A favicon is a small file (16 x 16 pixels) used to enhance the website URL shown at the top of the browser. Since space is limited, authors often use their initials (e.g., Stephen King, Courtney Milan).  This website uses my wife’s initials (MW).  Not all browsers will show the small icon (e.g., Android Chrome does not).

Many WordPress websites overlook this simple, but useful branding technique.  And it’s easy to implement.

Create the favicon.ico file using software or a free online tool.   I used http://www.favicon.cc/.  After downloading the icon file to my PC, I copied it to our website (using FileZilla’s ftp), placing it in the public_html folder.

That’s all there is to it.  At first the icon didn’t appear, but I typed https://margaretwatson.com/favicon.ico in the browser address, F5 to refresh, and then it worked.