This post talks about some of the best tools and tips you need for choosing a website color scheme. Either you are working for a client or designing your own website. In both ways choosing right contents (specifically color scheme), it is quite challenging. Because either way you have to cover a targeted audience. Either way, you have to meet up with certain requirements.
The first thing that mostly catches our eyes or represents a site is the brand logo. And in that logo, color scheme mostly try to take all the credit. (human psyche bro! we can’t help it). Colors are supposed to be the most influential, interest building and attraction seeker elements up till now. Color communicates with the viewer on an emotional level.
So, the best marketing strategy to promote a business or attract potential customers color scheme would like a pro. Specific colors tend to stir certain emotions in customers, thus creating brand relevance and motivating purchases.
That is why to choose a color scheme that can not only trigger their interest at first sight but also relates to what is presented by them needs some proficiency. For example, When I say Mcdonalds. What comes to your mind first. I can’t hear you so I’ll tell you what I would’ve thought. Other than mouth-watering images of Grand Big Mac (and also of some chilling serving of Mac flurry considering summer has just started), obviously our mind must have flicked a flashing red and yellow color. And that’s exactly was the marketing strategy behind their logo. As red symbolizes bold, fierce, desire and so is the Grand Big Mac.
This is the job of color scheme in the logo. To not only symbolizes the name but also relates to what they are being referred. (You can always locate it from distance on a highway or a crowded place)
Now, coming to the main questions and that is: What are the most promising colors that you should use for your logo or headline? OR what should be your pick for your work?
Obviously, we can’t write details for every business (we can’t even tabulate kinds of different and unique businesses in the world) So what we’ll do instead is elaborate on primary colors and their effects of the human psyche which can later be relatable to your business marketing strategy.
Now, if you are thinking that Oh WOW creating a logo is so easy, let’s make one immediately. Then my dear friend you are mistaken. Because it’s not that easy. There are few important things to consider. That too step by step.
First step: Brand or Dominant Color
Just like the blood red in Mcdonalds which is not just their brand color but also the dominating color which tells us that brand color needs to be the dominant one.
If you think that the red color for Mcdonalds was picked at random then you are highly mistaken. As said above already that it has become a part of their strategy hence they did not pick it up at random. Neither should the brand color be picked at random.
From the very beginning or right after the idea of your business brand color should be considered immediately. Of course, while keeping in mind the targeted audience. If you are really into your business and have a strong and productive marketing strategy than the selection of brand color should be your topmost priority.
One thing to keep in mind while choosing the brand color is the adequate selection of color. Since brand colors are a medium to trigger certain emotions or feelings when people arrive on your websites like passion, excitement, boldness, and love. This color will help your audience to remember you when they see it.
When selecting your brand colors, seeking guidance from a professional can be helpful in establishing a cohesive and impactful visual identity for your business. A reputable branding agency in Chicago can provide valuable insights and expertise.
Four approaches to approach common target:
You can choose a color on the basis of color psyche related to shoppers in general. Below is the guide to what color immunes which behavior.
Now you know what color defines who. I am pretty sure this will help you in picking up the right shade. Even if you are still confused then don’t start right away with color. First, think about the audience. You can also divide the audience into gender-specific approach i.e., male and female. Then simply choose colors accordingly.
Another approach in color selection can be ‘relating brand color to the specifically targeted audience’. Psychology says that different colors have the abilities to attract specific types of shoppers, and can even alter consumer behaviors. Below is the guide to human attractiveness to certain colors that are sure to help you in getting that ‘perfect’ shade.
You can go for a more intensive approach while considering audience i.e., phase-wise distribution. Are you trying to attract a younger generation who is energetic and lively? Then you should go for confident. cheerful, friendly Orange. Or are you trying to attract business class who is sophisticated and mature? Go for balance, calm, and neutral Grey or powerful and professional black. Are you trying to go for young girls who aren’t out yet from their pinky phase? Go for feminine and quirky Pink. Or are you trying to business among old people who are too tired of their own darkness? Go for trust, strength, and dependable Blue.
NOTE: By using color combinations that are favored by either male, female, or both, you can alter their perceptions of your brand, subconsciously.
Second step: Color scheme
Done with the selection of brand color. Now let’s move on to a color scheme that would complement the base color in the best way possible. Obviously one cannot go on with a single color on the whole website. The selection of a color palette to work with brand color is very crucial for the overall look of the website.
If you think that ‘I have a brand color, now all I have to do is pick some accent colors and I am good to go’ then you are highly mistaken yet again. The color scheme shouldn’t be picked at random. Lots of considerations are to make before finalizing a color palette. Color mixing and matching actually scare a lot of people because it’s not always easy or intuitive to tell which colors blend well together without a good understanding of color theory, and a lot of trial and error.
To make things easier for you as we don’t have first-hand knowledge about accent colors or which color would look good with whom we have tools to find out perfect color matches. By using color matching tools like Adobe Color CC tool you can make work a lot easier.
Adobe Color CC tool is a pretty easy tool to work with. Here you have two options:
- Use your dominant color to create your color scheme.
- Use a photo as inspiration to create your color scheme.
Note: Like the red, yellow, and white combination in Mcdonalds, always choose striking combinations together.
Third step: Background color
Background color or base color is something that we need to choose even more carefully because it will be processed throughout the website.
Can you choose the same color for a jewels e-store and an IT business website? Of course not. You might use cool, warm, and royal colors like Purple, Orange etc for a jewels store and monochromatic colors for serious business websites.
Similarly, you won’t feel comfortable in black and grey toned walls in your house and Red and yellow toned walls in an office. Which means that these background or base colors are a means of comfort. In a very similar way, the background color of your website depends on what you want your visitors to focus on. It depends on how comfortable you want to make your visitor’s visit.
So, choose a background color that defines what you want to give your visitor. Since websites are to focus on the content or the products, relevant background color makes it easy to understand and keep the spirits high.
Note: If in doubt, use light colors ranging from white to pastels and even to grey hues, it will help you achieve your goal i.e., outshining your content. But don’t use such background colors that would make your content difficult to read.
Fourth step: Mix and Match on the whole
Brand color is not restricted to the only logo. Since it is basically to attract viewers so it can be used all over the website to highlight important stuff. Like, Contact us button or important notices and highlights. Personal favorites or contemporary, now that you have complementary accent colors you are free to shine.
Make a palette of your selected colors and then divide them into three stages. Highlighting, important news, Secondary information and then use the colors accordingly.