Web Colors

Color can play an important role in communicating your message online.  While it is becoming less and less of an issue (as more people get newer monitors and video cards), color choice should be restricted to the 216 web-safe colors.  Some technologies, like Cascading Style Sheets, still rely on these color choices.

Bear in mind that no two monitors will render color the same.  There are just too many variables outside of the control of the designer.  Brightness, contrast, and even the color itself can be modified by the user.  

Color Meaning

With these thoughts in mind, really consider how color will play on your site. What message do you want to send with color? Each color may send a powerful psychological message.  

Red

Red is rooted in our most primitive needs. It signifies courage, action, motion, even danger and excitement as well as raw sexuality and passionate love. Reds have been shown to increase blood pressure and respiration rates and is often used to stimulate quick (impulse buying) decisions. 

Orange

Orange is the color of creativity, harmony and joy, the energy of red combined with the optimism and joy of yellow.  It is a happy, enthusiastic color. While a hot color, orange doesn't "scream" as much as red.  Studies have shown that orange colors tend to increase oxygen flow to the brain, stimulating mental activity. Mixed with more earthy tones, it symbolizes strength and rootedness. 

Yellow

Yellow is the sun color, linked with contentment and intellectual powers.  It is a cheery, lively color and can be an excellent attention-grabber.  Pure yellow can fade against a white background though (see the Yellow heading for proof).  Golden yellow might represent wealth, optimism and playful self-confidence.

Green

Green is cooling, soothing color, that is linked with natural harmony, primitive strength, and good fortune (some shades evoke the color of money). Green, as the opposite of red, represents safety and stability. It represents healing and calm authority, growth and abundance. Green is the most restful color to the human eye.  

Blue

Blue is a tranquil color.  It harkens to calm waters and deep thoughts.  It is a very clean color that suggests precision, competence and purity.  It suppresses appetite, and produces a feeling of calm. Blue is a solid business color, conservative, trustworthy and knowledgeable.

Purple

Living in the lands between red and blue, purples represent royalty, ambition and wisdom, even divinity or spirituality.  Purple or lavender is a romantic, fanciful color, suggesting mystery, creativity and magic.  It is extremely popular among pre-adults.

White

White represent faith and purity, innocence and truth. It suggests perfection and faith.

Black

Black is a moody color, though it may represent authority or survival. Combined with reds or oranges, you can create a very powerful, aggressive color scheme.