During site creation, it is very easy to fall into
trap of "if I can, I will" thinking. This method of thinking is very dangerous. The premise is if I can create a site with 256 differently colored words, backgrounds and graphics, I will. Your site may look great, but what will you accomplish? The disadvantage to creating a single site with dozens of different colors is color compatibility between different operating systems, monitors and browsers. If browser of your visitor cannot show an exact color from your website, it will choose closest or mix nearest two colors. This is called dithering. The result can be something you did not want or expect. The best way to avoid dithering is to optimize your site colors. The best way to optimize your colors is to use colors in a 216-color palette. Here is a good link that give a full example on dithering and color palettes:
http://webreference.com/dev/graphics
You can also find additional information on dithering by searching by following words: dithering, avoid dithering and halftones By designing a site with this in mind, your site will appear as it should to all of your visitors.
Now that you have learned about dithering, let's learn how colors evoke a broad array of emotions, and influence our decision-making process every day. By using these nonverbal clues to your advantage, you can influence how your visitors feel about your site.
Colors and How to Use Them
The three primary colors are yellow, red and blue. The secondary colors are orange, green and purple. The secondary colors are results of mixing two primary colors together. Yellow and red will create orange. Yellow and blue will make green. Blue and red will create purple. Of course, mixing secondary colors with primary colors will further increase color variations.
Here are some of emotions and moods commonly associated with more popular colors. Remember, these examples are broad emotional definitions for each color.
Red: Red is designed for daring, persuasive and passionate. It also represents "danger", "stop" or heat. Red can be a very powerful motivator when used with proper corresponding words. Words and phrases to highlight with red include: "Act Now", "Stop", "Order today", "Red hot", "Don't miss out" or "Don't miss this opportunity".
