If you spend any time on the Internet, you’ve probably noticed that pictures often appear in small preview versions called thumbnails. But what are these miniature images, and how do they work? Why do you need them?
This blog post explains everything you need to know about these cute images. It also shares one cool trick to create one without the hassle: a free online video creator.
What Is a Thumbnail?
Thumbnails are small versions of images or videos that usually appear when you search for something online. They give an idea of what the image or video is about before you decide to click on it and watch it. Thumbnails can be used widely across websites, including social media, blogs, and streaming services.
You can create these images in various ways:
1. Resizing the Image
The most common method is resizing the original image, using image editing software such as Photoshop or GIMP. You can also opt for basic photo editing features built into many web browsers.
If you’re using a video, you can freeze or pause the screen and press Print Screen, which will copy the image to your clipboard.
Once you have resized the picture, you can now save it as a separate file, preferably in the JPEG format, to ensure a small file size.
While resizing is an easy and popular technique, it can also be problematic. If the image gets too small, it may not be legible enough, and you’ll end up with a poorly-designed thumbnail. Not all also adapt to screen formats, sizes, or orientations. In turn, this can lead to unpleasant and off-putting visuals.
2. Using a Video Creator Free Online
The next best option is to use a video creator. This is a great solution for creating thumbnails for YouTube videos or other streaming services. It provides the following features:
- Ability to select from a range of templates
- Adjust the size and orientation of your images
- Add custom text or titles
- Crop and resize images for optimal fit
- Edit colors and fonts
- Preview thumbnails before saving them
Using it is quick and easy as well. Usually, the steps include:
- Upload the video you want to create a thumbnail for.
- Select the size and orientation of your thumbnail.
- Choose a template from the library of available ones.
- Customize it with text, colors, fonts, etc.
- Save and download your new thumbnail.
Because you can customize these thumbnails, they are much more attractive than the ones created by resizing.
Creating video thumbnails with an online free video creator is also a great way to make your videos stand out and draw in more viewers. You can be sure that the visuals will look professional, modern, and eye-catching. And all without any technical background or special skills!
But Why Use Video Thumbnails?
If you’re not using video thumbnails, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to increase engagement with your videos. Here are five benefits of video thumbnails that you can’t afford to ignore.
1. Thumbnail Images Are Much More Eye-Catching than Plain-Text Titles
Let’s face it, we’re a pretty visual species. Whether we’re scrolling through a feed of text or skimming a page of search results, our eyes are naturally drawn to images.
And when it comes to online content, that means thumbnail images are much more eye-catching than plain-text titles.
Why?
Well, for one thing, they provide a ready-made preview of the article or video. We can quickly understand what the content is about without having to read a word.
And since we’re often looking for something specific, thumbnails can also help us zero in on the most relevant result.
Think about how much easier it is to find the video you’re looking for when you can see a preview of the thumbnail image.
2. These Small Images Add More Context to Videos
If you’ve ever watched a video without thumbnail images, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only are you left guessing about what the video is about, but you also have no way of knowing how long it is or what kind of quality to expect.
Thumbnail images help to solve these problems by providing a quick preview of the video content.
With thumbnail images:
- You can quickly get an idea of the video and whether it’s worth watching.
- Thumbnail images can give you a sense of the video’s overall quality.
- A well-crafted thumbnail image can distinguish between a widely shared video and one that gathers dust on your YouTube channel.
3. Thumbnails Are Brand Ambassadors
As a small business owner, you understand the importance of branding. It is what sets you apart from your competitors and tells your customers who you are and what you stand for.
But you may not realize that your branding starts long before someone sees your website or hears about your company. In fact, it starts with your thumbnails.
Your thumbnail is the first thing potential customers will see when they find your videos on YouTube or your articles on Facebook. And just like with any other piece of content, you have a split second to make a good impression. That’s why it’s important to ensure your thumbnails are well-designed and on-brand.
Luckily, some easy ways to create branded thumbnails will help you stand out from the crowd.
Create Thumbnails with a Video Creator Online Free
We’re all guilty of judging a book by its cover. The same can be said for videos.
In the online world, competition is fierce, and first impressions matter. You should learn to stand out, and an online video creator free can help you do just that.
With a wide range of templates and customization options, you can create thumbnails that are both eye-catching and reflective of the content of your video. It can help to attract viewers and encourage them to click.