Just like logos represent entire brands, your profile and cover photo on your social media profiles represents your company. It should create a positive impression and with 93% of people saying that visuals influence purchase decisions, optimizing your Facebook profile is key.
Since the profile picture of your company is one of the first things prospects or clients notice about your business on social media, it’s important to choose a high-quality photo that represents your business well. We’re here to offer a strategy to maximize your social media presence and teach Facebook cover photo best practices.
Profile Pictures versus Cover Photos
One important distinction to be made is the difference between a profile picture and a cover photo.
- Profile – A profile picture will represent your brand on nearly all social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This is usually a very small, circular photo and it is the first impression a viewer will get of you and your brand. Often times, this is a logo or company-related picture.
- Cover – A cover photo is only on Facebook and LinkedIn. This is what a viewer would see after clicking on your profile. This is often a great place to give your reader more information about your company.
Creating a Facebook Cover Photo Template
The Facebook cover image, or Facebook banner, is the focal point of your page. While the perfect cover photo is hard to come by, there are a few tips that can help you maximize the space.
- Begin by assessing the Facebook cover photo dimensions. We have given you the common sizes below for each platform. You can also generally find this with a quick Google search.
- Use a template to get inspiration and keep your design on track. A template can also help you keep the cover photo from becoming too busy or overwhelming. It should be easy to read, attractive, and relatively simple.
- Remember that many people will access your page on mobile and desktop devices. Check and make sure that what you create looks good on mobile as well as on a computer.
Choosing an Image to Represent Your Brand
Decide whether to showcase your logo or a different photo for your profile picture. Remember, this image appears not only on your page but also in followers’ newsfeeds and on all your social media posts and comment replies.
This is the first impression your company will make. Your profile picture should be easily recognizable and associated with your company, fostering brand recognition. Logos are the most common choice, but they might not suit every industry. For instance, realtors and lawyers often benefit from using a professional headshot.
Avoid using photos of buildings, locations, or specific products. If you want to find a picture for your profile picture, ask yourself what defines your company. If you’re unsure, it’s generally safest to stick with your logo.
Facebook Cover Photo Size – What’s Best?
After choosing your profile picture, selecting the right size is crucial for maintaining a professional appearance across platforms.
Profile Picture
Each social media site has specific image size guidelines. For instance, Twitter requires a minimum of 400×400 pixels to ensure clarity and visibility. Instagram’s minimum is 110×110 pixels, focusing on smaller screens, while LinkedIn needs 300×300 pixels to maintain quality in professional settings. Facebook, on the other hand, doesn’t specify a minimum size but highlights display sizes for both desktop and mobile views.
Handling all these specifications might seem overwhelming, but there’s no need to create a unique image for each platform. Instead, using a 400×400 pixel image is a versatile solution that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, ensuring your profile picture appears clear and professional everywhere.
Remember that Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram crop profile photos into a circle. To avoid awkward cropping, leave sufficient space between the subject of your image and the edges. This way, important elements aren’t cut off and your picture retains its intended impact.
Cover Photo
When adding or changing your cover photo on Facebook, it is essential to have the correct size. The minimum dimensions for a Facebook cover photo are 400 pixels wide by 150 pixels tall. However, the recommended size is 851 pixels wide by 315 pixels tall for desktop and 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall for mobile. Facebook will automatically adjust your photo to fit the cover slot, but if it’s not correctly sized, it may appear distorted.
Similarly, LinkedIn recommends at least 400×400 pixels for cover photos. Like with profile pictures, you can use the same one for both.
By following these guidelines, you can create a consistent and recognizable brand presence across all major social media platforms.
Uploading Tip: Avoid a Blurry Image
Image size isn’t the only consideration when creating your profile picture. Before you click “Upload,” there’s a crucial step to ensure clarity.
Have you ever uploaded a photo only to find it looks blurry after saving it? Keeping track of dimensions is challenging enough without repeatedly uploading to get the right quality. Start by using the appropriate dimensions—400×400 pixels is a reliable standard.
Next, reduce your image’s opacity to 99% in a photo editor. This ensures the platform uploads your image as a PNG file, which offers higher quality than standard JPGs. After adjusting the opacity, save the image as a PNG and keep the file size as small as possible. Blurriness often occurs because platforms automatically reduce file sizes.
When uploading, avoid cropping if prompted. Once saved, check your profile to ensure the image looks sharp. If it’s blurry, try reducing the file size further and reupload.
Maximizing Your Cover Photo
A clear picture that conveys your brand’s voice is a huge asset on social media. To optimize your page further, consider these options to add to your cover photo.
Services
You can use the cover photo to tell viewers what you do and what your services are. For example, if you work in construction, you could use a graphic designer to add words like “Residential, Commercial, and Remodel.” This immediately tells potential clients who you are.
Call-to-Actions (CTA)
It could also be used as a place to emphasize how to use your services. Like providing a phone number, a link, or other call to action related to your business. Create a cover photo that offers additional information to your Facebook business page.
SEO Optimization
Many companies overlook this feature, but it’s powerful. Did you know you can add a caption to your Facebook cover picture to boost SEO? Search engines crawl social media pages and can pick up image captions, so make use of them!
Get Help with Your Facebook Company Profile
Optimizing your social media brand can significantly enhance your online presence. If you need to create a need profile or optimize your current one, our social media marketing team can help! Together, we cantrengthen your social media presence and build a closer connection with your digital audience.
Reach out to us today! To learn more about our marketing solutions!
