There are millions of websites on the World Wide Web. Those that have mastered search optimization, found a favorable niche, or offer a service so sought after people are breaking down the metaphorical digital door to get in… will receive millions of views.

Those are the websites we’ll be studying throughout this article. When did you last go to YouTube, Reddit, or Amazon to specifically look at their color scheme? Probably never. But, if you have… you’re most likely a designer.

Why color scheme matters in web design

The color scheme of a website matters because colors are a form of communication that extends beyond language.

According to Tictoc Digital, studies suggest that people subconsciously judge a product within 90 seconds of initial viewing. Up to 90% of that assessment is based on color alone. That’s crazy if you really think about it.

Different colors evoke a range of feelings and emotions. When we associate a brand we like with a certain color, or vice versa, we are more likely to remember that brand. This also means that choosing the right colors for your website can help you stand out, influence customer emotions, and create brand recognition.

How to choose the right color scheme for your website

Before we explore some of the most visited websites and their color palettes, let’s cover some of the basics in case you want to experiment with your own website or help create a color scheme for one of your clients.

When creating the color scheme, it should reflect the brand's identity. Most likely, the brand will already have its chosen colors. When visiting a website, the color scheme should help to convey the brand's personality and can even factor in feelings of the brand's archetype.

For starters, you’ll have a primary color. This will usually be the base color or background color for your website. Next, you’ll have secondary colors, which will complement the primary color and the rest of the website. It’s a good idea to stick to only one or two secondary colors as you don’t want the website to feel overwhelming to visitors. Finally, you will have accent colors that will help to grab the viewer's attention toward things like links or calls-to-action.

When planning the color scheme of the website, think about the future. How do you want visitors to see the site two years, five years, or even ten years from now? A timeless color scheme will help the brand identity and website. Sure, it’s okay to follow trends, but the more consistent you are over time, the more trust you’ll build with your customers.

You’ll also want to take note of the saturation of the colors you are using. Keeping the saturation consistent across the website is important. If you end up having different shades of brightness for the same color across different pages of your site, it can start to look too busy.

Finally, when choosing a color scheme, think of the overall background color of your website. This is going to take up a considerable amount of space. Whether you’re keeping it neutral, having a softer shade of your primary color, or keeping it white, you want to make sure that the color scheme and the background of the site complement each other.

Popular websites and their color schemes

Now for the fun you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to break down some of the most visited websites and their color schemes. In a 2016 article, Wired claimed that the most used color on the internet was Blue, let’s see if that matches with the most popular sites today.

1. Google

Monthly website visits: 177,837,868,701

2. YouTube

Monthly website visits: 117,336,996,220

3. Facebook

Monthly website visits: 18,697,954,212

4. X (Twitter)

Monthly website visits: 8,528,355,048

5. Wikipedia

Monthly website visits: 8,424,120,107

6. Instagram

Monthly website visits: 7,765,324,396

7. Reddit

Monthly website visits: 7,091,062,177

8. Amazon

Monthly website visits: 4,679,806,985

9. Yahoo

Monthly website visits: 4,150,148,802

10. TikTok

Monthly website visits: 3,790,544,433

‍

With each color palette, you’ll notice when a brand decides to move away from straight shades of black and white. The best example from the list would be Reddit, which uses an off-black color, which, believe it or not, makes a difference. Go back and see if you can notice it again.

If you feel like exploring, you can visit each site and notice which is their primary color and which secondary colors are used for accenting and complimenting the site. As you take a look, notice how you feel and how your feeling of each website changes based on the colors selected.

As a designer or creative business owner, when you can cement your own style and decide on the color palette of your dreams, your website clicks and becomes a perfect extension of your personality. We hope this exploration of the most visited sites and their own color palettes has helped you find yours.

‍

This article is brought to you by our Accelerator program. Accelerator is an educational and coaching program tailored for creative entrepreneurs. It offers detailed tutorials, regular coaching sessions, and a curriculum that guides you through launching and growing your creative business.

Accelerator might be just what you need, but we understand everyone's journey is unique. We recommend taking our Find Your Fit quiz to help pinpoint the right Futur™ offering based on your specific goals and stage in your career. Click here to take the quiz.

‍