What are the best colors to use for websites?

Discussion in 'Graphics & Multimedia' started by xInd, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. #1
    I remember in the past in all my studying and learning of marketing, both online and offline... There used to be some guidelines about colors and what not to use if you want to promote a buying atmosphere and conversions from your visitors.
    It's best to use lighter colors, and avoid dark colors... Avoid a lot of green, or red, as these set more volatile moods... Dark, black sites turn non-gothic people away..

    What are your thoughts and experiences when it comes to color schemes, particularly in relation to buying patterns and registrations / conversions?
     
    xInd, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  2. vvaz

    vvaz Peon

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    #2
    I would say, that the "best colors" to use are the ones of the company's logo. I know a lot of e-commerce sites that uses a variety of color schemes, nothing flashy pink or green. For me, what really mathers are the number os colors that are used on the scheme.

    I dont use no more than 3/4 for basic layout. A good contrast between background and content are allways required.
     
    vvaz, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  3. tentwenty

    tentwenty Well-Known Member

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    #3
    To be honest I don't think there is any best colors.

    If you design a really cool & attractive website I see no harm in choosing any colors.
     
    tentwenty, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  4. sheryonline

    sheryonline Well-Known Member

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    #4
    thank u so much Mr.Kumar ... em a designer it these lists helped me alot
    cheers
    Shery !
     
    sheryonline, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  5. xInd

    xInd Notable Member

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    #5
    Good point vvaz.
    @tentwenty - In my opinion I tend to agree with you. Marketing professionals, courses, and studies seem to say otherwise, particularly when it comes to websites designed to make some sort of a sale.... That's the debate here I guess... I'm still on the fence.

    sheryonline.... What? Were you typing in the wrong tab or something?
     
    xInd, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  6. anxggxun

    anxggxun Peon

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    #6
    its depends on the product we tried to offer i guess..
     
    anxggxun, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  7. xInd

    xInd Notable Member

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    #7
    @anxggxun -- can you expand on this please?

    I've got a contest going to get a branding package and trying to get some good ideas for the colors that should be used to give the designers who are trying out for the contest.
     
    xInd, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  8. MegaMod

    MegaMod Peon

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    #8
    Use plain colors,
    Yellow is most shiny,
    Black don't attracts the vision (cuz It reflects nothing),
    Yellow with black is good to use.. cuz it makes the visitor just focus on the font!
     
    MegaMod, Feb 24, 2010 IP
  9. Norebbo

    Norebbo Active Member

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    #9
    As others have mentioned, there are no "best" colors - it just depends on the particular company (and niche) you are making the website for.

    No matter what though, do not put large blocks of text on dark backgrounds! It is very difficult to read, and you'll quickly annoy your readers.
     
    Norebbo, Feb 24, 2010 IP
  10. Dee2007

    Dee2007 Active Member

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    #10
    I totally agree.

    I also agree with the comment about if the company has a logo, that can be a great starting point.

    But there really is no rules when it comes to colours, you'll soon learn what colours work together and what don't.
     
    Dee2007, Feb 24, 2010 IP
  11. tech_savvy

    tech_savvy Peon

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    #11
    wokd depend on the niche of the site.
     
    tech_savvy, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  12. jemblunk

    jemblunk Member

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    #12
    use web base colour on photoshop i think that will be your website make niche for all pixel on user monitor's i thinks
     
    jemblunk, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  13. kashadvertise

    kashadvertise Peon

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    #13
    Try to find out the colors used by your competitors and use a different color scheme. Secondly it depends on the product or service which your are offering. For example if you are using baby product you probably use yellow colors.
     
    kashadvertise, Feb 26, 2010 IP
  14. omarabid

    omarabid Well-Known Member

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    #14
    I like black and gray :p sometimes blue
     
    omarabid, Feb 26, 2010 IP
  15. xInd

    xInd Notable Member

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    #15
    Interesting opinions.
    Well, from consumer psychology 101, it breaks down to a very similar concept to mood rings. The main color can often set the mood for the visitor depending on their personality type, etc. These principals have been used since well before the Internet, and I think they likely apply to the more corporate market, business clients, business owners, professionals, etc. I think these days they have a bit less value to them, I see most of you tend to agree. I think they do still apply a bit though. Like for example, nobody would make a get paid to surf website full of green and brown, where you're clicking around all over the place and seeing crap and puke all around you.... etc.
     
    xInd, Mar 3, 2010 IP
  16. canadianguy_001

    canadianguy_001 Peon

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    #16
    My general opinion is that if you are trying to sell to and please the widest range of consumers online, your website should be clean, light and spacious. There is no one colour that is necessarily better than another, but one could argue that red is usually used to indicate a warning - and may subliminally turn away potential customers, while colours like blues, light blues, beige's and light greens are all fairly safe.

    Keep in mind that there is no 'perfect' colour combination. Sometimes a certain color may better suit the product you are selling. But if you want to play it safe, I don't think anyone would ever tell you that using the colours I mentioned above are the reason for bad conversions.
     
    canadianguy_001, Mar 4, 2010 IP
  17. Cascolo

    Cascolo Member

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    #17
    there is no perfect color combination,like other have suggested the color of your page should be in harmony with your company colors.Also do a search for the "Psychology of colors"
     
    Cascolo, Mar 8, 2010 IP
  18. cablebox

    cablebox Member

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    #18
    Anything that a person would label florescent would be a VERY bad choice. Other then that, the color should really depend on your site. Just make sure your visitors do not become blind after visiting your website xD
     
    cablebox, Mar 9, 2010 IP
  19. mymerry

    mymerry Peon

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    #19
    I totally agree on it. Best colors is how we could made some colors scheme that eye catch and reader friendly view.

    Sorry for my bad English
     
    mymerry, Mar 9, 2010 IP
  20. Pedro Monteiro

    Pedro Monteiro Well-Known Member

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    #20
    There is no correct answer, it depends on the project, client, market, etc...
    I would say that the project itself will answer what are the base adequate colors, from there you can surround yourself with a palette of colors that conjugate with the main theme.
    This website is a wonderful way to find out what colours work well with any given tone: http://colorschemedesigner.com/
     
    Pedro Monteiro, Mar 10, 2010 IP