5 Tips To Choose The Right Color Scheme For Your Website

Picking the wrong color combination for your website can affect your credibility negatively or even affect the way the customer sees you. For example, you may think you are designing for impact yet end up with an aggressive and closed effect that will convey the opposite of what you desire. So, before you go ahead and choose the colors, check out these 5 tips to choose the right color scheme for your website. The good thing is that these rules are easy and will give you what you are looking for without getting a headache.

Color Tip #1: Simple Does It

One of the basic rules when developing a site is to choose a few basic colors and work with them to bring out the effect you want. In fact, having more than 5 colors is way too much for you. This is because your visitors will get confused with the many colors, making it hard for them to get the information they desire easily. Additionally, you should use colors that are common to everyone. Start with the primary colors before adding others. This is why it is a good idea for you to utilize the browser-safe palette.

The good news is that this palette comes integrated in the common graphic design software on the market. You need to understand that many devices have come up that display different colors clearly. However, there are some that only display the basic colors and may not do so when you use very many colors. With the internet going mobile, simplicity is your best bet to achieve what you want.

Color Tip #2: Use Your Brand Colors for Direction

If you are spoilt for choice, one of the best sources that you can use to get an idea of the colors to go with is your company logo - only if it has been designed by professionals. You may decide to use the colors that have been used in the logo or add others that are complementary to what has been used. Your design needs to maintain the identity of the business at all times, which requires that you do not stray too far from the color scheme of your logo. This will help keep the identity of your company consistent.

Color Tip #3: Choose According to the Mood You Desire to Communicate

Powerful color psychology cues are triggered when we view different colors. Different colors exude different moods when used. One way that you can decide on a color is to decide on which mood you want to evoke. Some of the colors and the moods are listed below:

Red : passion, aggressiveness, vitality, strength.

Green : freshness, health, tranquility.

White : truthfulness, purity, refined.

Blue : security, dignity, faithfulness, authority.

Orange : cheerfulness, fun, warmth.

Black : boldness, distinctiveness, seriousness.

Gray : authority, practicality, somber, corporate mentality.

Depending on what your blog/site is all about, you need to choose wisely because the dominant color is what will communicate your mood to your customers.



infographic by: Webpagefx

Color Tip #4: Understand what Your Competitor is using

One thing that customers hate is getting the same color scheme like the one displayed on another company offering the same products or services. Make sure you do not duplicate colors because no one will know the difference. It would also be very embarrassing if you are the one copying the colors on another website. This is why it is vital that you take time and check out what your competitors are using on their websites. Always try to be as unique as possible for you to be recognized by your visitors. Duplicating colors may reach the extreme in such a way that you get sued for copyright infringement. However, you still have to make sure that the color you choose fits in with your industry as well as complementing your brand fully.

Color Tip #5: Consider the Content that Will Go on the Site

Part of the content that you will post on the site includes text, images, and video. You need to be able to provide a background and colors that will work well with this content. The color you choose needs to make it easy for your visitors to see the videos and pictures as well as read the text easily. To achieve this, avoid heavily textured backgrounds such as variegated, marble, stripe or burlap. Anything that is in conflict with the content needs to be eliminated.

You should not go into designing of your website blindly, because you may end up affecting your business image without knowing. Follow these simple tips to help deliver the layout and design that will make your customer come back to the site.

Top images by: flickr