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How to Choose the Perfect Icons for Your Website Design


Icons are more than decoration—they are functional design tools that guide users, simplify navigation, and improve the overall user experience. Choosing the right icons enhances clarity and contributes to a professional, polished site.


At 10com Web Development, we understand the importance of every visual element. Let’s explore how to pick and place icons that elevate your web design.


Why Icons Matter in Modern Web Design

Icons serve as visual shorthand for actions, links, or sections of your website. Instead of relying on long descriptions, well-chosen icons make user interaction intuitive.


They also:

  • Improve accessibility

  • Add visual interest

  • Reinforce branding

  • Support responsive design and mobile usability


A consistent icon style across your site enhances credibility—especially for small businesses looking to establish a strong online presence.


Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Website Icons


Not all icons are created equal. When selecting icons for your site, keep these five core principles in mind:


1. Relevance

Ensure every icon aligns with its function. A trash can should indicate delete. A phone should link to contact info.


2. Consistency

Stick to a single icon set or design style. Mismatched icons make your site look unprofessional.


3. Simplicity

Avoid clutter. Simple icons are easier to recognize, especially on mobile devices.


4. Scalability

Choose vector formats like SVG so your icons remain sharp on all screen sizes—from smartphones to desktops.


5. Color and Contrast

Icons should match your brand color palette but remain legible against your background. High contrast is essential for accessibility.


Explore additional guidance in our post on creating a memorable brand image through web design.


Best Practices for Icon Placement and Use


Where and how you place icons affects usability. Here's how to do it right:

  • Position Icons Near Text: For clarity, pair icons with related labels or calls to action.

  • Keep Positioning Consistent: For example, keep social icons in the same header or footer locations on every page.

  • Use Tooltips for Clarity: Hover effects or popups can explain icon functions.

  • Indicate Interactivity: Use hover states or animations to show clickable icons.

  • Test with Real Users: Run feedback sessions to confirm usability.


Following these principles enhances the user journey and supports a professional website design that performs well.


Top Tools and Resources to Find Quality Icons


Here are 5 platforms for sourcing top-tier icons for your web project:

Great for filtering by style, license type, and format.

Massive selection of free and premium icons with download options for PNG, SVG, and EPS.

Ideal for web developers—scalable, customizable, and easy to embed via CSS.

Thousands of unique, community-designed icons with a global perspective.

Perfect for drag-and-drop customization and quick design exports.


Pair your icons with a Wix website and take full advantage of these tools' flexibility and scalability.

Final Thoughts on Using Icons Effectively

Smart icon design is all about clarity, consistency, and connection. By making thoughtful decisions about relevance, placement, and appearance, you can significantly enhance your site's usability.


When icons are done right, they:

✅ Improve interaction

✅ Reinforce branding

✅ Streamline navigation

✅ Support user retention


Need Professional Help? Work with 10com

At 10com Web Development, we create websites that look great and perform even better—right down to the icons. Whether you’re building from scratch or reselling via our white label web design reseller program, our team will ensure every element aligns with your brand.


We're the #1 Wix Partner globally, helping brands across Chicago, Fort Worth, and beyond.


📲 Follow us on TikTok for creative tips, case studies, and behind-the-scenes insights.


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