The Search for Icons & Icon Engines

Pete Prestipino
by Pete Prestipino 09 Oct, 2009
The Search for Icons & Icon Engines

Icon Search and Icon EnginesIf you're reading this you probably own a website. And if you've got a website, at some time or another, you have had a need for an icon. Fortunately, there are thousands of icons freely available on the Web and even some resources (icon engines) to help you find the perfect one for your Web design needs. More on that in a moment.

What sparked the idea for this post was that hosting company FatCow just launched a library of 1000 free web icons; including some for RSS feeds, iPod, Twitter and emotion options, and a variety of application commands. The set offers both 16 and 32 pixel versions of each icon which can be used for design applications, custom templates and personal use. Additional versions, suitable for desktop and Photoshop use will soon be offered on the site in the appropriate formats. All icons are available under a Creative Commons 3.0 License so you can use them (with proper attribution of course) for personal and commercial purposes.

While the FatCow Icons are great (I reviewed those available and they do look great) know that there are also icon search engines which can make short work of finding that perfect icon for your Web masterpiece. Some of the best icon engines include IconFinder.net, VeryIcon.com, IconLet.com, IconLook.com, and IconSeeker.com.

Do you design your own icons? If not where do you find these essential design elements? Comment below and share with other Website Magazine readers.

Pete Prestipino
Pete Prestipino
Digital marketing executive with proven experience in all aspects of search engine optimization (SEO), performance-based advertising, consumer-generated/social media, email marketing, lead generation, Web design, usability, and analytics. - 20-year Internet marketing veteran, currently serving as the Digital Marketing Campaign Manager at Antenna Group (formerly Chicago Digital). - Former Editor-In-Chief of Website Magazine, and a regular speaker on Web technology digital marketing strategy - Author of several books on digital marketing Including Web 360: The Fundamentals of Web Success; Affiliate 360: The Fundamentals of Performance Marketing; Domains 360: The Fundamentals of Buying & Selling Domain Names, and SEO 360: The Fundamentals of Search Engine Optimization.