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Volume II - Issue IV - November 2002
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How to Enhance your Website with Color
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To Use or Not to Use Web Safe Colors; That is the Question.
Have you ever navigated a site and asked yourself, "Why on earth did this designer choose this color as their background? It looks terrible." Have you ever considered that others visiting your website may have asked themselves that very same question? If you are not currently using web safe colors, then perhaps you should choose otherwise.
What exactly are web safe colors?
Web safe colors are HTML-based colors that are seen consistent on all types of monitors and web browsers; capable of displaying 8-bit color (256 colors). These colors are specified in a 6-value, hexadecimal formula, #rrggbb. In other words, three pairs of two numbers. Not all RGB (red, green, blue) colors are web safe. Only the specified 216 web safe colors will be displayed solid and non-dithered. You do not want your colors to appear dithered. Dithered colors appear non-blended, or not mixed. They are displayed as one solid color and then a few light colored dots arranged across the top of the solid color. The EZ-NetTools EZ-Color Picker allows you to select web safe colors using the hexadecimal number as well as by the color name when choosing colors for your text, buttons, and backgrounds. Therefore, you are safe in using the colors that are provided through the tools.
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Why is it important to use web safe colors?
The reason for using colors that are safe on the Internet is very reasonable. For example, you choose a beautiful earth blue as your background color. You are so proud of your new site and the incredible warm feeling that is given. You decide that you are going to show it to your good friend. You've done some bragging to this friend because of the time and effort you have put into your site. He is excited to see your work. You type in the URL address, you are anxious to see your friend's first response. The site is loading, 10 percent, 50, 99, and it is up! Your heart sinks. Your friend's jaw drops, his eyes open wider. "Oh….that's…..mmm….nice." What! Your beautiful earth blue is now a nasty lime green. His monitor displayed the colors differently. Learn from this tragic example and use web safe colors. Be observant when selecting your website's color scheme. Be creative! You have 216 web safe colors that are available to construct beautiful design.
When should I use web safe colors?
As previously mentioned, if you're using a solid background color, you will want to be sure to select a web safe color. This will ensure you from any humiliation that may result from tacky, unwanted color changes. When dealing with text, you want to always use web safe colors as well. If you choose not to, you are taking a risk in that your audience may not be able to read the text clearly. If you select non-web safe colors, some monitors will display the text dithered and broken. And before you know it, you've lost a customer because they simply could not read about your service or product.
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A little side note, identify your audience. If your audience is the general public, moderate computer and Internet users that may have old, antique equipment; then you want to always use web safe text, background, and graphic colors. If your target market consists of persons who deal entirely with computers and have the latest, updated technology; then you can be somewhat lenient with the colors you select. But remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry!
What is the web safe Color Wheel?
The Web Wheel allows the user to select a color, or set of colors, which are web safe and that complement each other when designing websites. The colors on the wheel are placed in the natural order of the spectrum, so that the color themes are easy to find. Usually web safe colors are listed by hexadecimal number, therefore, related colors are not next to each other. The Web Wheel allows you to view similar web safe colors at a glance. EZ-NetTools offers the Web Wheel to our resellers, or you can purchase them at
http://www.colorwheelco.com
Where can I find more information about the web safe color palette?
http://www.web-source.net/216_color_chart.htm
http://www.webdevelopersjournal.com/articles/websafe1/websafe_colors.html
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/pages/Graphics/CTips/ss01.html
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