Several business owners choose their company’s website colors according to their personal preferences.
They do not realize that they can utilize the psychology of colors to make a website that can give their customers and visitors a better experience.
In this article, we want to discuss how the psychology of colors affects the user experience, and how business owners can use them to enhance the utility of their company’s website design.
Table of Contents
Color Choices
- Before we discuss the psychology of colors for effective website design, let us first discuss the choice of colors. You must be aware that colors have been broadly divided into three segments called primary, secondary, and tertiary.
- Professional graphic designers have created a color wheel that illustrates the relationship between all three divisions of colors. They use this circle to choose the ideal color combination to create the maximum appeal with a design.
- Studies have shown people prefer color combinations using two or three colors on a webpage. You can use a few different combinations of colors to get the maximum marketing effect.
- Some colors complement each other better because they make each standout. That is why designers often use complementary colors in logos. Complementary colors are found on the opposite ends of a color wheel.
- However, the two colors must not be present in equal amounts. According to professional designers, the ideal ratio for the use of colors for digital marketing is about 7:3.
- Some designers prefer to use three colors instead of two. They select the main color that covers the larger part of the design.
- For the smaller parts, designers use the colors found on either side of the complementary shade. This strategy is often implemented by illustrators when they create campaigns for social media marketing.
- Sometimes designers also choose three colors that are located in three equidistant parts of the wheel while they create a website.
Color Psychology
Now that you understand how professionals design a website using color combinations, we are going to talk about how they pick the main color.
Colors are personal, so you must have a say in which one they choose to design your company’s website.
However, for that, you must be aware of the psychological attributes that each color invokes.
It will help you to select one that matches your business goals and creates a responsive design for the website.
Red
- Red excites people and enhances their enthusiasm. It also associates with movement, which is why red is often used for websites that showcase vehicles or speed.
- Red also creates a sense of urgency, making it ideal for websites of medical companies. Fast-food restaurants often use red because it is known to increase appetite.
Orange
- Orange is often associated with power and fun, which also makes it ideal for motorcycle brands. The color is said to motivate people.
- But designers must use it with caution because overuse of orange can invoke caution in people, which might be counterproductive to the company’s marketing strategies.
Yellow
- People often associate yellow with fun because most babies see it as the first color. That is why companies that make toys and games often use yellow.
- But just like orange, yellow can also mean caution. So designers must use yellow in moderation, especially on the landing page.
Green
- Green is the color that signifies the natural environment, and it is also said to reduce stress and promote health.
- Sometimes, green is also associated with money and wealth. But designers must use green intelligently for money related websites, as people may construe it to be a materialistic color.
Blue
- Blue is another color associated with nature through a lot of brands. It is also used by several companies that make lifestyle products for men.
Purple
- Purple often associate with imagination and spirituality. That is why brands associated with the mystic arts often use purple on their websites.
- The color has also affiliated with royalty, which makes it ideal to advertise luxurious products.
Pink
- Pink is the universal color for feminine products for ages. It also used by companies that make baby
products because of pink associates with maternal feelings. - However, pink has faced criticism for gender stereotyping, so designers must use the color sparingly and intelligently.
Brown
- Brown is one of the least colors for website designs unless the website is about coffee. However, designers can use brown sparingly to convey security and warmth.
Black
- Black is one of the favorite colors for business owners to use in their logo or website. The color associates with sophistication and class when used cleverly.
- But too much black can also put off some customers, as it signifies death.
White
- White commonly used by designers to create contrast or balance with other colors. It also makes an ideal background color for dark text. But too much white on a website can feel boring and isolated to the user.
- If a business owner does not choose the right colors for the brand, it can result in loss of leads and sales.
- The use of wrong colors can render search engine optimization and other digital marketing efforts less effective in generating revenues.
- Therefore, business owners must understand the psychology of colors to choose the right ones for their organization’s website.