Building an official website for your contracting company can be exciting. This online resource is essential for converting internet users into loyal, long-term customers.
However, choosing the wrong website color scheme can deter many of your visitors before they have a chance to explore. If you are new to web design and color theory, it’s easy to make mistakes during the creation process.
Read on to see what our color scheme experts at Relentless Digital recommend when designing your website.
Why Is Color Scheme for Your Website Important?
Color psychology plays a vital role in the effectiveness of your web design. Choosing the right color combinations can elevate your brand recognition, emphasize interactive elements on pages, and stimulate the right emotional reaction from your visitors.
Gone are the days of experimental website designs featuring flashing gifs, neon background colors, and hard-to-read text. To stay ahead of today’s competition, you need a color scheme that optimizes website legibility and promotes a professional brand image.
Still, not every contractor uses the same color combinations for their websites. Here are some questions to consider:
- What is your company logo’s color scheme?
- What do you want your brand’s personality to represent?
- How many colors should you include in your website color palette?
- Should you create a color palette or use a premade template for your website color scheme?
You don’t need to be an expert in color theory to create a stunning website design. At Relentless Digital, our web designers can help you navigate the creative process and test different colors for outstanding results.
9 Things To Consider When Choosing a Color Palette
When choosing color palettes for your website, you may wonder where to start. Here are nine things to think about while you plan.
The Color Wheel Is Your Friend
You can use a color wheel to explore different color combinations and shades. Color wheels consist of primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors.
The primary color scheme includes red, blue, and yellow. The secondary color scheme blends primary colors to create green, orange, and purple. The tertiary color scheme is a mix of primary and secondary color schemes — making hues like yellow-green or red-orange.
When choosing website color schemes, you can use the color wheel as a “cheat sheet.” Digital marketing companies that provide web design services for HVAC contractors can offer you professional recommendations.
A Subtle Color Scheme Can Go a Long Way
Try using analogous colors if you don’t want to create color schemes that appear too flashy.
An analogous color scheme consists of hues placed directly next to each other on the color wheel. These can be warm colors like red and yellow or cool, muted colors like light blue or light green.
Analogous colors are ideal if you want to create a consistent color palette across your entire web page. Slight color contrast can divide text blocks seamlessly or emphasize a call to action button.
You Can Create Monochromatic Color Schemes From Different Shades
A monochromatic color scheme consists of several shades of the same color. For example, you could tint a primary color like red to create high contrast near white space or in front of a dark background.
You should be careful when using monochromatic color schemes. Text can clash, making it difficult to read your content.
A Complementary Color Scheme Creates Contrasting Colors
Complementary colors are two hues on opposite sides of the color wheel — such as blue-purple and yellow-orange. Unlike monochromatic colors, these color schemes allow you to create a sharp contrast between warm and cool colors.
According to color theory, a complementary scheme always includes a combination of primary and secondary colors.
Most design templates offer dozens of attractive complementary schemes. However, you can customize your own palette for a unique look.
A split complementary color scheme (compound color scheme) lets you choose two particular colors directly next to the opposite color on the wheel. Compound colors are practical for creating a subtle contrast between your background and sidebars.
A Triadic Color Scheme Expands Your Palette Options
Unlike complementary colors, triadic color schemes allow you to combine three hues instead of two. For example, green, purple, and orange.
This option offers countless possibilities and is ideal if you want your brand personality to promote a cheery tone with vibrant colors.
Color Psychology Can Guide Your Design
As previously mentioned, considering color psychology is important when creating your website’s color scheme. Color plays a role in how your prospective customers view the tone and approachability of your company.
For example, a primary color like red will elicit feelings of excitement, energy, and strength. In contrast, neutral colors like black or gray promote formality, opulence, and security. Certain colors, like bright yellow, could even make your visitor feel happy or optimistic when browsing your website.
The type of color scheme you use should reflect how you interact with customers in person.
Your Primary Colors Will Draw the Most Attention
Start with a dominant color when building your website. You can use your brand colors as a reference. Once you settle on a color palette, experiment with placement.
It’s a good idea to use bold colors on your homepage header to draw attention to branding and the navigation bar. Use softer colors on the body to make your content readable.
Don’t be afraid to change the font color if the default black or white text does not complement your background.
Contrasting Color Schemes and Accent Colors Complete the Look
Add accent color around important elements, images, or block texts to encourage actionability from your visitors. You may need to play with different colors to create a visual flow from the top to the bottom of your page.
It’s best to use the same colors on your homepage across every subpage. Consistency allows your visitors to navigate your website without confusion.
Don’t Forget To Test Your Design Before Going Live
Once you lock your website colors in, take the time to test your design. It may help to give your eyes a break if you’ve been staring at your screen for more than an hour.
Skim content from the top of your web pages to the bottom and check for a consistent color combination. Remember to consider color psychology while you read — How do I want potential customers to feel when they explore my website?
You may need to adjust your background if your eyes hurt when testing. If all else fails, you can always return to a classic white background. However, you should apply a beautiful color palette to sidebars, modules, and images so your website does not look unfinished.
Choose the Right Website Color Scheme for Your Company
You may not have the time or staffing to design an adequate website for your company. It can take hours to settle on the right color palettes and apply them correctly.
At Relentless Digital, we do all the hard work for you. Hire us to help you develop an attractive, high-performing website. You can also explore our graphic design hacks to simplify your website build.
Contact us at Relentless Digital in Queen Creek, AZ, today. Call (262) 393-4241 to book a consultation with a web designer from our team.
