A tremendous amount of time has been spent browsing the internet researching the psychological effects that different color schemes invoke when used in a website design.

Quiet often our clients solicit advice from us as to what colors should be selected for their website, and equally as often we are asked what sort of emotions certain colors invoke. Even though the psychological effect of a website goes beyond color, normally the color scheme is the first aspect that leaves an impression on a web surfer that happens to visit your website.

It does not matter whether your business website is e-commerce oriented or more informational in nature, such a first impression can trigger various reactions depending on the mood that the colours elicit in the viewer. The two extremes are the following: the Web surfer feels comfortable with the website and explores deeper, thus becoming a potential customer, or your visitor after less than a few seconds viewing your website presses the back button and continues searching.

Here is a simple guide list containing the common colors and the types of first-impression, psychological emotion they may invoke upon the website viewer:

RED
invokes feelings of love, passion, danger, warning, excitement, food, impulse, action, adventure.
BLUE
can invoke feelings of trustworthiness, success, seriousness, calmness, power, professionalism.
GREEN
can invoke feelings of money, nature, animals, health, healing, life, harmony.
ORANGE
can invoke feelings of comfort, creativity, celebration, fun, youth, affordability.
PURPLE
can invoke feelings of royalty, justice, ambiguity, uncertainty, luxury, fantasy, dreams.
WHITE
can invoke feelings of innocence, purity, cleanliness, simplicity.
YELLOW
can invoke feelings of curiosity, playfulness, cheerfulness, amusement.
PINK
can invoke feelings of softness, sweetness, innocence, youthfulness, tenderness.
BROWN
can invoke feelings of earth, nature, tribal, primitive, simplicity.
GREY
can invoke feelings of neutralality, indifference, reserved.
BLACK
can invoke feelings of seriousness, darkness, mystery, secrecy.

View our web safe color swatch list, click on the link below.

Website Design Colors »

For a comprehensive color family chart, click on the link below.

http://www.visibone.com/colorlab/big.html

Colors are an important aide in promoting your website, products, and or services. They can distract, even repel the website viewer. It is for this reason that you should put thought into your choice of color scheme. Do not simply choose the colors you like or unusual colors just because they are different. Keep in mind that you are trying to appeal to the widest possible demographic of website viewers. Be sure your website colors appeal to most, not just some.