Colors are powerful, and create strong feelings. They can also make your web site look professional – or look like a circus. Here are some powerful tips you should use every time you create a web site:

1 – Use contrasting colors

It is important to have contrast between the text and the background color, so that the material on your web page is easy to read. Many successful sites use dark text on a light background (or vice versa).

While light text on a dark background may be easy for some people to read, it’s important to use this approach sparingly.

2 – Less is more

Just because you can put 58 different colors on your web site, doesn’t mean that you should. If you throw color in everywhere, it will lose its impact. A good rule is that for maximum impact, use one color on head lines, and a different but complementary color for normal text.

3 - Complementary colors don’t complement

Colors that you see on opposite sides of the color wheel are called complementary colors. For example, orange is opposite of blue on the color wheel. When you use complementary colors side by side, they make a web page difficult to see, because it is hard for your eyes to focus on both. Also, the colors may seem to clash when viewed together.

When you create a web site, use the tips above when you select your colors. Your site will look great, and your visitors will thank you.

Herb and Monica Leibacher operate Web Builder Express. Create a professional web site for your business or non-profit organization with Web Builder Express. At http://www.WebBuilderExpress.com, you can request your free Quick Start Guide that tells you how to create a great web site.