5 Colour Tips for Website Design

Tip 2: Contrast is Key

Colour contrast appears more intensely on screen than in printed matter so utilising it correctly is essential for visual success. Complementary colours, those which are opposite on the colour wheel, can work well together as they intensify each other when placed side by side. For typography however a different kind of contrast is required for optimum legibility, the most important factor for creating a website. Using pure hues can be too harsh on the eye, especially at smaller point sizes, so these should be kept for bigger titles to add distinction whereas neutral tones saved for the body type.

Tip 3: Branding

Make sure you consider brand guidelines and devise a colour scheme to enhance the company colours. Tints, shades and tones of the main hues can create versatile and exciting colour palettes.

Tip 4: Going global?

Where do your existing and prospective customers live? Which market are you targeting? There are plenty of cultural considerations to factor in when choosing colours due to the symbolism of varying colours throughout different parts of the world. For example in the East white symbolises mourning whereas in the West white is for weddings and purity.

Tip 5: Consider colour psychology

Visitors to your website make subconscious opinions of your brand the moment they land on the homepage. The colours used are the first thing they see which triggers their subconscious response to that particular colour scheme. Colours are psychological and all have inherent associations. Green is for the environment. Pink is feminine. Blue is for corporate and calming. Here are more examples of websites and their commonly perceived colour connotations:

Blue

Success, serious, calmness, power