Examples of Facebook Cover Photos Done Right

One of the most important features of Facebook that many companies do not fully grasp is the cover image. Serving as both the first page element the eye notices as well as the most prominent element overall, a cover image should be considered a page's most powerful tool. It should reflect branding and social media goals, reinforcing a positive image that creates immediate positive correlation of the brand in the visitor's mind.

In this blog post, I've curated some of the best and the worst cover photos I could find. These photos exemplify some companies that are placing emphasis on branding and some that are completely off point.

The Bad

Microsoft. Okay. I get the concept: squares, color scheme, emphasis on mood. But what I see here is a couple of images with attempted color pop, and a lot of random images that have no immediately perceptible cohesion. Who are these people? Why are they in the cover photo? Who created what? It makes too little sense, and it doesn't help that Microsoft has a bit of a background in bizarre cover photos.

What in Carnation!? I'll hand it to them - the cover photo shows their storefront. But it looks like an iPhone shot, especially with the photographer in the reflection. To those out of area, the phone number does little - only locals would be familiar with the area code. What do they do? There is little effort at branding and creativity. For any shop that deals with flowers, there are ENDLESS cover photo possibilities.

The In Between

Humane Society. The branding is consistent.... but could be better. It's a cute animal with a heartwarming face... but what else? Without some kind of text or logo, there is no branding. There's no way to tell if this image belongs to them, either - were it to be the result of a simple image search, that eliminates any type of creativity on their end.

Sprint. I give them the benefit of the doubt on this: the imagery is excellent. The color scheme contrasts fantastically and ties in with the company's logo. The font is a great choice: professional and clean, but not immediately recognizable as a typical serif font, making it a bit more creative. However, beyond the visual elements, without an extra reference, you can't tell what this image is trying to communicate. What are the Frobinsons? What's a Framily? What does it have to do with Sprint or the brand? One more smaller text with a tagline would have completely solved this problem. It doesn't make me want to read more or find out. It just confuses me. I can only imagine it's the same for others.

The Good

Red Dress Boutique. Their cover photo is cohesive, colorful, and consistent with the brand's image. It's eye catching and the graphics create a fantastic contrast that reinforces the brand's bright nature. The colors invoke creativity and inspiration in their target demographic, creating the desire to look further. The product pictured remains the focus of the image and is the focal point of the contrast. The photo is carefully positioned so the logo fits perfectly in the corner without being a distraction.

American Heart Association. The cover photo is the perfect extension of the brand and profile photo. The red heart is a common element in the picture without being overdone. The photo itself grabs the viewer's attention, and the girl's playfulness and expression invoke a positive emotional/mental response. The logo is carefully placed with the company name. The line of sight travels smoothly and in a logical order: it begins with the profile picture, continues across the photo with the outspread arms, and the logo completes it.