Most bloggers and entrepreneurs recognise the importance of good branding but why then don’t they know how to implement it? Over the past few weeks I covered the techie side of setting up your website, but today and for the rest of the week I thought I’d touch on the importance of keeping your colours and fonts inline with your branding.

Now, I’ll be honest, this is something I struggle with myself but with heaps of research I am proud to say that my font pairing and colour choices have become a whole lot better, so yes you can get there too!

Here are 8 steps for creating, refining and implementing the perfect colour scheme for your blog or website.

1. Know your target audience
In order to attract your ideal client you need to first define exactly who they are. Are they male or female? What age are they? What are they interested in? What do they read?

The more detailed the description is of your ideal client the easier it will be to choose the right colour scheme. Remember your branding isn’t about you, it’s about your ideal clients – what will appeal to them? what will make them stick around and purchase your products?

2. Understand the effects colours can have
Everyone knows that colour evokes emotions; by fully understanding the effects that colour can have on our emotions will make a difference in how our business, brand and website is perceived.

I found this lovely graphic on Home Decor Ideas which loving illustrates the effects of each colour.

3. Match the tone of your business
A light happy beauty blog has a very different tone to a corporate company that’s why using the same colours for both just wouldn’t work. As with a funeral company, it’s not a happy occasion so you’d go with a colour palette that suits the mood.

4. Create a mood board
Yes I am giving you full permission to play on Pinterest…

Inspiration boards can be very useful for determining the visual branding of your business and website. Over time you’ll notice the pictures you start pulling together have certain elements in common and may create a story for you. Having an inspiration board can act as a guideline for choosing the right colours and will help you to keep your branding consistent.

5. Create a logo
Investing in a logo creates the basis of your branding and will help your audience recognise and identify with your business. Having a logo makes it easier to choose a colour palette as the colours used on your website should be inline with your logo, deviate from your logo and you will lose your brand identity.

Your colour palette can be extended should your logo only consist of a colour or two. I love to use Coolors.co to help generate suitable matching colours for my existing palettes.

6. Stick to 3 colour schemes
A basic web tip is to choose 2 neutral colours and one accent colour for things like your links, sign up buttons and calls to action.

Less is more comes to mind here. I’ve seen many black, white and grey blogs and thought they looked amazing!

7. Ensure consistency
To grow your brand loyalty and to create good brand recognistion be consistent. Ensure the colours are the same on your blog, social media platforms and any other collateral material.

8. Colour Picker Resources
Coolors.co – The best for finding suitable colour matches for your existing palettes
Design Seeds – For colour inspiration
Colour Lovers – Explore the latest trends in colour