Twitter recently unveiled a totally new look with a bigger header. Yes, it does look much more like Facebook, but for brands this is an opportunity to be creative and show more of who you are and what you do.
Here’s what the new header looks like:
The recommended dimensions are 1500 x 500 pixels. That size displays well on most screens, but will have padding around it on a wide screen.
TIP: The images tend to degrade once you upload them, so start with the highest quality image possible.
Use this template to design your new header. Take into account brand consistency – stay with the visual ‘look and feel’ you’ve created on your other social channels. Think about how it will look on mobile phones.
TIP: 60% of Twitter’s users log in via mobile. And mobile Twitter users are more engaged. So take note of the areas that are not visible on a phone. Remember that your profile image will move to the center of the banner when displayed on a phone or tablet. Make sure your designer knows exactly how to position the images and text on the new header image so that it also shows to best advantage on a mobile device.
How to Upload the New Header
If you do not already have this new look on your Twitter account, you’re not alone! Only 3 of the Top Ten on the 2013 Inc. 500 list and four of Top Ten in the Fortune 100 have updated their Twitter headers. Go here to get yours updated. (You have to be logged in to your Twitter account/)
Twitter will automatically use your current header picture and just stretch it to fit this new format, so you must create a new image that works for this new format.
Once you have the image ready go to your profile page and click “Edit Profile” on the right-hand side of the page. A camera icon and “Change your header photo” will appear over the header image. Click on the camera icon and select the Upload Photo option from the drop down menu. Upload your new image. If you’ve made it these specs it should fit nicely in the new header. You can move it around a bit with the slider provided. Remember to click “Save Changes” when you’re done.
Here are some examples of what brands have done with this new look.
Background image
There is no need for a background image anymore. There only place it is seen in on your feed, and you’re the only one who sees that. So if you have done a fantastic job designing a killer background image, now’s the time to take all that smart creativity and rework it into this new header format.
Get creative. Use this new layout to showcase your brand. And keep a consistent brand look and feel across all social channels. And by the way consistent does not mean identical. The definition of consistent is: unchanging in effect – compatible or in agreement with. So you can be very creative and still be consistent.
Need help with your new Twitter header? Give us a call on 626 296 6218.