The Meanings of Colors Matter in Web Design
Color psychology tells us that colors have meanings.
In other words, colors subconsciously elicit feelings and thoughts when
people see them. Did you know that color psychology can affect the way
people think and feel about your blog or website? It's true! Before you
choose the colors for your blog, read through the commonly accepted
color meanings provided below. The last thing you want to do is lose
visitors because of the subconscious effects the colors in your blog
cause. Keep in mind, colors can mean different things in different parts
of the world. Be sure to read about
International Color Meanings, too.
Blue
Blue
is a very common color in blog and web design. Many top web brands use
blue as their primary brand color. For example, the logos and websites
or
Twitter,
Facebook, and
LinkedIn
are all predominantly blue. That's because blue is a very popular color
for men and women. In fact, a very broad audience likes the color blue.
In color psychology, blue is said to evoke feelings of calm, security,
trust, and dependability.
Red
Red has long been associated with
anger. Color psychologists believe the color red actually causes a
physical response when people see it, not just a subconscious response.
For example, test subjects experience an accelerated heart rate when
presented with the color red. If you want to catch someone's attention
and get a reaction, then red is a great color choice. It's considered to
be an aggressive and energetic color.
Green
When
people see green, they typically think of grass and nature. It's
considered to be a fresh and healthy color. However, dark greens are
tied more closely to money.
Yellow
When
you need a color to communicate positivity and warmth, yellow is a
perfect choice. It's also been found in studies to be the first color
that people see. Yellow is the perfect choice to draw attention to the
most important parts of your blog or website.
Orange
Orange
isn't as popular as some of the other colors on this list, but it has
been found to evoke feelings of excitement and represents fun. If yours
is a fun and exciting blog, consider using orange!
Brown
Brown
is often associated with the earth and can evoke feelings of
durability. However, it can also be perceived as dirty. You should be
careful using brown in your blog or web design. However, many brands
have had great success using brown in their identities. For example, UPS
owns the color brown in the shipping industry and it's worked very well
for the brand. Don't be afraid to use a color that seems unpopular. You
just might have a chance to make it your own.
Pink
Pink
is considered to be a feminine color with pale pinks perceived as
romantic and bright pinks being perceived as exciting, young, and fun.
Victoria's Secret built an entire product line around Pink. If yours is a
feminine blog, then pink could be a perfect choice.
Purple
Purple
has been found to be particularly unpopular among male audiences, but
color psychology says purple can mean a few different things. For
example, purple is often perceived as a creative color, but it can also
be perceived as a sophisticated color. For some people, it is closely
associated with royalty or spirituality.
