When we create a website, one of the first things we think about is the color scheme. We want the site to look pretty and reflect its content or our personality. And we tend to pick the colors we like.
However, we don’t usually consider the emotional effect colors might have on our website visitors. What is the psychology of color?
Psychology of Color
We tend to get wrapped up in making a website that meets OUR design styles and tastes. If you are using your website to market your business, it’s not about you. It’s your customers and prospects. Instead, you should ask yourself, “What colors will work better for my target market?” Tough to answer, right?
It is known that each color has a different psychological effect on people who see it. Here is a very interesting Infographic, “Psychology of Color, “ which might help you decide which colors to use as you design your website. This chart explains the primary colors first—red, blue, and yellow—before introducing the secondary colors—orange, green, and purple.
Infographic by WebpageFX
The Power of Color
Color psychology is fascinating. Did you read those statistics?
90% of people look at visual appearance when buying something, and 85% buy a product because of its color. In addition, 80% of people agree that color increases brand recognition, and 50% won’t return to a place if they don’t like its overall aesthetics.
Your website’s colors and aesthetic appearance send a message to your visitors! Fortunately, infographics like this and websites like Coolers.co make it easier to pick attractive colors for your website.
Of course, it’s important to choose the right images for your website.
(This article was originally published in October 2015)
This article is amazingly helpful Christina! I was a bit stuck on the colours for the new site I am building and this info has put the last piece of the puzzle in place. Thank you!
Lynn,
Awesome! Let me know when you get the site built, as I would love to see what colors you picked 🙂
This is very useful. One of the things that I wish articles on color would address is the use of “strong” versus paler, or even pastel colors, as well as the “third level” colors such as aqua or other “off” tones. I know that when asked they say things like “Well, aqua is a mix of blue and green, so you just look at both those colors,” but I suspect there may be more to it than that.
Diana,
my guess is that they don’t do studies on those pastel colors, and they just focus on the primary and secondary colors. But I think the chart is a good starting point, and then you can extrapolate from there 🙂
Christina, this is such a useful article! I was thrilled that the color I have chosen for my website aligns perfectly with the values I hold for my business – a happy discovery:) The statistics regarding consumer behavior based on color underscore just how important color choice is. Thank you for sharing this great information with us.
Annette,
yes and I love the addition of the chakras there as well. Normally you don’t see that in studies on color.
I can’t wait to see your site!
I love that you included how each color correlates to a chakra because that is information that I use in my work all the time. And it’s powerful!
Elizabeh,
yes I was thrilled when I saw that about the chakras. Because the chart now has more meaning for more people. Quite rare 🙂
I always enjoy articles on colour and how consumers react. Relating it to the chakras is great because more and more people are becoming familiar with this field.
I note that you haven’t included the strong pink which is very popular now. I’m a Pockets of Joy success Coach and Money Mindset Mentor who helps Women Entrepreneurs to overcome their struggle, self-doubt and limiting beliefs to become happy, confident and successful. My logo is a spiral of multi-colours which are similar to the colours you have used in your graphic above with the people. When I set my old website to promote my book, 52 Pockets of Joy: The gift of Happiness, all my labels and click here, were in a beautiful green similar to what you have above.
I’m now creating a new website for my coaching (this time in WordPress) and was thinking the strong pink for buttons. I’d love your thoughts on this.
Denise,
yeah I just included the primary and secondary colors. But I LOVE pink!
What about brown color for business webpage? It’s a good choice? And if yes/no than why?
Brown is a good color, if it matches your branding and goals. just look at UPS, they are a business and their color is brown. https://www.ups.com/
I’ve seen more than one web page that has great colors and design but then they subscribe to an ad service that pushes a lot of intrusive ads with colors discordant to the web site. Some of those ads even have motion.
It’s ugly and it’s happened more than once that I’ve clicked off of a site because it was just too distracting. It’s ironic that people do the design then screw it up with ads, especially if there’s too many and they’re in the flow of the main part of each page.
And I find it hard to believe that people who create these ads actually think that people will put up with it (but, given reality, I suppose they do).
DCM,
I never like ads on a website! Unless that is the point of the website, but for most people building their main website, ads don’t make a good impression
This is helpful. I am considering some revisions to my website to update it a bit. This will be useful for making changes and tracking them.
Thank you.
Yes, considering color is a big factor in your website. Keep me posted!