- Rebecca Tomasis
- Jul 10
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Your LinkedIn banner is the first thing visitors see when they land on your profile, and it’s an often-overlooked opportunity to make a strong, lasting impression. Whether you're showcasing your personal brand, representing a business or simply trying to put your best foot forward, a well-designed LinkedIn banner with thoughtful graphic design can speak volumes.
This article will spotlight creative ideas, outline what every effective LinkedIn banner should include, and address common questions to help you design a banner that supports your personal marketing strategy and takes your LinkedIn profile to the next level.
According to Iryna Desmarchelier, Marketing expert, Founder of the Market Lab:
"From the first glance, a LinkedIn company page must captivate and make an impression."
Craft LinkedIn banners that make a lasting impression with our easy-to-edit templates. Designed for professionals, these layouts offer endless customization options, so you can effortlessly align them with your personal brand or business. Update your look in minutes and present yourself with confidence.
17 LinkedIn banner ideas and examples
01. Show your passion at work
A banner showing you in action can communicate your dedication to your craft. Whether it’s a candid shot of you brainstorming in a meeting, enthusiastically working on a project or immersed in your passion, these images can humanize your profile and make your work feel tangible.
Learn how to edit photos effectively to create captivating visuals that enhance your professional profile.
Look for photos that feel genuine, not too posed. A graphic designer might show themselves sketching or editing, while a marketer might use a lively photo from an event. Adding subtle design elements around the image can also make it visually engaging, without overwhelming the simplicity of the shot.
Show off your personal or professional style with this LinkedIn banner template with multiple picture options. It’s a creative way to tell your story and stand out in just one glance.
02. Celebrate accomplishments
Your LinkedIn banner can act as a virtual trophy shelf. Include snapshots or visuals of award ceremonies, certifications or completed projects. This serves as a quick highlight reel of your achievements.
For example, say you’ve won a regional award for your work. Pair an image of the award itself with a subtle overlay of text describing what the award was for. This way, anyone viewing your profile will know you’re accomplished, without needing to dig through the rest of your profile sections.
03. Use visuals to spark curiosity
An eye-catching design or intriguing visual element can make your LinkedIn banner memorable. Try using optical illusions, abstract art or unique photography that reflects your industry or personal brand.
For instance, if your work revolves around innovation, a futuristic design or a creative depiction of ideas coming to life can convey this beautifully. Keep the digital design clean and avoid clutter to make it easier for people to focus on the intriguing details.
Experiment with creative designs like the abstract shapes on this LinkedIn banner template to share your story and reflect your unique style.
04. Add brand elements for recognition
If you represent a company or personal brand, incorporating its logo, colors or tagline can strengthen your professional identity. Consistency in branding reinforces familiarity and showcases professionalism.
For example, a content creator can carry over colors and fonts from their personal website to their LinkedIn banner. Similarly, a small business owner can use their own logo and visuals of their product or service.
Learn more: How to design a logo.
05. Share your mission for connection
If your work revolves around a mission or cause, your LinkedIn banner can reflect this purpose. Use text alongside a clean, visually appealing background to concisely state your mission.
For example, a professional in renewable energy might feature the text, “Building a sustainable future,” alongside an image of a lush green field and wind turbines. This can create a sense of alignment with like-minded individuals and businesses.
06. Highlight special to draw interest
For entrepreneurs and small business owners, your LinkedIn banner can double as a mini-advertisement for your services. Highlight any special promotions, free consultations or exclusive deals directly in your banner.
Use bold typography and minimalistic design to ensure the offer is the focus. For instance, “Get a free 30-minute strategy session this month” could be the perfect call to action.
07. Use words to emphasize your skills
Sometimes, a simple text-based banner can speak volumes. Use clean, bold fonts to emphasize what you’re known for or the value you bring—great for job seekers or those building a personal brand.
Examples could include phrases like “Creative Storytelling Advocate” or “Bringing Data to Life.” Pair this text with a subtle background design that complements the message.
08. Add a call to action
A clear call to action (CTA) communicates exactly how someone can engage with your skills or services. This is especially useful for marketers, freelancers or consultants seeking to generate leads on LinkedIn.
For example, your banner might say, “Looking for a marketing strategist? Let’s connect,” paired with your contact details or a relevant graphic. You could also include a ‘Shop Now’ button, like in this LinkedIn banner template, to attract customers and drive engagement.
09. Feature a skyline or location
If your career is closely tied to a specific city or region, a skyline banner can root your profile in that location. This works well for real estate agents, event organizers or those working in industries tied to local markets.
Select a high-quality image of the skyline, ideally during a visually impactful time of day, like sunrise or twilight. Pair it with your name or tagline to create an elegant and location-specific banner.
10. Include a motivational quote
A well-chosen quote can convey your values, highlight your personality and inspire those viewing your profile. Pair meaningful words with a complementary background image to make the banner feel authentic.
For instance, if you’re in project management, a quote like, “Strategy is the art of execution,” could align with your profession while inspiring viewers. This LinkedIn banner template provides space to spotlight a quote that resonates with your industry values or personal philosophy.
11. Show tools for industry expertise
Feature imagery of tools or equipment directly tied to your work, whether digital or physical. A software engineer might show snippets of code, a writer could use an image of a typewriter or keyboard and a photographer may showcase their camera gear. Tools immediately identify your expertise, building credibility.
12. Highlight team members to emphasize collaboration
Collaboration is often a vital part of professional success. Include a photo or graphic that highlights your team to underscore your role in larger projects and your ability to work well with others.
For instance, feature a well-shot group image of your team alongside a tagline like “Building success together.” This can especially resonate with clients and companies seeking collaborative professionals.
13. Promote your product or service with visuals
For those operating a product-based business, showcasing the product creatively can be extremely impactful. Use professional imagery, lifestyle shots or even dynamic flat-lays to feature what you’re offering.
A coffee brand might show steaming cups paired with beans, while a tech company could display sleek images of their app interface. Ensure the images are high quality to make the product visually appealing. This LinkedIn banner template includes space for images, allowing you to effectively display your products.
14. Showcase testimonials to build trust
Featuring text or visual snippets of customer testimonials and reviews within your banner is an excellent way to communicate trustworthiness and previous successes. Keep the text concise—just a sentence or two that highlights key points—and pair it with a clean design that doesn’t distract from the testimonial itself.
15. Align with seasons for freshness
Rotate your banner periodically to feature seasonal themes. This shows your profile is active and visually interesting for returning visitors.
For example, during the winter holidays, you might add subtle snowflakes or other seasonal elements to your banner. Keep these thematic touches subtle and professional.
16. Offer a behind-the-scenes view
Include imagery of your process, workspace or creative efforts to give your audience a glimpse behind the curtain. A content creator might feature a candid shot of video editing in progress, while a baker might show pastry prep. Transparency builds trust and intrigue.
17. Use bold typography for impact
A simple banner with bold, oversized fonts can make a powerful visual impact. Choose a message that represents your brand, mission or expertise and ensure the typography is clean and easy to read.
Discover what is typography and how it can elevate your brand to make your message stand out.
For example, “Putting ideas into action” could make a perfect banner message for project managers, while “Designing solutions that matter” works for UX designers. This LinkedIn banner template showcases the message with bold typography on a clean, minimal background, ensuring your words stand out.
What your LinkedIn banner should include
An effective LinkedIn banner does more than look appealing; it should also spark interest and reflect your professional persona. Here are the essentials to include.
Contact information
Whether you're job-seeking or networking, a clear display of your name and professional title ensures visitors instantly understand your role. Choose a font that reflects professionalism, without sacrificing readability. Avoid overly stylistic designs that may compromise legibility.
High-quality visuals
Your banner image should be eye-catching and high quality, as it's the first thing visitors will see. Feature an image of yourself, your work, or something that represents your skills—just make sure it’s clear, original, and visually appealing.
Complement your profile picture
Your banner should work cohesively with your profile picture to showcase yourself as a professional. Consider using complementary colors, fonts or styles to create a cohesive look.
Consistency with branding
Make sure your banner aligns with your branding on other platforms, like your website or business cards. This consistency helps build brand recognition and makes it easier for potential clients or employers to recognize you.
How to make a LinkedIn banner in 5 steps
Select a design platform like Wixel, and pick a LinkedIn banner template that fits your vision.
Add your branding elements (logo, colors, fonts).
Choose high-quality images that align with your brand or message.
Use typography to highlight your message and make it easy to read
Save and upload your banner to LinkedIn
LinkedIn banner dimensions
When creating your LinkedIn banner, it's important to keep in mind the recommended dimensions for optimal viewing. According to LinkedIn, the ideal size for a LinkedIn banner is 1584 x 396 pixels. This will ensure your banner looks clear and professional on all devices.
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LinkedIn banner ideas FAQ
How often should I update my LinkedIn banner?
It depends on your goals. If you’ve rebranded, taken on a new role or want to keep your profile looking fresh, consider updating your banner every few months.
Can I create a LinkedIn banner without design software experience?
Absolutely. Tools like Wixel offer user-friendly LinkedIn banner templates that make professional design accessible to everyone. Experiment with variations and tweak as you go—design doesn’t need to be intimidating.
Does a LinkedIn banner affect profile visibility?
While a LinkedIn banner doesn’t directly affect search visibility, it significantly impacts how viewers perceive your profile. A well-thought-out banner can encourage clicks, which indirectly boosts engagement metrics—a part of LinkedIn’s algorithm. It also strengthens personal branding, increasing the likelihood of connections remembering and engaging with your profile.