How to Choose Brand Colors

Most successful brands have 1-2 primary colors, 2-3 secondary colors, and neutral colors (grays, blacks, whites). More than 5-6 colors becomes hard to manage and can look chaotic. Focus on a cohesive palette that works well together and supports your brand personality. You can always add accent colors later if needed.

Both approaches can work. Aligning with industry colors (like blue for tech) can build trust and familiarity. Standing out with unique colors can make you memorable and differentiate you. The key is to make an intentional choice based on your brand strategy. If you want to be seen as trustworthy and professional, align. If you want to be seen as innovative and different, stand out.

Test color contrast ratios using tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker. Text should have at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Ensure your colors work on different backgrounds (light and dark). Test with colorblind simulators to ensure your palette is accessible to people with color vision deficiencies. Consider providing alternative color schemes if needed.

You can change your brand colors, but it should be done carefully. Colors are a key part of brand recognition, so changing them can confuse customers. If you need to change colors, do it as part of a rebrand with clear communication to customers. Consider a gradual transition rather than an abrupt change. Test new colors with customers before fully committing.