Choosing the Appropriate Colors for Your
Website
by Joanne Glasspoole
When you begin the
design of your Web
site, one of the
first things you
need to do is decide
on a color scheme.
Although choosing
colors seems like a
relatively easy
proposition, it's
not easy at all. In
fact, it's hard.
One of the pluses we
have as Web
designers is that
millions of colors
are at our disposal.
Unlike the print
world, we do not
have to pay for each
color we use. If we
want to use a
specific hue of
yellow, for example,
all we need to know
is the hexadecimal
code for that
particular color.
One of the pitfalls
of having millions
of colors to pick
from is that some
people go crazy and
use every color
imaginable on their
Web site. This is a
big no-no. Not only
does it look
unprofessional to
use 20 different
colors on your home
page, but depending
on the colors you
choose, your page
may not be readable.
It is extremely
important to pick
hues that complement
each other. You will
want to use a
background color
that contrasts well
with the color of
your text. People
are used to reading
black text on a
white background. I
keep this fact in
mind when I design
my clients' Web
sites. Although I
have never stuck
with the black and
white color scheme,
I try to use a dark
font on a light
background. It makes
for easier reading
and a more pleasant
experience for my
visitors.
Color affects our
emotions. For
example, the color
red makes us hungry.
If you're on a diet,
it wouldn't be a
good idea to set
your table with a
red tablecloth!
Colors like blue and
green are cool. Have
you noticed in the
summertime how
sitting in a blue
room automatically
makes you feel
refreshed?
Yellow is a
wonderful
brightener. It is
cheerful and warm --
like the sun.
When using colors on
your Web site, you
need to consider the
mood you want to
create and the
audience you are
designing for.
If you are designing
a Web site for
children, red is an
excellent color
choice, because it
attracts the eye and
stimulates our
metabolism. Red is
cheerful and
exuberant.
Blue is an excellent
choice for a
business site
because it exudes
professionalism,
wealth and power.
If you are designing
a Web site for a
nature group, greens
and browns are
natural choices
because they are
colors that are
commonly found in
the outdoors.
Another important
consideration when
choosing color
schemes is cultural
differences. For
example, black is
the color most
commonly associated
with mourning in the
United States, but
in Japan, white
symbolizes sorrow.
In Malaysia, green
is associated with
disease, and red
symbolizes anger in
Indonesia. As you
can see by just
these three
examples, color is
interpreted quite
differently
depending on the
country. You must be
careful if you don't
want to insult your
visitors.
Choosing an
appropriate color
scheme for your Web
site is extremely
important. Your
color scheme must be
carefully considered
because the wrong
choices could
adversely affect
your visitor's
experience at your
Web site. You only
have one chance to
make a good
impression. Don't
blow it!
About The Author
Joanne Glasspoole is
a Webmaster and
freelance Web
designer. Visit her
Web site for
Internet and
technology news,
insightful articles,
and links to
excellent Webmaster
resources to help
you grow your online
business.
http://www.glasspoole.com
Here are some links
that may help you
out...
Previous Newsletters
http://www.2createawebsite.com/newsletters
Everything You Need
to Know to Begin
Your Site
http://www.2createawebsite.com/newsletters/issue2.html
The Definitive
Source for Creating
a Web Site That
Sells!
http://myss.sitesell.com/getting_sales.html
|
