Creating Favicon ( Favorites Icons )

Perhaps you've noticed that sometimes websites have icons instead of the default icon? This is an example of a default icon.

Here is the same page, but with a custom favicon.ico file.

This is what the favicon file looks like in the favorites list.

How Do You Make Favicon.ico Files?

Create a file that is 16 x 16 pixels with 16 colors. Then use a program like irfanview to save it as an ico ( icon ) file with the name "favicon.ico". You can also visit Favicon UK. They have a free online icon maker that sends your favicon.ico file to you via email.

How Do You Install Favicons?

Name the file favicon.ico ( must be a real icon file ), and upload it into your web directory in the root of your html files. For example you would put it here: http://www.domain.com/favicon.ico

If anyone bookmarks your web page now it will list that favicon will show up in their favorites and when they return to your website.

If you want them to have the same favicon on every page you'll have to add some html code into your headers

Where can I Get Free Favicons?

Here are some freeware icons that you can use:

Download the Flag Icons zip package.
 

If you book mark this page, there will be an icon in your favorites. You won't be able to see it until you restart your browser though.

How Do Favicons Increase Traffic?

Anything you can do to stand out will increase traffic. A favicon is one of hundreds of ways. We like favicons because they aren't intrusive, don't take any extended download times, work just about everywhere, have a good "cool" factor and only take about 15 minutes to setup.

Misc Favicon Info

You can also force a favicon on another location ( like via https ) by using the following code in your header: