Did you happen to notice a miniature icon that is usually seen in the tab display of some browsers or in your bookmarks? Well, that is called the favorites icon. Nowadays, it is more popularly coined as “the favicon”.

Now how do you create one for yourself? Well, here are three simple steps to craft your own favicon image.

First, create an image. You can only do this by using a graphics programs and setting your page to a 16 x 16 pixel. The dimension is quite minute, so try various sizes to come up with an image or icon that is suitable enough for your site. After which, save the file you created as either a BMP or a GIF file. It should contain only 256 colors or lesser if possible. The Web standard uses 216 colors; but since the icon is for Windows display alone, it can be set to 256 colors. The web icons are just like web images, they are not capable of displaying a multitude of colors.

Second, transform your design into an icon. After finishing the design correctly, you need to set it up in an icon format. Editors are in wide availability to convert these icons, good examples of editors include: Graphics Software Guide, Sue Chastain, CursorArts, and IconForge. All these files have to bear the name “favicon.ico”.

Lastly, publish your unique icon. The task is as simple as uploading any file. You need to upload it the same way like the files which you want to get bookmarked. By simply uploading it in the same directory, you’ll be able to place the icon in no time. You can also choose to design different icons for every page on your site, or you can point to a single icon in various folders. Simply add a connection reference to the header of each HTML file that you want to get associated with and you’ll be able to do the easy trick as swiftly as can be. With your favicon neatly customized, you will have a distinct feeling that you can only get out of doing it yourself.

Tags: Crafting Your Favicon