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How do i create a facebook cover photo


How to Create Great Facebook Cover Photos (Free Templates)

When someone visits your Facebook page, the first thing they see is a large splash image taking up almost a quarter of the screen: your Facebook cover photo. This is your profile’s headline, a big, bold banner image that introduces your brand to potential Facebook followers.

You can feature a lot in your Facebook cover photo: images of your product or team, ads and promotions, or even something as simple as graphic that sets the right mood. A good cover photo can result in increased engagement, whether that’s more page likes or boosted traffic to your website or other social channels.

So, how do you make Facebook cover photos—and get the most out of them?

This article will go over everything you need to know about Facebook cover photos.

We’re also sharing 5 free templates created by our in-house design team to help you get started.

Let’s start with the basics: making sure your image fits the Facebook cover photo size guidelines (and their other guidelines, too).

Bonus: Download your free pack of 5 customizable Facebook cover photo templates now. Save time and easily promote your brand with a professional design.

Facebook cover photo size: 851 x 315 pixels

The minimum dimensions for a Facebook cover photo (sometimes referred to as “Facebook banner size”) are 851 x 315 pixels. This is the best size to choose if you’re making a cover photo and want to know exactly how it will look before you upload it.

For the highest quality photographic experience, Facebook recommends using a PNG file. Choose this option if you want to display a high definition logo in your cover image, or if your cover image contains copy that really needs to stand out.

On mobile, it’s often better to prioritize image types that load quickly and don’t use a lot of data. In this case, Facebook recommends uploading an sRGB JPEG file that also follows these two requirements:

  • Dimensions: 851 x 315 pixels
  • File size: less than 100 kb

Remember, on desktop, Facebook cover photos are more rectangular, accounting for larger/widescreen displays. On mobile, the cover photo is more square, allowing it to fit on a portrait-oriented screen.

While 95 percent of Facebook users access the site via mobile, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the 31 percent of users who also browse via desktop. For a Facebook cover photo that looks good on any screen, Facebook recommends an image that’s 820 pixels x 462 pixels. This also applies to the platform’s newer cover format: Facebook cover videos.

Facebook cover video size: 820 x 462 pixels

Facebook cover videos are another way to grab a user’s attention and drive user interactions on your page. On desktop, cover videos definitely look more engaging than static photos, and can really bring your page to life. However, they’re less effective on mobile, as they don’t autoplay, and instead load as a thumbnail.

Here’s Facebook’s recommended settings for cover video size and duration:

  • Dimensions: 820 x 462 pixels (820 x 312 minimum)
  • Duration: 20 to 90 seconds (no more, no less!)

Note: Facebook cover videos can have audio, but it won’t play unless you actually click on the video. For best results, make sure the video you upload works equally well with or without sound. This is something you should keep in mind even outside cover videos: 85 percent of Facebook users watch videos with the volume turned off.

Other requirements for Facebook cover photos and videos

Besides these technical requirements, there are specific rules for the kinds of content you can display in Facebook cover photos and videos. These rules are fairly standard:

  • Make sure you’re not violating anyone’s copyright.
  • Make sure your cover photo or video is family-friendly and safe-for-work.
  • Make sure that if you’re advertising a product with your cover photo or video, you’re not breaking any of Facebook’s advertising rules.

For a full breakdown of these policies, check out the Facebook page guidelines.

How to use the Facebook cover photo templates

Starting with a professionally designed template makes it easier to create your own Facebook cover photo. Here’s how to customize our templates for your brand. You will need Adobe Photoshop to get started.

Bonus: Download your free pack of 5 customizable Facebook cover photo templates now. Save time and easily promote your brand with a professional design.

1. After you’ve downloaded the templates, you’ll notice that the fonts and image files are separate. Double click on the font file of your selected theme to upload the font to your computer. Click install font.

2. Double click the image file to open it in Photoshop.

3. Select the Facebook cover photo template that you’d like to work with first.

4. To edit text: double click the text you would like to edit. You can change fonts and colors in the menu on the left-hand side.

5. To edit a color block or background: double click the color block you would like to edit. Change the size or use the menu on the left-hand side to change the color.

6. To edit a photo or image: double click the photo you would like to edit and click insert new image. Resize image as necessary.

7. To save the template: Select the template you would like to use and go to Save>Export As>Artboard to Files. Make sure to save as a .jpg or .png.

8. Upload your Facebook cover photo following the steps below.

How to upload Facebook cover photos

Once you’re finished making your Facebook cover photo, uploading it is easy.

  1. Navigate to your Facebook business page and mouse over the cover photo space at the top.
  2. Click Add a Cover in the top left corner.
  3. Click Upload Photo/Video and select the photo you’d like to upload.
  4. A preview of your photo will appear in the cover space. Click the photo and drag it up or down to the vertical orientation of your liking.
  5. Click Publish.

If you don’t like how your Facebook cover photo is positioned after you’ve published it, you can click Update Cover and then Reposition, which will return you to step 4.

As you upload more cover photos, you’ll build up a library. If you ever want to replace your current cover photo with an older one, click Select Photo instead of Upload Cover Photo in step 3, and you’ll be able to choose from previously uploaded images.

Finally, the Select Artwork button contains a number of premade background images for your cover photo space. These look fine in a pinch, but I’d recommend creating branded images for your business page that showcase your organization’s personality, products, or services.

How to upload Facebook cover videos

Uploading a Facebook cover video is almost the same as uploading a cover photo, with a couple of extra steps.

  1. Navigate to your company page and mouse over the space at the top.
  2. Click Add a Cover in the top left corner.
  3. Click Upload Photo/Video and select the video you’d like to upload.
  4. A preview of your video will appear in the cover space. Click the video and drag it up or down to the vertical orientation of your liking.
  5. Choose a thumbnail from the 10 available options Facebook provides (hint: pick the one that’s most likely to pique interest and reel someone in).
  6. Click Publish.

Facebook cover photos: best practices

Now that you know the basics of creating and uploading cover photos, it’s time to look at some powerful examples, and the strategies behind them.

1. Use a simple image with a clear focal point

The whole point of your profile banner is to grab attention and elicit curiosity so people take action on your page. Use memorable imagery with colors that reflect your brand, and don’t be afraid to make use of negative space, particularly if you’re including copy: it’ll help your words stand out.

Bonus: Download your free pack of 5 customizable Facebook cover photo templates now. Save time and easily promote your brand with a professional design.

Get the templates now!

This playful cover photo from Zendesk uses bright colors and negative space to make their copy pop.

2. Pair your Facebook cover photo with your profile picture

A Facebook cover photo that matches with the profile picture always looks professional and put-together. It might sound limiting, but it’s also a good opportunity to get creative.

Target’s eye-catching Facebook cover photo makes clever use of their bullseye logo. The optical illusion caught me off-guard, earning this cover photo my full attention.

3. Optimize your cover photo for mobile

When you’re choosing an image for your Facebook cover photo, think about how it’s going to look on the screens of Facebook’s 1.15 billion smartphone users. If there’s tiny text, will it be readable? How will the finer details look on a smaller screen? What’s being cut off when your cover photo is panned-and-scanned to mobile format?

I was surprised to find that many companies (big companies!) don’t actually bother to optimize for this, making it an easy way to provide a better page experience than your competitors.

Duolingo has smartly chosen an image that doesn’t change too much between desktop and mobile. Nothing is lost in translation, providing both audiences with an equally good browsing experience.

As an added bonus, the brand name in the banner leaves the profile picture open for Lingo (their company mascot) to greet visitors to the page.

4. Balance your Facebook cover photo with right-aligned elements

Centered images work well on cover photos, but aligning your image content to the right is aesthetically pleasing and has strategic value. Facebook’s call-to-action buttons appear on the right side of your profile; ideally, your images should draw the eye to that section of the page. If possible, include elements that draw attention to your CTA.

Here, YouTube star and cake-decorating sensation Yolanda Gampp uses the cover photo to advertise her new cookbook, How to Cake It. This banner effectively leads the eye, starting with the copy, then to the book cover, which is placed right over the Watch Video CTA. It’s a direct route to her YouTube channel—and an invitation join her 3.6 million subscribers!

5. Update your cover photo regularly

Your Facebook cover photo is the ideal place to announce what’s new at your company. Keep this space updated with fresh content, whether you’re promoting a new product or service, or referencing current events in relation to your brand.

Here, KFC uses their cover video to advertise the Canadian launch of the latest twist on the infamous Double-Down. This profile video works well because the animation is on a short loop so it’s not too distracting. It really creates a mood!

6. Link out from your Facebook cover photo

Including a link within the cover photo page itself is a good way to drive traffic to your other pages via Facebook. Use a link shortener like ow.ly to create a customized URL format that’s unique to your brand. It makes links more manageable, and conceals the UTM code you should be using to track your traffic sources.

Here, Threadless uses an all-too-relatable drawing of a cat to drive traffic to their website. When you click the cover photo, you find a link directing you to purchase the T-shirt. The link contains a UTM code, allowing Threadless to track page views from their Facebook cover photo.

Although they haven’t done it here, another strategy is to have this URL direct to the same page as the CTA on your main profile, offering another chance for conversion. This also lets you experiment with other CTAs on your Facebook page (Facebook currently has seven to choose from).

Check out this post if you want to more about how to write an irresistible call to action.

7. Pin important updates below your Facebook cover photo

Remember, the goal of a headline is to get you to read the article below, and Facebook cover photos are no different. Pin your most important current content to the top of your Facebook page.

When people are drawn in by your cover photo, they’ll see the most relevant information as soon as they scroll down.

Hootsuite is currently promoting an upcoming webinar series on Demystifying Social ROI. In addition to a cover video highlighting the event, we’ve pinned it as the first post on our page so people remember to sign up.

Manage your brand’s Facebook presence and your new Facebook cover photo with Hootsuite. Engage followers, track results, and schedule new posts from a single dashboard. Try it free today.

Get Started

With files from Shannon Tien.

10 Best Practices to Create the Perfect Facebook Cover Photo

Facebook cover photos are like shop windows for a brands’ pages. Users look at an image for a second and make a decision whether to stay on the page or not. Moreover, it can also work as a small landing page, a call-to-action visual and an event announcement.

There are certain Facebook guidelines and rules for the format of the cover photo. That being said, the process of creating an awesome Facebook cover image can seem quite daunting.

All this pressure and no fun!

Well, it’s not entirely true – there is still room for creativity. You just need to remember that your shop window has its limits but also that today you have tools to easily create your own cool cover photos.

We made it very simple to create Facebook cover photos with VistaCreate. All you have to do is customize the text and add your photo.

Now, let’s dive into the secret of eye-catching Facebook cover images, the most essential information to get you started and exceptional examples of inspiring ideas for businesses.

1. Comply with Facebook Page’s Cover Photo Guidelines

We’ll start with the most dull but important information – the official Facebook guidelines.

If you don’t want your page to be taken down over a cover photo, follow the guidelines:

  • Make sure your cover is not deceptive, misleading or infringes anyone’s copyright.
  • You may not encourage people to upload your cover to their personal timelines.
  • Don’t include third party products, brands or sponsors within your Page’s cover photo or profile picture.
2. Make sure to use the right Facebook cover size
  • The proper Facebook cover photo size is 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall. It should be JPG or PNG file that weighs less than 100 kilobytes.
  • The profile picture displays 170×170 pixels on computers, 128×128 pixels on smartphones and will be cropped to fit a square. We recommend uploading an image size of at least 180×180 pixels.

If the cover photo you want to use doesn’t fit the requirements, don’t worry! You can upload it and reposition, which means you can cut off parts that don’t fit. Just remember to use a high-quality photo so you have something to work with in case you have to crop it.

3. Optimize cover photo for mobile devices

Remember the tricky thing that FB covers do on smartphones – your cover will appear taller and will be cut off at the sides. Cover displays at 820×312 pixels on web and just 640×360 pixels on smartphones.

Keep this difference in mind when choosing and designing your cover and don’t place important text or objects on the sides of the photo. Try to stick to versatile images.  

Phew, the boring stuff is over!

Let’s move on to pretty pictures and awesome examples.

4. Your cover photo should be relevant to your brand

We process images much faster than text – 60,000 times faster to be exact. With a Facebook photo cover, this is the ultimate opportunity to engage your audience even before they read the page title, see buttons or post text.

Explain what your business does or what you stand for with a single image. Use a photo or an illustration that will support your brand’s style in terms of colors, theme, and values.

Think about what your target audience might like. Are they geeky millennials who mostly work in IT and read TechCrunch? Or maybe they are suburban parents who tend to break parenting stereotypes and are into a healthy lifestyle?

Your audience’s tastes and interests will help you understand what your Facebook cover should look like and what message it should translate.

Let’s look at brands that made eye-catching and brand consistent Facebook covers.

Shazam used artists’ images with a popular Duotone filter:

Vice’s quirky, styled photo collages with their logo in the middle:

Healthy delivery service, Freshly, shows its product and focuses on a text message:

Vans rebels against clean, uniform covers:

5. Let the cover image resonate with the page’s content

Since your Facebook cover image is like a shop window, it should show what it is you’re selling. One can get carried away with all the creative opportunities and create a cover that will be aesthetically perfect but misleading for a customer.

It is not distasteful to show your product on the cover, just do it in context and with style.

Here are a couple of ideas on how you can showcase your brand:

  • Show your office, if you have a nice one. This is a good option for companies who consult or other agencies.
  • Show your team – it is a sure way to make potential customers trust your company (especially if you are family-owned or a small and new business)
  • Showcase your product in perfect light
  • Show your product in context: if you sell coffee, it could be a flat lay shot of a nice breakfast.
  • Create a seasonal Facebook cover: when you will promote Christmas sale posts, your cover will support the message

Make sure the style, tone and aesthetics of your cover image play along with the rest of the page’s content.

6. How to find the right stock images for a Facebook cover

In most cases, stock photos are the cheapest, fastest and most appealing option for a cover image. So how do you find the right one? Here are some helpful tips:

  1. Big stock platforms are a go-to choice for images. They have their advantages: a wider choice of visuals, exclusive content and licensed images. This option is a sure way to avoid the risk of violating any author’s rights.
  2. Use free photos, but don’t have high expectations. Free image sites have obvious perks, but too many people use this option. It also means that your images might be the same as your competitor’s and hundreds of other brands.
  3. Use online graphic design services. Online graphic editor VistaCreate has a built-in library of 60 million images from Depositphotos. You can choose a template and customize it with a photo of your choice in a couple of minutes.
  4. Stay away from stock cliches. They are easy to identify: forced smiles and poses, unnatural and bright lighting, and a composition with no context. Using these images shows that you either don’t care or have poor taste (don’t know which is worse).
  5. Choose authentic photography that evokes emotions. The more your brand photography reflects the authentic, close-to-life style, the better. Find photos that translate emotions and precious moment – this creates a personalised message for each user.
  6. Don’t shy away from being bold. Minimalism and bright colors are still in trend. Don’t miss the opportunity to make a statement with an eye-catching image. Opt for clean, simple and vivid photos.

For more tips on finding stock photos check this: The Ultimate Stock Image Search Guide.

7. Add a CTA and a link

Although it seems quite desperate to turn every image and post on your page into an ad, the cover image can also be a place for a call-to-action. Add a shortened link and a short, relevant call-to-action to the cover image description. This way, users will be able to click the link whenever they open a cover image directly.

This is especially important for covers that support seasonal and other offers – users may want to visit the website right after seeing the information.

8. Avoid common cover images mistakes

Following the guidance we offer here, it is enough to create an attractive Facebook cover image. However, let’s also talk about the mistakes brands often make when choosing covers:

  1. Changing the cover image too often. We get it – you have creative fever and the ideas just pop in your head. Save some for the future and don’t confuse your existing audience with a different cover image every day. Change your cover photo once every three-four weeks; it is enough to keep consistency and catch a user’s attention.
  2. Keeping the same cover for months. If you really like your current cover image and it brings noticeable results, you may stick to it for a very long time. Let it go! You can try to find an image by the same author or with the same theme – just don’t forget to update your cover image and keep it relevant to your page’s content.
  3. Adding too many elements. Sometimes we want to add a good photo, a headline from the last campaign, a logo and couple of stickers. It may even look okay, but a cover like this simply won’t work for your brand. When there is too much clutter, a user won’t be able to distinguish your message.
  4. Choosing any image. Looking for a proper image could be a daunting task, but don’t stop on something generic. These images won’t help you communicate with your audience. If you don’t have any good ideas, look at the pages of big brands or browse ready-to-use templates. 
9. Successful Facebook cover photos examples

Glastonbury Festival simply used its brand’s illustrations for the cover. Looks good!

Social media service Amplifr use their cover to show that they’ve launched on Product Hunt.

Minimal and emotional cover photos from NikeWomen:

and Petcube:

Saatchi&Saatchi’s vivid cover with a focus on a message:

Starbucks always shows its UGC and products in context:

What story will your cover image tell?

10. Use free Facebook cover templates from VistaCreate

Short on ideas? Don’t you worry! We’ve gathered 10 different Facebook cover template ideas from VistaCreate, all free and easily customizable. They are created by professional designers, so all you have to do is customize the text and add your own images if necessary.

Customize

Customize

Customize

Customize

Customize

Customize

Customize

Customize

Customize

Create your Facebook Cover Right Now - It’s Free!

Create a Facebook cover: backgrounds and photos for FB header for free

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Imagine how much brighter your Facebook cover would look if it had a video instead of a photo! Make video covers for Facebook in VistaCreate. A sea of ​​templates for a quick start!

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VistaCreate is a simple and intuitive editor. Create amazing Facebook covers quickly - even without design skills.

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Your Facebook cover is your mirror. Let it be the perfect reflection of your character and style. With the VistaCreate editor, create vibrant visuals from your photos, videos, and graphics.

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Edit your Facebook cover

You can edit your Facebook cover the way you want - change captions, use different fonts, change the background and images.

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One design - different formats

Want to use your Facebook cover as a banner on your website or blog? No problem! With VistaCreate you can change the cover size to any other standard or custom size (up to 3000 x 3000 pixels) with one click.

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Add rhythm to your facebook cover

Your FB covers can be even more interesting - let them have even more rhythm and energy with animations, illustrations, icons, shapes, stickers and frames.

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How to Design a Facebook Cover Page

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    Select format

    To get started, go to the "Facebook cover" format.

  • step 2

    Select template

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  • step 3

    Personalize

    Change the template as you like - add, remove and edit any design elements.

  • step 4

    Download and Share

    Download the cover art or post it to Facebook directly from the VistaCreate interface.

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FAQ

  • What size is the Facebook cover format?

    The resolution of the Facebook cover format is 851×315 pixels. Use images with the highest possible resolution to ensure the quality of the design.

  • Can I use the prebuilt VistaCreate templates for my Facebook cover page for my business page?

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How to Create a Facebook Cover Video

Create a Facebook Cover Video

Facebook is the world leader in social media in 2020. According to the company's statistics, the number of monthly active users of the network is 2.60 billion people who watch about 8 billion video content daily. More than 80 million companies are registered here, a third of which generate such videos. One of the most enticing and memorable video formats is creative Facebook cover videos.

What is a Facebook cover video?

A Facebook Video Cover is a 20-90 second public live Facebook cover of a page or community that is broadcast on hover to the currently viewing user.

This design of the page header immediately provides a number of advantages:

  • Decorates the appearance of pages due to dynamism and creativity.
  • Increases the interest of users, and hence the duration of stay in the community.
  • Demonstrates the meanings, news and processes that are important for the company.

Did you know that according to WYZOWL, 87% of your customers already want to watch your brand videos? So why not start creating your own corporate video today?

What to consider when creating a Facebook cover video?

  1. Use corporate elements: office sign, branded clothing or equipment, logo. So you emphasize the originality and key features of the business.
  2. Only include unique content. All elements that appear in your video must not violate copyright: illustrations, fonts, diagrams, technologies, program codes.
  3. Comply with Facebook policies. The content of the video, as well as the material on business pages, must not include offers based on fraudulent schemes, goods or services in the field of alcohol and tobacco sales, materials for adults, advertising of medicines or gambling.
  4. Add promotions or advertising campaigns. The best SMM marketers recommend using several videos that, as the business page develops, will change: a company presentation, a time-lapse video of the company's processes, promotional promo videos. Thus, you will optimally quickly lure customers into the advertising funnel.

Note that visual content is 6.5 times more engaged than plain text. And if the visual materials are also dynamic, as in the video, this will increase the coverage by almost 2 times. That is why the preparation of the cover for your company page should be approached so substantively and seriously.

How to create a Facebook cover video online and for free?

The complexity of preparing videos for social networks is in choosing the right format, expanding, creating effects and editing frames. To work with the required formats, you usually need either middle/senior level specialists or multifunctional constructors. With SUPA, you can create the video content you want without professional programming skills and knowledge of video editors. It's easy, follow the instructions step by step.

How to create a Facebook video cover in SUPA?

1

Go through a quick registration procedure in the SUPA constructor

2

Log in to your personal account and select "Create"

3

Select the required format: in this case it is a Facebook cover.

4

Add media elements.

5

Make your cover dynamic.

6

Arrange objects and effects in order of priority along the timeline.

7

Save the final video to your computer.

Done!

Still don't fully understand the online constructor? We have created a step by step video tutorial on how to create a Facebook cover in SUPA. In 5 minutes you will get acquainted with all the features and features, we guarantee.

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