Choosing A Color Scheme

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!

For more information about choosing color schemes, visit the following resources on the Web:

The Color Schemer

http://www.godigitalstudios.com/www/color

Clear Ink's Palette Man

http://www.paletteman.com/

Project Cool Developer Zone

http://www.projectcool.com/de veloper/reference/color-chart.html

VisiBone Web Design Color References

http://www.visibone.com/color/

A book that illustrates excellent use of color on the Web is "Web Site Graphics: Color" by Jeff Carlson, Toby Malina and Glenn Fleishman. For more information about this book, visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/156 4965163/

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

---

How to Prepare Your Project Before You Order Website Design

Are you serious about get this website done fast and... Read More

Design Matters in our Visual Culture

FIRST IMPRESSIONS. First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions... Read More

Integrating Advertising into Your Web Design

If you are going to be placing ads on your... Read More

Low Cost Web Design In Birmingham

There are many companies who build websites, all of which... Read More

Immutable Laws Of Effective Navigation - Part 1

The first immutable law of effective navigation: It's gotta be... Read More

Drupal Modules

There are plenty of Drupal Modules that you can install... Read More

Should I Use Pop-Up Ads?

Web advertising has taken many forms, including those that appear... Read More

5 Website Design Tips to Make Your Site More Attractive

The question that I most frequently hear from people is... Read More

Give Your Web Site a Small Business Marketing Tune Up

Your web site is like your car. Both are significant... Read More

Using Graphic Design on Your Website

Almost everything is available on the web? products, services, e-books,... Read More

Quality of Your Text Layout and Design

Why is the quality of your text layout and design... Read More

Keyword Density

We can't emphasize enough the importance of including keyword-rich content... Read More

Do You Make These Common (But Deadly) Website Design Mistakes?

Building a website can be overwhelming, here are some design... Read More

Web Design for Ecommerce

Your website is your tool for showing the online community... Read More

Web Site Accessibility

Making your site accessible means making it available to be... Read More

Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Professional Designer

Remember your vision for your company and the brand or... Read More

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Website

When designing your website, remember to avoid useless and confusing... Read More

What to Avoid to Make Your Website Design Effective

The effective design is this one, which is maximum simplified,... Read More

How To Increase Your Conversion Rate or What Most People Miss When It Comes To Optimization

Everybody talks about the importance of testing your sales copy... Read More

Bad Web Design: ActiveX

ActiveX uses an interesting method for enforcing security ... it... Read More

Is a Web Site Builder Right for You?

A web site builder can be a real life saver... Read More

Why Do Images Disappear from a Webpage?

In learning webpage design, I encountered many problems that took... Read More

Make Artistic Graphic Designs

Are you a student of graphic design? If you have... Read More

Choosing Form Over Function Kills Your Site

Never put form over function. Why? Because it's crucial that... Read More

Effective Web Design Usability Principles

Website Design Usability Tips1. Getting to know about audience membersYou... Read More

Tableless Web Designs: Why I Switched

Since I made the switch 6 months ago to a... Read More

Web Advertising: 10 Little Known Tricks To Help Convert Your Traffics To Buying Customers

You may not believe it, but people still judge things... Read More

Web Site Turn Ons

When you develop a sales brochure, you have a mental... Read More

Can Your Visitors Contact You From Your Website

Argh, where's the contact button?! Believe it or not, some... Read More

Effective Website Design For Massive Traffic

STEP 1:Do your homeworkPlan and think about your content. Think... Read More

Finger Eating Garage Door Reveals Breakthrough Web Design and Linking Strategy

Last Thursday afternoon I was working on a garage door... Read More

KIS - Keep It Simple

There are many ways to add fancy bells and whistles... Read More

Website Design Firm

Website design firms come in all shapes and sizes.When choosing... Read More