Mastering the art of color selection can be the difference between a website that pops and one that flops. Colors are not only used to achieve an aesthetically pleasing look; they also speak directly to your audience's hearts. They play a key role in increasing brand recognition, driving conversions, and earning your clients’ trust and loyalty.
Although this post won’t go into the psychology of color, it will provide you with strategies and resources you can use to generate a new (or update your current) color palette for website design purposes.
I will also let you in on a little secret:
Did you know that choosing the right colors for your website can also help with SEO?
Yes, that’s right. Keep reading to learn more about that. And if you want to stay updated on tips like these, don’t forget to subscribe to my email list!
What are the best colors for website design?
The answer is simple: the best colors for your website should align with your brand and resonate with your audience. There are lots of popular colors out there, but keep in mind that trends come and go. Stick to your visual identity, if you have one, but also don’t be afraid to experiment with complementary hues and different shades.
2023 is gradually winding down, and there's no better moment to revitalize your website by making minor tweaks to your color palette. But fret not; I am not suggesting a complete color overhaul. Instead, it's about refreshing what you already have, ensuring your brand remains consistent yet vibrant.
Fundamentals of Colors for Web Design:
What is a HEX code?
Ever come across those three letters? Simply put, a HEX code is a six-character representation (a mix of numbers and letters) that dictate the exact color your website displays. Each unique code matches a unique color, ensuring that you always get the right shade for your site.
Whether you already have a color palette, or you are looking to create one, you will need a HEX code for each color you’d like to use on your website. Keep reading for an easy way to identify those HEX codes and generate new ones.
Easy Way to Create Your Color Palette
Need assistance to identify your HEX codes? Meet Coolors.co – a FREE online tool that crafts custom color palettes effortlessly. Imagine an eye-drop tool that selects colors from images and converts them into HEX codes.
Here's a sneak peek of how this magic works...
Go to Coolors.co and then:
Upload an image – This can be a screenshot of your current website (which is what I did in the example shown here), or your favorite picture from a recent photoshoot, or an image you added to your mood board.
Hover over the colors you like in the image you uploaded and add them to your selection using the plus sign (not shown here).
Export the palette as a .jpeg or .png and choose HEX codes, which you’ll find displayed beside each color, as shown here on each color.
Tips on Picking the Right Colors for your Website
Initially, I suggest you settle on two base colors. A common choice is the classic black and white duo. However, any two shades will suffice, provided there's one dark (for text let’s say) and one light (for the background).
Remember that contrast is key! Contrasting colors help improve readability and just makes everything so much easier on the eyes. And guess what? This doesn't just make your readers happy, it makes search engines like Google happy too. They like websites that offer good user experience, and when Google’s happy with how user-friendly your site is, it could give you a nice little bump up in the rankings! (And there’s your SEO advice right here!)
Once you've identified two contrasting base colors, you’ll want to spice things up with accent colors. You can pick as many as you want, but if you are a Wix user, I suggest you start with four accent colors.
How to Customize Your Colors for Wix Users
If your website is built on Wix, or you are contemplating creating one using Wix, you’ll be happy to know that this particular platform offers a quick and easy way to customize your website colors in just a few clicks.
Here’s how you can do that:
Once you login to your Wix account, and click “Edit Site” from the dashboard, you will find yourself in the Wix Editor. From there, select "Site Design" in the left-hand side menu, then click on "Color Theme" and let the transformation begin!
You are now ready to customize your color theme and make changes across your site.
Using your newly-acquired HEX codes, you can align your website’s colors with your brand, achieving a cohesive look that resonates with your visitors. All you need to do is click on each color and update the HEX codes accordingly.
This will greatly simplify your design workflow – believe me, it is a huge time saver! Any time you wish to tweak a color slightly, or change it entirely, all you have to do is go back to this section of the Wix Editor, make your revisions in just a few clicks, and voila (!) the updates ripple across your website instantly. Neat tool, isn’t it?!
Your Color Palette Challenge
Venture into your website's color theme. Already have three primary colors? How about experimenting with complementary ones?
For a clearer picture:
If your palette looks like the one on the left, which currently displays 5 colors, infuse it with additional colors, much like the example on the right. Build upon what you already have and witness your website transform!
Colorful palettes don't just captivate the eye; they set a mood and evoke feelings. They become an unspoken part of your brand story. Most importantly, the colors you choose will either draw in and enchant your visitors or become a distraction and drive them away. So when it comes to your color palette, make your choice wisely.
I'm eager to hear from you! Have you had a chance to try Coolors.co for your color scheme needs? Did you find it as helpful as I have, or do you have another favorite tool up your sleeve? While Coolors.co is my personal go-to, I'm aware that there are other online platforms such as Canva and Adobe Color that also offer nifty palette generators.
But what about you?
Are there other resources or tricks you've discovered for the perfect color match? Drop your thoughts and insights in the comments below – I'm all about sharing knowledge and learning from each other!
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Disclaimer: The mentions of Coolors.co, Adobe Color, and Canva throughout this post reflect their utility and effectiveness in creating custom color palettes. These are not endorsements, and I am not affiliated with any of these websites. I encourage you to explore and find the tools that best suit your individual needs and preferences.
About Stephanie Smout
Stephanie is a seasoned marketing strategist, bestselling author, and speaker who specializes in creating low-tech websites for entrepreneurs, empowering them to establish a compelling online presence that amplifies their credibility, visibility, and profitability. She is the CEO of Stephanie Smout Marketing Solutions and the founder of the Clicks & Tricks Academy™ – a comprehensive digital course in which she shares her unique method to launching websites that not only capture attention online but also bolster a business's bottom line. Learn more about Stephanie Smout.
