Your accounting website is very much a visual medium.

If you have ever used Adobe Photoshop this image editor is likely one of the closest in functionality to it.

Perhaps you need some changes to your CPA firm's business cards? An interesting advertisement for your new location? Or if you merely want to knock together some fun family photos? Try using pixlr.

Because Pixlr is all online it has some serious advantages. You'll be able to work anywhere you have access to the internet. Also because you don't need to download any software so nothing to upgrade over time, all of it is taken care of for you.

Full Tutorials

There is both a tutorial section on how to do some specialized tasks or a help section on how to work with different parts. Because the functionality of this program is so much like Photoshop if you have ever used Photoshop you won't need these. Otherwise they are a great introduction to the different parts, how to use them and then how they can come together to create some interesting effects.

Other Fun Stuff

There is a blog post on how to add a Christmas hat to your favorite mug shot. As well there is an add-on for both Firefox and Internet Explorer to edit any webpage via a screen shot directly in the browser.

Basic Version

There is a very basic version for quick edits or if you prefer there are many advanced features. This can be especially helpful if you want to adjust the size of an image so that it can be used of your CPA website. Other basic functions include red-eye removal, teeth whitening, sharpen, blur, auto levels (VERY handy if you have a photo that's too dark or otherwise poorly exposed) and much more. The basic, or "express", version also offers a variety of simple but fun photo effects.

Advanced Features

One of the most advanced features of Pixlr is it's ability to work in "layers". Working in layers adds a lot of power to your ability to create and manipulate images. The full version of Pixlr also has a number of built in filters that will allow you to apply effects to your image like adding noise or swirls. Layer styles include shadows, beveling, and glow.

Pixlr doesn't support channels and paths, so it's not quite a professional grade image editor, but it's pretty darned close!

Getting Pixlr

All you need to do to use Pixlr is go to www.pixlr.com. It's really that simple. Any web browser that supports flash will be able to run pixlr. This includes all the major browsers; Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Flash 10 runs best, but older versions of flash are also supported as long as you don't mind uploading your images to the Pixlr site while working on them.

Bookmark Pixlr

Bookmark the site as one of your favorites to make it easier to come back to and use. That way when you want to use it in a couple of months to help create a quick advertisement for your CPA seminar there it is for you.

Having this on your favorites could never hurt you never know when you are going to need to edit some images. Now you have one the next time you are thinking about changing anything including pictures on your accounting website hosted by CPA Site Solutions.

Brian O'Connell is the CEO and founder of CPA Site Solutions, one of the country's leading web design firms dedicated exclusively to websites for accountants. His company presently provides websites for more than 4000 CPA, accounting, and bookkeeping firms.