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Paul Dunahoo
5,390 PointsShare Buttons
I have a question about what I should do when adding share buttons to a site such as my blog (which is currently under construction). The default share buttons for each social service have the benefit of being recognizable, and the benefit of being really easy to add to a site. However, the style of these buttons for each social network can vary.
I could also use my own custom (and preferably SVG) buttons for each social network. the advantage on this is a more consistant style, and I know it will look good. Unfortunately, users may (or may not) have a harder time figuring out what each button is for.
Which path would you recommend I go?
3 Answers
John Locke
9,450 PointsIf your users cannot figure out what the buttons are for, then the buttons need to be replaced. Most of the major buttons and their logos are pretty recognizable, so if you forgo using the colors, and just use grayscale, do little to tamper with the typography or logos.
If you worry about usability, err on the side of caution, and you can always showcase custom buttons in your portfolio or as link-bait (as a giveaway).
Whatever icon set you decide on using, simply make sure that the buttons fit the design of your site, and each other.
samiff
31,206 PointsYou're basically asking if you should skew more towards aesthetics or recognition, but you need to be thinking with more context in mind. Those buttons aren't there because they look pretty, they are for end users to engage with (hopefully). With that in mind, if a user utilizes any one of those services to a degree that they would feel comfortable engaging with from within your site, then the brand recognition should be strong enough to weather visual design shifts.
James Barnett
39,199 PointsThere's a blog post for that.
Personally my favorite design are social media buttons that are a square grayscale version which change to the brand colors on mouse over.