I’ve paid money for fancy photo software, but the truth is I often just use free online photo software. Fotor.com has been one of my favorites for a while, so I was happy when they recently added a new graphic design feature.
They have many templates to choose from for easy projects: Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Youtube covers, posters, cards, and also Instagram and Facebook posts. The last time I updated my Facebook cover for our Wag ‘n Woof Pets page, I had to update it several times to get it right. So that’s the first thing I wanted to try with the new Fotor feature; a new Facebook cover for my personal page. I’ve been taking lots of photos with my new camera, so I was excited to be able to use some of those and see what I could come up with! I knew just what I wanted to do, and Fotor made it easy to do just that.
By using Fotor’s template you get the exact size and setup you need for each social media cover photo. You can use one of their templates with a design already in there, or you can just start with a blank canvas. I used one of their templates to start, but it was easy to modify it and make it into what I wanted. I downloaded my own photos and at first had trouble switching them out. But they have a short video tutorial (which you can access right on the design page) and after I watched that it was easy. It was simple to change out the text they had to what I wanted, and modify the fonts, colors, and arrangement.
The feature I really liked the best is that you can “preview” your design to see how it’s going to look on your computer. That really helped me get the arrangement right. I had so much fun with this, that I also did new headers for my Twitter and Google+ pages! For the Twitter I just used a blank canvas and added my photos, text, and chose one of their backgrounds. They have several backgrounds to choose from, and you can also select any color instead. I had trouble getting the Twitter one to fit right on my page, but that was not Fotor’s fault, the size they give you to start with is the size Twitter recommends. At least with Twitter you can change it without having to post it each time like on Facebook (the last time I did my Facebook one, using a different software, it posted it every time and I couldn’t get it to fit right, without words covering some of my photos or text – very annoying!).
I also wanted to see how the cards and posters worked, and I was able to make this simple birthday card in about 5 minutes! I don’t usually have time to make cards to send to online friends for their occasions, but using this I think I could definitely do it more often.
One other feature that I use a lot on Fotor is their collage maker. That is what I used to make the “crew” sidebar collage for the blog, and that you see included in the headers above. Again, they have many templates to choose from, and the process is simple. They also have photo effects to choose from, as well as frames.
If you like to edit your photos, and make cards or new headers for your social media pages, give Fotor a try! Did I mention it’s FREE? You can’t beat that! They also have a mobile version; it is available on Android and iOS.
*Disclaimer: We were compensated to help spread the word about Fotor.com’s new design feature. However, we only share products we believe will be of interest to our readers, and all opinions are our own and honest.
Sounds like something I could spend hours playing around with – thanks for the tip!
Very nice pictures. I used to use fotor all of the time and then one day it just would not work on my computer so I gave up.
When they added the design feature, they updated everything, so maybe it would work better now?
I’ll have to check it out. I usually use PicMonkey.
I have this on my computer but don’t use it because I just never started so I go back and use my same o same o that I am used to. After seeing this I am going to try it out more. Thanks.
Sometimes it is far easier to just go with what you’re familiar with. I bought Photoshop Elements and don’t use that nearly as much because I haven’t figured out how it works yet (I don’t have the time or patience for learning new things sometimes!).
I have to be honest here. I used to use Fotor all the time. Then it stopped working for some reason. I was able to get in, but it wouldnt let me open any photos. I contacted Fotor, they asked me what browser I use, so I replied, and never heard from the again 🙁
BTW – I love your creations!!!!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Thanks! I wasn’t completely happy with my Twitter one, but I only had so much time to play with it!
Sorry Fotor didn’t work for you, I’ve never had any issues with it (and I have had issues with PicMonkey at times). Maybe since they’ve updated it might work better, but it seems like they could have at least replied to your asking for help!
I use Fotor in addition to a few other sites. I mostly use Fotor for Instagram…I like it because it is the only app (that I know of), that offers you the chance to add text on Instagram.
I’m still pretty new to Instagram and haven’t used any mobile apps yet. But this is good to know because it sounds easier than how I do it; which is to edit it on my computer and then send it to my phone for Instagram.
We like fotor too! Great review!
We need to check out fotor! Thanks for reminding us. 🙂
I used Fotor for a long time because I didn’t have luck with PicMonkey. I finally gave up on it because of Flash incompatibility and not enough features. But it sounds like they’ve made improvements which were needed.
Their whole website is redone and updated so hopefully it all works better now!
I love your new headers. We will definitely check fotor out!
I used to use Fotor a LOT, then I had some trouble accessing it so I went looking and found Ribbet.com I like them an awful lot and find them much easier to figure out what I want to do. LOL
I will check out the new feature at Fotor though, I’m always on the hunt.
Mom uses PhotoShop for all the basic edits, but she alternates with picmonkey and fotor for words, labels, etc. Both have good and bad points, so with all three, we are in business!
I also use all three of those, you are right that each one has some different features and I don’t think any one of them does everything! I think PicMonkey has the better fonts and I usually go there when I’m looking for certain ones that I like.