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All good websites have graphic designs on them. Yours should too. You might think that you have to have Photoshop in order to create decent graphics, but that is not true. You can use other programs to design similar ones. They may not have as many options, but when you are just beginning, you do not need that many. When your online business grows, you can invest that cash into the program and you will be able to jazz up your images with it.

To get you started, here are some steps you can take.

1. Choose a program.

You can use GIMP, which is a free image editing program. Or you can use Photoshop, or Photoshop Elements. And there are many other options out there too. But whatever program you choose, make sure it has the ability to edit image files.

2. What is your inspiration?

Think about what you want your final graphic to express. Do you want it to impress upon visitors that you are professional? Or do you want it to convey trustworthiness? Whatever your intentions, it is important for your graphics to match. Color can change people’s moods and subconscious feelings towards you.

3. Design it.

Now that you have your chosen direction, design it. Use the appropriate font for a cohesive message. There are tons of font faces you can use to give it just the right feeling. Collage photos to merge them together. Soften the edges so they blend into each other. You want the pieces to look like they belong. Choose your colors wisely. Choose your words wisely as well. A few choice words can make a world of difference.

4. Save it.

Don’t forget to save every now and then just in case of computer malfunction. When you are working on the file, you will want to save in the program’s native format. This is usually lossless. The JPG format is actually lossy which means that every time you edit and save, you lose a little bit of information. Once you are done working on it and are ready to use it, then that is when you save as JPG for upload and use.

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Making your own graphic design header is super easy with The Design Dashboard which is your all-in-one tool to create a website that works.