Custom Hetzner Referral Graphics: How to Create & Use Them

If you’re part of the Hetzner referral program, you already know the core benefit: share your unique link, and earn €20 in Hetzner Cloud credits every time someone signs up for a new Cloud instance via your URL. But here’s the common pitfall: most creators rely on the default, plain referral banners Hetzner provides in their affiliate dashboard. These generic assets blend into the background of tech blogs, forum posts, and social media feeds, leading to lackluster click-through rates.

That’s where custom Hetzner referral graphics come in. Tailored to your brand, your audience, and the specific perks your followers care about, these custom assets can drive 2-3x more signups than default banners. In this guide, you’ll learn how to design, optimize, and deploy custom Hetzner referral graphics that actually convert — no advanced design skills required.

Why Bother With Custom Hetzner Referral Graphics?

Default Hetzner referral assets are designed to work for everyone, which means they rarely resonate with niche audiences. Custom graphics solve this problem, with four key benefits:

• Niche targeting: Highlight the perks your audience cares about most. For example, if your followers are indie game devs, emphasize Hetzner’s low-latency European data centers. For small business owners, focus on affordable VPS pricing.
• Brand trust: Branded graphics that match your blog or social media aesthetic are 2x more likely to be clicked than generic third-party ads, as users recognize and trust your content.
• A/B testability: You can create multiple versions of your custom graphics (e.g., one highlighting free credit, another highlighting server performance) to see which drives the most signups.
• Stand out from competitors: Most creators use default banners, so custom graphics make your referral offers more noticeable in crowded feeds.

Key Elements of High-Converting Hetzner Referral Graphics

Not all custom graphics are created equal. To drive signups, your assets need to include these core elements:

Clear, Bold Value Proposition

The #1 reason users click Hetzner referral links is the €20 free credit for new signups. Make this the focal point of your graphic: use large, high-contrast text (e.g., white font on Hetzner’s brand blue background) to display the offer prominently. Avoid burying the offer in small text or cluttered designs.

Clear Call to Action (CTA)

Since images can’t hold clickable links, your graphic needs to tell users exactly what to do next. Add a button-like element with text like “Claim Your €20 Free Credit” or “Sign Up for Hetzner Cloud” to direct users to click the referral link in your accompanying post or caption.

Optional QR Code for Mobile Users

Over 60% of social media traffic comes from mobile devices. Add a small QR code linked to your unique referral URL in the corner of your graphic — mobile users can scan it instantly to claim their credit, no copy-pasting required.

Brand Consistency

Match your graphic’s colors, fonts, and style to your existing brand. If your blog uses a dark, minimalist aesthetic, avoid bright, cluttered designs that will look out of place in your content. Adding your logo in a corner (small, unobtrusive) also builds brand recognition.

Mobile-Friendly Sizing

Design graphics in standard dimensions to ensure they display correctly across all devices: 1200x630px for Facebook/Twitter, 1080x1080px for Instagram, 728x90px for blog leaderboard banners, and 300x250px for sidebar ads. Test all designs on a mobile device to confirm text is readable on small screens.

Step-by-Step: How to Create Custom Hetzner Referral Graphics

You don’t need to be a professional designer to create high-converting assets. Follow these simple steps using free tools like Canva or Figma:

1. Review Hetzner’s brand guidelines: Before you start designing, check Hetzner’s official brand guidelines page to ensure you’re using their logo, colors, and assets correctly. Avoid distorting the Hetzner logo or making false claims about the referral offer.
2. Choose your design tool: Canva is the most beginner-friendly option, with free templates for referral banners. Figma is better for advanced users who want more customization.
3. Set custom dimensions: Select the size that matches your intended use case (e.g., 1200x630px for social media).
4. Add your value proposition: Insert large, bold text highlighting the €20 free credit offer. Use Hetzner’s official brand colors (available in their style guide) for consistency.
5. Add your CTA and optional QR code: Insert your button-style CTA text, and add a QR code linked to your unique referral link if desired.
6. Export and test: Export your graphic as a PNG for sharp text, or JPG for smaller file sizes. Test it on mobile and desktop to confirm readability.

Where to Use Your Custom Hetzner Referral Graphics

Once your graphics are ready, deploy them in high-traffic, relevant spaces:

• Blog posts: Insert graphics in tutorials about self-hosting, VPS setup, or cloud computing. For example, add a custom banner at the end of a guide to setting up a Nextcloud instance on Hetzner.
• Social media: Post graphics on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Pair with a caption that includes your unique referral link.
• Forum signatures: Add your graphic to your signature on tech forums like r/selfhosted or r/webdev (always check forum rules first to avoid spam flags).
• Email newsletters: Include graphics in your weekly tech newsletter if you have an email list.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these pitfalls to keep your referral account in good standing and maximize conversions:

• Don’t make false claims: Only promote the official €20 credit offer — exaggerating perks (e.g., claiming “€50 free credit”) violates Hetzner’s terms and can get your account banned.
• Don’t use low-resolution images: Blurry, pixelated graphics look untrustworthy and will drive users away.
• Don’t forget to include your referral link: The graphic itself can’t hold a clickable link, so always include your unique URL in the post or caption text.
• Don’t overclutter designs: Keep graphics simple, with 1-2 core messages max. Cluttered designs confuse users and lower click-through rates.

FAQ: Custom Hetzner Referral Graphics

Can I use Hetzner’s logo in my custom referral graphics?

Yes, as long as you follow Hetzner’s official brand guidelines. Avoid distorting the logo, changing its colors, or using it in a way that implies Hetzner endorses your personal brand directly.

Do custom Hetzner referral graphics really drive more signups?

Yes — creators in the self-hosting niche report custom graphics drive 2-3x more clicks than default Hetzner banners, as they’re tailored to specific audience needs.

What’s the best size for Hetzner referral graphics?

For blog use, 728x90px (leaderboard) or 300x250px (medium rectangle) work best. For social media, use 1200x630px for Twitter/Facebook and 1080x1080px for Instagram.

Can I resell custom Hetzner referral graphics to other creators?

No — Hetzner’s referral program terms prohibit selling or brokering referral links or related assets. Only use custom graphics for your own personal referral efforts.

Ready to Boost Your Hetzner Referral Earnings?

Custom Hetzner referral graphics are a low-effort, high-impact way to increase signups and earn more cloud credits. Start with a simple design using Canva, test it with your audience, and iterate based on what works.

Have you created custom Hetzner referral graphics already? Drop a link to your design in the comments — we’d love to see your work! For more tips on growing your referral income, check out our related guides: [Maximizing Your Hetzner Referral Program Earnings] (internal link 1) and [How to Set Up Your First Hetzner Cloud VPS] (internal link 2).