Website Color Themes

[Grandor]

I'm going to be opening a website soon enough, and I was wondering what colors I should use. It would greatly help me if I got the opinion of some people to help me make my decision. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Ceroscuro]

Doesn't matter... most color schemes work well if they're done properly... most color schemes look like shit if they're not.

 

[___]

The main thing for me is simplicity, color harmony, consistency and of course eye-strain factor.  Generally lower contrast schemes that make good use of contrasting and complimenting colors and don't feel too busy or bright make for the best user experience.  My favorite spots for inspiration are http://www.csszengarden.com and http://stylegala.com .  What I like to do though is pick a central image or color and build around that, for instance for my website (http://www.justenrobertson.com) I picked the background - sunset behind a forest fire - and it informed my color choices and layout for the rest of the site.

I'm sure a more professional designer can give better advice, and of course the most valuable thing you can do is study color theory, for which there are great links all around the RMXP forums and elsewhere.

 

[Grandor]

Thanks for the advice. Those links will also prove useful. I like your site though it reminds me of a cold sunrise with the dark blue table housing the text.

 

[$t3v0]

Colour schemes depend on what the website is portraying. Also whether it's a business or personal site.

 

[Despain]

doesnt matter as long as it WORKS

 

[$t3v0]

Well it does matter. The majority of web users base their first opinions on layout and presentation. Unless he's offering something that will without a doubt bring repeat visits, this has to be carefully picked.

ps - Mazerazzi red card after 30 mins ... FUCK YES!

 

[e]

Different colors for different occasions. It's like clothing, really.

You should all go on the Adobe's Kuler site for all your color needs :p

 

[___]

Wow Kuler is really neat, Etheon :D  I hadn't come across it before.  Thanks for the heads up!  (link is http://kuler.adobe.com for anyone too lazy to Google).

 

[e]

Yeah, I didn't link because of the aggressiveness I've noticed towards linking offsite D:

 

[___]

I think that's more to do with commercial advertising & competing forums.

 

[t0nedef]

It more has to do with the site itself. Some sites content goes better with dark themes, others go good with light themes. As long as the colors go together well, and don't take away from the readability, it doesn't really matter.

 

[Grandor]

It's a business, but I'm not sure what color theme would best suit the target audience. I was thinking a black and a light cyanish. I think it compliments.

 

[Despain]

For a business, keep it light.

 

[$t3v0]

He's right. Always keep it light when selling something, It's THE LAW.



But seriously, keep it light.

 

[harbino]

I would say that the colour theme depends solely on the purpose.  I have a small website open for games and I have used a blue and white theme.  Yet my friend has an RP website and he has used black and red.  I suppose it is all up to you and that it doesn't matter what colours you use as long as it looks good and the contents are understandable with it (easy to read).

 

[Grandor]

Thanks for the help, I think your right. I'll make the main color white then.

 

[DJ Jack]

As everyone has already stated, it all depends on the site itself. But, I think lighter colors would be better in this situation. I don't really like dark websites because I feel like the place is too ominous, whereas a lighter skin could make the website feel more brighter and would welcome more people to check it out.

 

[t0nedef]

you might not want to go pure white, it can glare a bit and be hard on the eyes, i find a nice off-white is best.

 

[e]

True. Usually, something in the E ranges is better than a plain F.

Same goes for black. 0s are plain and can usually be replaced by better colors in the 2-4 range.