Have you ever stopped to think about how the colours on a website can affect the way users interact with it? It turns out that there’s a lot of psychology behind colour theory, and web designers are well aware of how important it is to choose the right hues for their sites.

Colour theory is the study of how colour influences thoughts, moods, and physical reactions. It determines how users feel when they visit your website. If the colour is too aggressive and makes a user feel overwhelmed, they will leave without buying anything. It also determines if the user will trust you. If the colour doesn’t match what they were expecting, they will likely be left with underlying doubts – and that’s the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve with a first impression.

How colours affect our emotions and moods

Certain colours can elicit different emotions in people, so it’s important to consider what feeling you want your website to evoke. For example, blue is often associated with trustworthiness and calmness, making it a good choice for websites that are selling products or services. Red, on the other hand, is often seen as exciting and energetic, making it more suited for sites that are trying to generate excitement or encourage users to take action.

Of course, colour choices are just one aspect of web design, but they’re an important consideration nonetheless. By taking the time to understand how colours can affect users’ emotions, you can create a website that is more likely to engage and convert visitors into customers or clients.

What colours should you use on your website?

The colours you choose to use on your website really depends on the type of website you have and the message you are trying to convey- and of course the action you’d like your visitor to take. And this really highlights the need to understand who your ideal customer is and what they’re hoping to achieve on your website.

• Red is the colour of passion, love, and anger. It is also the colour of danger and warning signs. Too much red can be overwhelming and make a user feel agitated.
• Blue, being the colour of water and sky, is known to be calming and serene. It is also the colour of sadness and coldness. Blue can make a user feel safe and secure, but too much blue can make a user feel isolated. It is often used to represent loyalty, trustworthiness and dependability.
• Orange is the colour of excitement and energy. It is also the colour of warmth and sunset. Orange can be overwhelming if used too much, but it can also be very inviting.
• Yellow is the colour of happiness and sunshine. It is also the colour of caution and cowardice. Yellow can be very cheerful, but too much yellow can make a user feel anxious.
• Green is the colour of nature, life, and growth. It is also the colour of money and envy. Green can make a user feel calm and relaxed, but too much green can make a user feel bored.
• Purple is the colour of royalty, wisdom, and creativity. It is also the colour of mourning and gloom. Purple can make a user feel enchanted and mysterious, but too much purple can make a user feel confused.
• Pink is the colour of femininity, romance, and childishness. It is also the colour of weakness and vulnerability. Pink can make a user feel loved and cared for, but too much pink can make a user feel suffocated.
• Brown is the colour of earth, wood, and stability. It is also the colour of dullness and depression. Brown can make a user feel safe and grounded, but too much brown can make a user feel trapped.
• Black is the colour of power, mystery, and sophistication. It is also the colour of death and evil. Black can make a user feel elegant and stylish, but too much black can make a user feel depressed and hopeless.
• White is the colour of purity, cleanliness, and peace. It is also the colour of sterility and coldness. White can make a user feel serene and innocent, but too much white can make a user feel sterile and isolated.
• Grey is the colour of neutrality, balance, and impartiality. It is also the colour of boredom and apathy. Grey can make a user feel calm and relaxed, but too much grey can make a user feel detached and disengaged.

In general, it is best to avoid using too much of any one colour as it can be overwhelming for users. It is also important to consider the different meanings that colours have when choosing which colours to use on your website.

In different areas, several colors have diverse political, cultural, and religious connotations. So, while a colour might be appropriate for one website, it might not be appropriate for another.

Conclusion

Of course, these are just general guidelines and colour theory is just one aspect of web design. The best way to figure out which colours work best for your website is to experiment with different combinations and see what works best for your particular website and audience.

If you keep these colour psychology tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a website that is not only visually appealing, but also conveys the right message to your users.

And of course, if you need help choosing the right colours for your website, consider working with a web designer (like Macc Digital) who can help you create a colour scheme that is both aesthetically pleasing and effective for your business.