[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]So, you’re wondering what colours should I use on my website? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Colour choice is likely to be the first thing a user notices about your website.
But, does it really matter if you go for red instead of blue?
In short, yes and it comes down to understanding your customer.
Whilst some people dismiss it due to the lack of scientific evidence to back up every claim, there’s no denying that colour can have a profound effect on people’s buying habits.
According to one study, it takes 90 seconds for someone to make a subconscious judgement about a product. Up to 90% of that assessment is based on the colour alone.
Meanwhile, the same research found that colour increases brand recognition by 80%. It was found that a bad combination of colours often has the same impact on user experience as poor copy or slow page load times.
Colour can persuade or dissuade someone from buying into your business.
What colours should I pick for my brand?
Unfortunately, we can’t tell you in one short blog post which colours are guaranteed to work well for your specific requirement. But, we can outline what some colours mean and how these can emotionally connect with your customers to give you a head start.
Blue.
Possibly one of the most common choices, blue rouses feelings of trust, peace and integrity. It’s a popular colour used by corporations in logos and marketing materials.
Think Facebook, PayPal, LinkedIn, NHS and Twitter.
Red.
On the other hand, red is all about power and passion. It’s often used for bold brands, such as Virgin and Coca-Cola.
Stirring up feelings of excitement and energy, it’s a great colour for vibrant businesses.
Purple.
A rich purple can convey luxury and quality. It’s historically been associated with wealth and royalty.
Cadbury loves purple so much that they actually had claimed the rights to Pantone 2685C in 1995.
However, when used in the wrong way, purple can turn people away from your brand, as it can often be seen as mysterious and frivolous.
Yellow.
Yellow is loud and punchy and a great way to grab your user’s attention when they land on your site.
A lot of brands use it to show that they are fun and friendly.
Despite this, the sunny hue is often sniffed at because it’s also the colour of warning and caution signs.
Our advice would be to use it wisely and in small doses to inject a bit of sunshine into your design.
Green.
Green is always connected with the outdoors and nature. So, if you’re an eco-friendly business, green is a no-brainer.
It also goes well on call to actions as it’s seen as a positive, creative colour.
Orange.
Fun and impulsive orange can have a similar effect to yellow. It’s an active shade that is frequently seen on sports and children’s products.
It’s also a good way to get your reader’s attention without using panic-inducing red. For example, Amazon uses orange on its limited offer banner to create a sense of urgency.
Black.
For a classic and luxurious feel, black is always a great choice.
Black oozes glamour and sophistication and is used by many beauty and fashion companies to emulate exclusivity.
On the other hand, it can also be seen as safe and boring. In example, if you’re a kids’ brand, opt for more light-hearted tones.
Some more tips to get you started with colour:
1. Avoid too many colours.
We’d recommend selecting three or four colours for your web design to avoid it looking messy and inconsistent.
2. Test out your colours.
Ask for feedback from your target audience on the colours you’ve chosen for your website.
3. Check the contrast.
Ensure your website is accessible by all by using Colour Contrast Analyser.
4. Don’t be afraid to stand out.
The above descriptions and colour psychology theories aren’t gospel. Please do play around with colour and have the confidence to be different from your competitors.
Still wondering what colours should I use on my website? Contact us right now and we can give you some more tips bespoke to your requirements.
In the meantime, you may also like our blog post on Do Fonts Really Matter In Web Design?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]