What is a thumbnail? How to design one people want to click

Thumbnail is a term for the small preview images used in many search engines and browsers. On a website, a thumbnail also means the representative image of a page or post. Many techniques are used to improve a website, compete with rivals and give users a better experience. In this article, MONA Media will help you understand what a thumbnail is and the benefits of using thumbnails on your website.

What is a thumbnail?

A thumbnail is a reduced-size image used in many search engines and browsers. The term thumbnail is common among designers and photographers in Vietnam and abroad. A thumbnail lets viewers look through many images at once, which saves page load time, improves loading speed and makes search easier for users.

Today, thumbnails are used not only on Pinterest, YouTube and Google Search but also on websites. These small images make a website run faster and improve the user experience. Each platform has its own thumbnail size, for example:

• Pinterest sets the thumbnail width at 236 pixels. The number of images shown depends on the size of the screen you are using.
• YouTube sets the thumbnail size at 210 x 118 pixels. This size matches the 16:9 aspect ratio that YouTube uses.
• Google Search generally recommends thumbnails of around 177 pixels.

For a website, the size depends on whether the thumbnail is for a post or for the site layout. Developers and administrators work out the best size for each case.

See more: 

• What is the standard image size
• Standard image sizes for social networks

Common features of thumbnail images

In general, thumbnail design differs by industry and by platform, but these features are shared:

• The size has to be adjusted to fit each platform.
• Designed as an image file (JPEG and PNG)
• The image hints at the main content and is designed to attract attention.
• It creates a focal point and curiosity, so users click the image to see the content.

Why use thumbnails on your website?

The biggest advantage of a thumbnail is its optimized size and small file weight, which helps your pages load faster. Users can glance at these images and decide whether they want to see the content. There are many more advantages. Here are the main benefits thumbnails bring to your website:

Higher engagement from thumbnails

Thumbnails can capture customers' attention. A striking preview image makes customers want to click through to your post. That raises your engagement, so it is worth paying attention to thumbnails to help your website rank higher and SEO content be found more easily.

User-friendly

From a thumbnail and a title, users can tell what the content is about and decide whether it is worth reading. This helps them find content quickly. Thumbnails are considered a user-friendly way to help your website reach online customers.

An eye-catching thumbnail with clear content also improves the experience on mobile. On a phone screen, an appealing small image is a key factor in whether someone clicks.

Faster page load speed

A thumbnail file is much lighter than the original image, so it loads much faster. That improves the user experience and saves data for your site. The number of posts and images on a website grows over time, so you need to optimize image formats and sizes and use thumbnails to improve your page loading speed.

Saves space in search results

Thumbnails are compact, so many images can be shown at once and users can pick one easily. It saves space for images and time spent searching. It makes search better on both smartphones and computers.

Tips for designing thumbnails that stand out

Because a good thumbnail matters, MONA shares a few tips for designing preview images that attract attention and meet the standard. With them, you can get your post or website content across more easily.

Use striking thumbnail colors

How you use color in a thumbnail has a big effect on how customers feel and what they notice. Color acts directly on sight and psychology. That is why everything from logo design to website interfaces pays close attention to color. Research colors carefully when you design a thumbnail.

Pay attention to fonts and text

A thumbnail is not just an image, it also carries a little text. Be sure to choose a font that fits your website, use a moderate size and put the key message across. Users today look at the preview image, title and short description to decide whether to read your post. Strong SEO content and a well-made thumbnail together lead to higher engagement.

Use faces or close-up images

Thumbnails are small, so pick close-up images. They are easy to see and recognize. A wide, general shot is hard to read in a small frame, and users struggle to see what it means. Choose a person or a close-up with a clear, striking scene.

Keep thumbnails consistent

Consistent thumbnails matter when you publish on your website. Keep the logo, colors and fonts consistent so users recognize your brand more easily. You can also reuse these images when you sell across several channels.

Also add your logo to the thumbnail and keep the amount of text on it small. 

How to create a thumbnail easily

You can create thumbnails with Photoshop, graphic design apps or other software. Today, Photoshop and Canva are the most popular choices for making thumbnails. These image editors make it easy to pick the size and file weight. Paint is another easy way to make a thumbnail.

However, to shrink many images at once, use other tools, such as Easy Thumbnails, Right Thumb and FastStone Photo Resizer. These tools resize your images automatically after you set your edits once.

Professional coders can also write code to turn original images into thumbnails automatically. There are many ways to create a thumbnail, but what matters most is understanding why they matter and the techniques behind a striking preview image.

If you want a range of designs thumbnail for your website, you can also work with a professional thumbnail design company such as MONA Media. With our experience over 10 years in website design and marketing, we can deliver professional, standards-compliant and eye-catching thumbnails for your business. Please CONTACT US with MONA via Hotline 1900 636 648 for detailed advice.

That is our detailed answer to the question What is a thumbnail?, along with why thumbnails matter for a website and how to make a high-quality, professional and distinctive one. We hope the information MONA shared above helps you create striking thumbnails that attract customers more effectively. Good luck!