The power of palette: Why is colour scheme important for a website design?
Here at Vooba, our talented web design team understands the transformative power of colour and its impact on user engagement.
In this blog, we will look at how to choose the best colour scheme for your website, with our top considerations to help you get it right.
Consistent branding
To promote recognition, it is crucial that you align the colour themes for website design with any existing branding and established identity.
Consistent and cohesive colour usage across all brand materials will foster brand recognition.
User experience
Our web design team are all about the user experience - or UX.
In this context, UX promotes inclusivity for all web users by prioritising clarity and legibility. Any design choices should consider a range of users, including those with visual impairments. This encompasses font style and colour, as well as the best background colour for website readability. We also consider colour contrast ratios and how they affect accessibility compliance while still maintaining stylistic appeal.
The psychology of colour
We’re all aware of the impact of colour during our day-to-day decisions, whether it’s painting your home, choosing clothes or selecting the colour of your car. But have you given much thought to the psychology of different colours and how they can evoke specific emotions and perceptions in design?
In the Western world, colours are commonly associated with certain emotions, including:
- White. White is used to evoke purity and cleanliness.
- Black. Black can be associated with elegance or sophistication but it also symbolises mourning and death.
- Red. Red is often associated with intense emotions, such as passion and love. It can also evoke feelings of energy, power and action. Red is often linked with excitement or urgency.
- Blue. Blue evokes feelings of calmness, tranquillity and relaxation. It can also be associated with professionalism, trust and reliability which is why it is often used in a healthcare setting.
- Yellow. Yellow can be linked to sunny feelings of happiness, joy and optimism. Yellow may also be associated with energy, enthusiasm and creativity.
- Orange. Close to yellow on the colour wheel, orange can also be associated with energy, enthusiasm, warmth and spontaneity.
- Green. Associated with nature, green can portray growth, renewal and freshness. It can also create a sense of wholesome balance and nurturing.
- Purple. Historically, purple has been associated with royalty and therefore wealth and luxury. However, purple is also associated with spirituality and magic.
- Pink. Pink has traditionally been used to evoke sweetness, femininity and romance. It can create a sense of intimacy and warmth.
- Brown. Brown can be associated with being grounded and stable, leading to feelings of reliability, comfort and authenticity.
In addition to broad colour perceptions, certain demographics may interpret colour differently. Harnessing colour psychology can significantly influence user behaviour and engagement on a website.
Cultural differences
Culture can influence colour perception and international businesses should consider cultural sensitivities when choosing the best colour palette for website design.
Cultural differences in colour symbolism and interpretation:
- White. In many Eastern cultures - such as China and Japan - white is associated with mourning, funerals and the afterlife.
- Red. In Eastern cultures - particularly in China - red symbolises good fortune and joy. Red is frequently used in celebrations, from weddings to the Lunar New Year.
- Yellow. In some Eastern cultures - such as Egypt - yellow symbolises mourning and loss.
- Green. In some Eastern cultures, green can symbolise infidelity or envy.
- Blue. In some Eastern cultures, blue symbolises immortality or spirituality.
- Orange. In some Eastern cultures, orange symbolises spirituality or Hinduism.
- Gold. While gold is often associated with wealth and prosperity in Western culture, in some Eastern cultures it can symbolise spirituality or enlightenment.
By understanding the cultural differences of colour symbolism, businesses can cater to diverse markets. This ensures that branding efforts are perceived in a positive light with target audiences.
Trend-led or timeless
Here at Vooba, we believe it’s important to strike the perfect balance between acknowledging current design trends and opting for a timeless colour palette.
You are at risk of becoming outdated quickly - as well as lost in a sea of similar-looking sites - if you choose an overly trendy colour choice. Just think about the huge trend for ‘millennial pink’. Back in 2016, this blush, rosy-beige took over the worlds of fashion and design.
More timeless colour choices can withstand changing design trends - think soft neutrals, monochromatic shade variations or subtle pastels.
Testing and feedback
Prior to build - if time and budget permit - it is ideal to carry out A/B testing to gauge and compare the impact of your short-listed potential colour schemes.
However, if this simply isn’t an option, it helps to gain feedback from others within your organisation by looking at a range of visuals before committing to a final colour scheme for your website.
Let us guide you to the best colour scheme for website design
There are many reasons why it is important to consider the impact of colour on your website's success. Not only does colour impact readability but it also affects engagement and perception.
If you’re unsure about selecting a colour scheme for website projects, we always recommend seeking professional guidance from expert web designers.
Here at Vooba, we are dedicated to helping our clients enhance their online presence and build brand recognition through strategic digital marketing. This includes creating eye-catching, responsive websites that are an asset to your organisation - please click to see our portfolio of web projects.
To learn more about our web design services, please call 01798 667167 or click to send us a message.
