What in the world is a favicon?

Oct 5, 2016 by

Cindy Russell

What is a favicon? A favicon is a little icon that you might see in any of the following places:

• In a browser's address bar
• Next to the site name in a list of bookmarks
• In a browser tab (as in the image below)

Essentially, a favicon is just a very small image. Using a favicon is a simple, yet impactful way to establish your brand online. You can create your own favicon in a few easy steps.

But first, the guidelines.

Seven tips for making an awesome favicon

1. The favicon should be 32x32 pixels at most.
2. The image should be square.
3. Make it relevant, specific to your branding, and relative to your website's overall look.
4. Use the same color scheme as the main color of your website.
5. Never use a random image or pixel art for a favicon.
6. Keep the design as simple as possible (avoid drop shadows, texture and words).
7. Clean lines and shapes are the best way to create a crisp, effective favicon.

Converting your favicon for maximum compatibility

Once you've created your favicon as a PNG file, it's recommended that you change it into an ICO file to guarantee maximum compatibility.

You can use a free online file converter like covertico.com to easily convert a PNG to an ICO.

Changing the favicon on an eCatholic website

Now that you have your ICO file on hand, just upload it to the favicon slot located in the Administration tab of your eCatholic website. (The video below shows the steps.)

Once your favicon is uploaded, you're all set! Just be aware that the favicon in your browser tab may not instantly refresh. If the new favicon doesn't appear right away, you may need to refresh your cache.