordPress website, you need to enter the Customizer of your theme. In the left-hand menu, choose General Settings -> Site Identity.
Besides settings for the logo, you should also have an option to insert a site icon (aka favicon).
You’ll get a preview of the site icon as it looks like in the browser tab and in the bookmarks bar.
Click Save and all is set up.
Site icon added
Site icon displayed in the browser tab
What’s the necessary dimension of a favicon?
There’s no general rule related to a favicon dimension. It depends on the theme you use, and its requirements for optimal display. Consider choosing an image of the dimensions indicated for that theme, and use it appropriately. It ensures the image is clear enough and effective in its role as a favorite icon.
How do I find a suitable favicon for my website?
For the favicon, you can use any image you find adequate for your website and brand identity. There are even some tools, known as favicon generators, that’ll help you in the process of selecting the best site icon.
So don’t postpone it, favicon insertion into your website will be ready in less than 5 minutes from reading this post.
