As I’ve discussed on this blog many times before, Twitter is a great tool for marketing. Also, I’ve talked about the importance of a unique design, and how you can create a unique design yourself. However, today I’m going to combine the two by talking about the importance of a unique Twitter background
As a quick intro, incase you’re wondering, the background of a Twitter page is the image behind the timeline. Twitter provides some standard ones, but these are really no good at all.
Why the standard backgrounds suck
- Unrecognisable – There are hundreds of millions of Twitter users, and even if 10% of them use the standard backgrounds, which means you just blend in with well over twenty million other people. As you can imagine, this is a nightmare for branding as no one will recognise you! A custom background sets you aside from the rest.
- Boring – I’d like to apologise to the Twitter designers in advance for this comment, but the backgrounds they provide are so BORING! Even if, by some miracle, people do remember you, they won’t want to visit your page again incase they fall to sleep!
- No advertising – Let’s be honest here – most people reading this post will use Twitter for advertising reasons only. A custom Twitter background gives you an awesome opportunity to tell your followers about your website(s) by adding URLs and saying what you do.
A few quick tips for a good Twitter background
- Include your URL – Obviously, so that people can visit your site.
- Add your logo – Adding your logo somewhere on the background means awesome branding.
- Introduce Yourself – Give a couple of lines about yourself; it’s a great way to connect.
- Make it vibrant – An exciting background makes you more memorable, so it’s worth doing.
Getting a custom Twitter background
It’s really not that hard to make a simple custom Twitter background, as long as you have basic knowledge of an editing software, you can make a basic background which could gain you more traffic.
However, if you want to achieve a high quality background, a great way to do this is to use a service like TwitArt.com. You may have heard about these guys as they’ve sponsored both my contests. TwitArt specialise in high quality Twitter backgrounds, and can add that extra element to the design which can only be accomplished by a professional designer. You can view some of their previous work here.
 If you choose to use TwitArt’s services, make sure that you enter the code ‘SIMONRODGERS’. This will give me a bit of commission on the sale, and in return I’ll add you to the ‘My Friends’ section at the bottom of my page. That means a quality linkback to your site, all for entering a simple code! |
As you told its very important to have a customized twitter background
and as it Christmas feast month so many bloggers and designers are giving away free customized twitter background. I found one at cssjockey.com 
If you find any more you can either mail me or comment here
Thanks for this useful information
Sunil Jain´s last blog ..10 Best Apple-iPhone Christmas Resources
Ah, I didn’t realise the contests were so common. Still, it’s an awesome prize for any contest, and TwitArt are definately one of the best at creating the backgrounds, so it’s well worth entering my contest!
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It’s always good to have a custom Twitter background because it makes you look professional and helps build your brand. It’s like blog templates and themes where premium themes and custom themes are the best and preferred because they also help in making you look professional and building your brand.
Shirley´s last blog ..SZ Weekly Wrap-Up 1 Of December, 2009
Exactly. I always stress the importance of a unique background for your blog, and Twitter is exactly the same!
I think most importantly having your own twitter background establishes and maintains your brand.
This brand should continue to appear in the many other social media sites and anywhere else you appear online.
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com´s last blog ..Guest Post Interview: Derek Jensen
Exactly. The more people see your logo or your name, the more likely they are to visit your blog, so it’s well worth advertising your site through any branding opportunity you get!
definitely custom twitter background give a professional. I try to use the code SIMONRODGERS in TwitArt,,, And i will be even more happy if i win that through your contest
Deepika´s last blog ..My Favourtie Posts@Which I Have Read
Cool, thanks for using my code, Deepika! Although, like you say, it would be best to win it through the contest, so good luck!
i Am Hoping that i win a custom twitter background from your contest
Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..Win One Theme V2.0 Licenses @eblogtip
Well, so far there’s only been one person who’s been retweeted, so if you get 2 or more retweets, you’ll win if it stays like this!
Yep. Coincidence really on having the same posts
Liane´s last blog ..There’s A Place In Twitter Where You Can Go Beyond 140 Characters
Custom Twitter Background is a must. It shows how professional you are and how much serious towards twitter.
Agent Deepak´s last blog ..Why did I change my Domain Name? – Its about Personal Branding
Cheers Simon!
I am hoping to get my twitter account sorted early in the new year. Will use your code !
David Shaw´s last blog ..Champion Blogger 2009: The Winners
Thanks David, and good luck on getting your Twitter sorted… let me know how it goes!
I have not used a custom background, because I have always thought that it does not matter. I do not see the value of a custom background, no matter how cool it is.
I for one do not normally visit that many twitter-home-pages of other users. When I visit I do not care what the backgournd is, because I am just looking for the tweets. For me the content matters and not the eye-candy.
Blogidy´s last blog ..Retaining Twitter Followers – How to Get Twitter Followers to Stick –
That’s true, but I suppose it depends on the individual.
For example, I actively promote my Twitter (such as when I do a guest post – quite often – I’ll leave a link to my Twitter in the author bio), so my Twitter page gets quite a lot of attention. Because of that, I’d rather have a background that converted in to visits!
They definitely do good work; not sure if the price is high or not though.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Last Chance! MaxBlogPress Christmas 4 Plugin Package At 75% Off Deal Expires TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!! PLUS Something Extra From Me
Hmm, I’m not sure it is. Not only are the backgrounds of a high quality, but you have to think of it as an investment. But, what can they bring you?
For a start, traffic. I mean, direct traffic through the page from people who see the background. But then, also through indirect traffic – I know a few backgrounds that get featured in ‘Top Twitter Background’ lists on popular blogs… they get loads of traffic.
Then there’s sales. If you use your background to promote a product, then it can convert, as it’s targetted traffic that’s going to your page. There’s then the branding bonuses, the personal feel you can get which makes you more approachable, thus building relationships.
As that cheesy advert says, the possibilities are endless
It can be helpful to have a custom Twitter background, to make your profile more recognizable.
I use a custom background, but it is quite simple and just matches the background at my site. I might decide to add some information to it sometime.
Eric B.´s last blog ..6 Tips for Basic Web Accessibility
Yes, having a custom twitter background can differentiate us from other twitterers..
How about my twitter backgorund? http://twitter.com/eenrockstar
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Really good post this and one that people still don’t listen too.
It’s beyond easy to change your twitter background even if you just load a picture of yourself, also changing your twitter profile picture is again great advice.
Simple but effective, loving your work
I agree I changed my bg and the results were instant
probably 25% more visitors and followers with a new catchy bg
It depends on your industry
if you have a good wholesome topic you can use twitter with a great deal of success
other topics it might harder to do
I suggest a logo with a bright color on the background. And I agree with Cindy, it depends on the industry…
Thanks for the Tip Simon.
Jp Manching
Jp Manching @ Beginners Blogging Guide´s last blog ..No Commentator? Then be the Commentator
Yeah, it definately does depend.
Featuring your logo is very important for branding purposes. It’s what people will remember you by mostly, so you need to make sure it’s in as many places as possible! (For instance, I use mine for my gravatar when commenting, my avatar when posting on forums, on guest posts, on my Twitter background… everywhere I can!)
Yeah the backgrounds twitter provided are really boring then should we hire paid professionals to get a custom twitter background .
even i was not aware of it and recently i have customized it
its really cool and defines the style as well as we can write more than 100 characters in About Me
Ajinkya´s last blog ..New Year 2010 funny trick
Standard backgrounds suck. I’m working on customizing mine now.
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