DON’T BE BEIGE
Why Bold Colors Belong on Your Website
When it comes to building a brand, color is one of the first impressions you make. Whether you’re launching your first website or refreshing an outdated one, the colors you choose can set the tone for how people perceive you. That’s where color theory comes in.
Color theory teaches us that colors can evoke specific emotions, change perceptions, and spark action. Certain colors are also often associated with particular industries. For instance:
Blue is trustworthy, calm, and professional. It’s a favorite for banks, tech, and real estate.
Green implies fresh, natural, prosperous, and health-oriented. You’ll see this used in the environmental, wellness, agriculture, and finance industries.
Red is bold, urgent, and attention-grabbing. It is seen often in food, beverage, and retail brands, along with emergency services.
Yellow is cheerful and energetic, making it a natural choice for childcare, travel, and hospitality companies.
Purple is luxurious and creative. It is used frequently in the beauty, luxury goods, spiritual, and creative spaces.
Black is sleek and elegant. It evokes power and prestige, and is a favorite for fashion, luxury, automotive, tech, and legal companies.
Orange is friendly and enthusiastic, making it great for sports, logistics, startups, and entertainment.
Understanding these associations is important. But it’s not the whole story.
A Hot Pink Revelation
Recently, we spotted a real estate sign for an open house in San Diego that was hot pink. The sign stood out in a sea of traditional blues and whites. It was impossible to miss, and just as impossible to forget. Not only did the color stop us in our tracks, but we remembered the broker’s name, and thought about their sign long after we drove away.
That’s the power of color when it’s used intentionally and boldly.
In industries where everyone is trying to look "professional" by blending in, standing out can be the most professional thing you can do. That especially applies online, where attention spans are short and competition is high.
Why Going Bold Can Be Smart Strategy
When designing your brand and website, choosing colors that reflect your industry is a good starting point, but it doesn’t have to be the end. We always think back on the Picasso quote: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist."
For example, if you're a nonprofit with a mission that energizes you, maybe a vibrant coral or zesty lime green communicates your passion better than a traditional navy or forest green. If you’re a boutique owner or solo entrepreneur, use the colors that make you feel excited every time you visit your own site. And if you’re a realtor, why not break every rule in the book and go all-in on hot pink?
Joy is memorable. So is authenticity.
People want to work with businesses and organizations that feel real, not just "correct." Your website should reflect your brand's personality, not just the standard color wheel.
Tips for Choosing Colors for Your Website:
Start with emotion. What do you want visitors to feel when they land on your site? Inspired? Energized? Grounded?
Think of your audience. Are you attracting families? Corporate clients? Creative collaborators?
Choose 1-2 anchor colors, and build a palette around them. We find a lot of color inspiration in art and nature.
Test for contrast and readability. Bold is great, but make sure your text is still easy to read. Always check your colors in grayscale; you’d be surprised how un-readable certain color combinations can be.
Add an accent. A pop of unexpected color can help draw attention to calls-to-action, buttons, or key content.
And most importantly…
Don’t be afraid to be different!
Your website should spark curiosity, evoke emotion, and be memorable. There is nothing wrong with playing it safe. But daring to stand out might make you unforgettable.
Just like that hot pink real estate sign.
Ready to Build a Website That Stands Out?
At RB Collaborative, we specialize in designing bold, beautiful, strategy-driven websites that reflect who you truly are. Whether you’re starting from scratch or rebranding for your next big move, we’re here to help you make a lasting impression.
Let’s build something memorable together.
CONTACT US to schedule your free consultation.
