T&S Web Design

Here at T&S we recently started creating favicons for all our clients’ websites. What is a favicon? Well, visit any popular website and take a look at your browser’s tab, or up at the address bar. You’ll see a small 16×16 icon. Each browser has a default icon (Internet Explorer 7 has the IE logo), but if the site has specified their own favicon, it will appear instead. The favicon is also shown in the bookmark list in most browsers.

If you create a favicon for your site, a visitor will associate it with your site. It will create additional branding reinforcement.

There are several ways to go about creating a favicon. Just use your favorite graphics editing program to create a 16×16 icon. Make sure you view it a 100% to ensure that it’s easily identifiable. Then you can use one of the following methods for converting it into a favicon.ico file.

• Paint Shop Pro / PhotoShop plugin
• Online converter

Once your file is ready, just put it in the main (a.k.a. root) directory of your site. There you go! Your favicon should now automatically appear when anyone views or bookmarks your website.

For more info on favicons, check out Wikipedia’s page on the favicons.

Everyone should be open to new, innovative ideas for their business card design: just because you have one, doesn’t mean it’s working!

I can’t stress the vitality of a memorable design and one that will leave a lasting impression. Your business card is not only an essential business tool, but it can also be used as effective marketing material. People often overlook business cards because it contains your standard contact information, but why not add value to yours? Give your potential clients something worth holding on to.

Here are three ideas to enhance your card (if applicable to your business):

1) Add a list of your services, possibly with prices (you have the option of making a tri-fold card)
2) Make yours a punch card so clients have incentive to return
3) Use your business card as a promotional tool that markets your service rather than just contact information

Still asking yourself if you’re in need for a business card make-over?

See if your card contains any of the following…

1. The color red (always stands out on a card)
2. A picture (connects faces with names)
3. Vertical composition
4. Colored Background
5. Colorful image that stands out
6. Quality paper
7. Double-sided
8. Rounded corners

With at least one of these features, your card is guaranteed to stand out!

If you’re new to the business world and wary of committing to a website, start small with a business card and build your business identity from there. I promise, it’s an entrepreneur’s best friend!