How to choose the right colors for your website?
Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2024 4:25 am
There are four things that distinguish a good website design from a bad one. These are convenient navigation, block rhythm, font sizes and color compatibility. And while the first three elements can be dealt with logically, the right colors, it would seem, are determined by good taste - only a designer can create color schemes for a website.
This is wrong.
The choice of colors is subject to rules that are understandable to everyone. In this article, we will tell you about the principles of color combinations, the use of colors in website design, suggest services for creating color schemes, and give a couple of useful tips. You will definitely succeed.
Content
Color palette combinations for a website
All shades in your website's color scheme balance or complement each other. Colors in the palette are divided into two types: primary and secondary.
On a website, primary colors may appear as a background, in the navigation menu or feedback forms. Additional colors work as accents – they attract attention. For example, as icon colors. The role of colors may change throughout the page.
Example of changing colors on the site
The easiest way to understand what a website color palette consists of is to look at a color wheel. Each dot on the edge of the circle represents the direction of the color shade. The colors are saturated at the edge. As you get closer to the center, the shades become lighter.
Color wheel
One of the simplest color combinations is complementary colors. Two opposite colors together create balance. There are more color combinations than we will list (for example, a color combination based on a square or rectangle), but for now we will look at just a few principles that determine the combination of colors in a palette.
For all the examples below, we used templates created by our designers and available to you for free after registering on Weblium .
Monochromatic color combination in the website palette
Monochromatic combination. This is a win-win option – especially if you have a brand color. In this combination, you take one color (hence “mono”), and use more or less light shades of it in the design. Always remember that you need to take care of the contrast. Blocks and elements should be separated from each other.
Analogous color scheme in website design
Analogous color scheme. In this case, you take one color as the main one, and several colors next to it as auxiliary ones. In each separate block on the site page, individual colors can change their role: the auxiliary color becomes the main one, the main one becomes auxiliary.
Complementary colors in website design
Complementary colors. Two opposite colors create a strong contrast. It is advisable not to place these colors in the same quantity on one screen, otherwise the visitor will not be able to highlight the main thing. Throughout the page, you can alternate the saturation of the design with each of the colors.
Extended complementarity in colors on the site
Extended complementarity. As in the previous case, two colors are in internal opposition, but now one of the colors has accomplices. The shades located next to each other on the color wheel create smooth transitions, and the same color is always in contrasting opposition to them.
Triad-Based Gamma in Website Design
Triad-based gamma. Three colors are separated on the color wheel by the same step. Each of them is equally strong, but depending on your tasks, you choose which color will be the basis for everything. The second color continues it, but does not take away attention. And only the third accent brings variety. This can be imagined as a ratio of 60, 30, 10% respectively.
Please note that the color scheme for the site includes neutral and muted shades. Such colors are needed to make your pages comfortable to view.
Selecting colors for a website palette: brand book, competitors, services
The colors specified in the settings are the same as a blank canvas. But instead of paints you have color codes, and instead of contours you have blocks and elements. And like any artist you will have a little stupor: where to start?
Brand book. If you already have even the simplest description of the visual side of the brand, that's something. Open the brand book page dedicated to your corporate colors and look at the materials that the designers have prepared.
If the colors for the site are too intense, expand the palette. For example, you have an intense light blue. This color will appear in the logo and rare accents. Add a dark blue of medium saturation to it. You will use this color, for example, for icons. You can use an unsaturated light blue shade as backgrounds.
Competitors. You don't always have to do it differently, sometimes a working option is enough. Look for your inspiration in competitors. Open their websites - study what palettes they use. As a result, you will get a branded cut.
Competitors' colors on your sites
For example, it turns out that other brands in your category use orange colors. Accordingly, you can either go the same way or, on the contrary, contrary to the rules of the category.
Services. If you want technology to help you a little in your creativity, use online color selection services for your website. Their functions are generally similar. They offer:
Services for choosing colors for a website
Collections of ready-made palettes with the ability to edit them.
Random color combination generator with the ability to customize them.
Automatic creation of palettes based on photos and illustrations.
Select the type of color harmonization (analogous, complementary, triads, etc.).
We recommend using three free services: Coolors , Adobe Color , Toptal .
Also
In addition to the creative component, always think netherlands phone number material about your user. The design should be close to him. You can learn more about target audience analysis from our material . A mood board will also help in design - a mood board, which will collect ideas for design. You will learn more about building a mood board from our other article .
Tips for Working with Website Colors
Starting to work on colors for the site
Start with black and white thinking. Any website page design starts with information distribution. Your design should have a rhythm – all the blocks should separate from each other. Once you do this, you will see a semblance of visual spots. It will be easier to string color on them.
Air when working on colors for the site
Free space – rest is important. Imagine a romantic movie about only the happy love of the heroes. Without separations and tears. Not very interesting, right? In the same way, monotonous dense design is repulsive. Apply color from time to time and use neutral backgrounds. Only then will color become your ally.
Incompatibility of colors on the site
Don't let the colors vibrate. You already know that the palette should not only have light, saturated shades. Muted colors are needed for a soft neighborhood. If you take two complementary colors located at the circumference of the color wheel and place them next to each other, an uncomfortable, intense combination will appear.
Visual hierarchy when working on d
Hierarchy exists, it is important. Always pay attention to the fact that the use of color enhances the meaning of a certain element in the design. For example, if you make the heading a regular gray color, and use bright colors in the content of the block, the heading will be lost.
Choosing the color of buttons for the site
Active color – don’t forget about clicks. Modern design is compact and action-oriented. When you add buttons, forms, FAQs or tabs to your site, make the elements of interaction with them contrasting. For example, the entire form can be made in blue shades, and the send button – orange. The contrast of colors will attract attention and increase the chance of the desired actions.
Color of illustrations in website design
Illustrations and photos are your accomplices. When choosing stock images or photos you have taken, remember that they should be in full compliance with the chosen range. The colors of the elements and images continue each other. It is desirable that all photos have the same type of color correction. Try to choose photos that contain the colors of the site palette.
Simplifying Colors in Website Design
Use truncated palettes. No matter how convenient a design tool is, good design still takes time. To speed up your website development, divide your pages into two categories. On your primary pages – the home page or about us – use the full range of colors. On secondary pages – shipping or guarantees – use a palette of a couple of colors. This will ensure that all your pages have a consistent design.
This is wrong.
The choice of colors is subject to rules that are understandable to everyone. In this article, we will tell you about the principles of color combinations, the use of colors in website design, suggest services for creating color schemes, and give a couple of useful tips. You will definitely succeed.
Content
Color palette combinations for a website
All shades in your website's color scheme balance or complement each other. Colors in the palette are divided into two types: primary and secondary.
On a website, primary colors may appear as a background, in the navigation menu or feedback forms. Additional colors work as accents – they attract attention. For example, as icon colors. The role of colors may change throughout the page.
Example of changing colors on the site
The easiest way to understand what a website color palette consists of is to look at a color wheel. Each dot on the edge of the circle represents the direction of the color shade. The colors are saturated at the edge. As you get closer to the center, the shades become lighter.
Color wheel
One of the simplest color combinations is complementary colors. Two opposite colors together create balance. There are more color combinations than we will list (for example, a color combination based on a square or rectangle), but for now we will look at just a few principles that determine the combination of colors in a palette.
For all the examples below, we used templates created by our designers and available to you for free after registering on Weblium .
Monochromatic color combination in the website palette
Monochromatic combination. This is a win-win option – especially if you have a brand color. In this combination, you take one color (hence “mono”), and use more or less light shades of it in the design. Always remember that you need to take care of the contrast. Blocks and elements should be separated from each other.
Analogous color scheme in website design
Analogous color scheme. In this case, you take one color as the main one, and several colors next to it as auxiliary ones. In each separate block on the site page, individual colors can change their role: the auxiliary color becomes the main one, the main one becomes auxiliary.
Complementary colors in website design
Complementary colors. Two opposite colors create a strong contrast. It is advisable not to place these colors in the same quantity on one screen, otherwise the visitor will not be able to highlight the main thing. Throughout the page, you can alternate the saturation of the design with each of the colors.
Extended complementarity in colors on the site
Extended complementarity. As in the previous case, two colors are in internal opposition, but now one of the colors has accomplices. The shades located next to each other on the color wheel create smooth transitions, and the same color is always in contrasting opposition to them.
Triad-Based Gamma in Website Design
Triad-based gamma. Three colors are separated on the color wheel by the same step. Each of them is equally strong, but depending on your tasks, you choose which color will be the basis for everything. The second color continues it, but does not take away attention. And only the third accent brings variety. This can be imagined as a ratio of 60, 30, 10% respectively.
Please note that the color scheme for the site includes neutral and muted shades. Such colors are needed to make your pages comfortable to view.
Selecting colors for a website palette: brand book, competitors, services
The colors specified in the settings are the same as a blank canvas. But instead of paints you have color codes, and instead of contours you have blocks and elements. And like any artist you will have a little stupor: where to start?
Brand book. If you already have even the simplest description of the visual side of the brand, that's something. Open the brand book page dedicated to your corporate colors and look at the materials that the designers have prepared.
If the colors for the site are too intense, expand the palette. For example, you have an intense light blue. This color will appear in the logo and rare accents. Add a dark blue of medium saturation to it. You will use this color, for example, for icons. You can use an unsaturated light blue shade as backgrounds.
Competitors. You don't always have to do it differently, sometimes a working option is enough. Look for your inspiration in competitors. Open their websites - study what palettes they use. As a result, you will get a branded cut.
Competitors' colors on your sites
For example, it turns out that other brands in your category use orange colors. Accordingly, you can either go the same way or, on the contrary, contrary to the rules of the category.
Services. If you want technology to help you a little in your creativity, use online color selection services for your website. Their functions are generally similar. They offer:
Services for choosing colors for a website
Collections of ready-made palettes with the ability to edit them.
Random color combination generator with the ability to customize them.
Automatic creation of palettes based on photos and illustrations.
Select the type of color harmonization (analogous, complementary, triads, etc.).
We recommend using three free services: Coolors , Adobe Color , Toptal .
Also
In addition to the creative component, always think netherlands phone number material about your user. The design should be close to him. You can learn more about target audience analysis from our material . A mood board will also help in design - a mood board, which will collect ideas for design. You will learn more about building a mood board from our other article .
Tips for Working with Website Colors
Starting to work on colors for the site
Start with black and white thinking. Any website page design starts with information distribution. Your design should have a rhythm – all the blocks should separate from each other. Once you do this, you will see a semblance of visual spots. It will be easier to string color on them.
Air when working on colors for the site
Free space – rest is important. Imagine a romantic movie about only the happy love of the heroes. Without separations and tears. Not very interesting, right? In the same way, monotonous dense design is repulsive. Apply color from time to time and use neutral backgrounds. Only then will color become your ally.
Incompatibility of colors on the site
Don't let the colors vibrate. You already know that the palette should not only have light, saturated shades. Muted colors are needed for a soft neighborhood. If you take two complementary colors located at the circumference of the color wheel and place them next to each other, an uncomfortable, intense combination will appear.
Visual hierarchy when working on d
Hierarchy exists, it is important. Always pay attention to the fact that the use of color enhances the meaning of a certain element in the design. For example, if you make the heading a regular gray color, and use bright colors in the content of the block, the heading will be lost.
Choosing the color of buttons for the site
Active color – don’t forget about clicks. Modern design is compact and action-oriented. When you add buttons, forms, FAQs or tabs to your site, make the elements of interaction with them contrasting. For example, the entire form can be made in blue shades, and the send button – orange. The contrast of colors will attract attention and increase the chance of the desired actions.
Color of illustrations in website design
Illustrations and photos are your accomplices. When choosing stock images or photos you have taken, remember that they should be in full compliance with the chosen range. The colors of the elements and images continue each other. It is desirable that all photos have the same type of color correction. Try to choose photos that contain the colors of the site palette.
Simplifying Colors in Website Design
Use truncated palettes. No matter how convenient a design tool is, good design still takes time. To speed up your website development, divide your pages into two categories. On your primary pages – the home page or about us – use the full range of colors. On secondary pages – shipping or guarantees – use a palette of a couple of colors. This will ensure that all your pages have a consistent design.