The One Thing Every Stunning Website Has in Common (And How to Do It)
Looking to make your Squarespace website really WOW! your visitors? I’ve got one simple tip that’ll transform your site instantly—a cohesive color scheme. I know, it sounds so basic, but trust me — as a Squarespace designer, this is one design secret I swear by. It makes such a HUGE difference in the look and feel of your site. Let me explain why it works and how you can use it to your advantage.
First — Why Color Makes All the Difference
Think of a popular brand like Target. Their signature color - red - is consistent across their website, logo, and marketing. I bet you’re picturing the circular logo in your mind right now! When you walk through their store, what do you see? Red. Everywhere. If I were to remove every sign in the store that said “target” and put you in the middle of the store with a blindfold on, when you took it off you’d immediately know where you were. That’s because colors aren’t just pretty to look at, they send a message! They evoke emotions, influence how we perceive their brand, and help us to recall their brand when we see the color red.
When designing a Squarespace website, it’s important to choose colors that align with your brand values and the message you want to communicate. For instance, a coach might want to use calming tones like blues and greens, while an artist might prefer a more vibrant palette to showcase creativity. By thoughtfully selecting a color scheme, you ensure your website not only looks good but also resonates with your target audience.
The Benefits of a Cohesive Color Scheme
If you’re using a Squarespace Template, the color palette you decide to go with is key. Pick 2-4 colors that align with your brand personality, and keep them consistent throughout your site. You don’t need a million colors to make an impact—just a balanced mix that feels cohesive and professional.
Benefit #1: It Creates Visual Harmony
A consistent color scheme ties your whole website together, making it look sleek and polished. No more overwhelming your visitors with clashing colors—everything flows seamlessly.
Benefit #2: It Boosts Professionalism
The last thing you want is a DIY feel. When you use a well-thought-out color palette, your site looks more put together, boosting your credibility and trust with potential customers.
Benefit #3: It Makes Navigation Easy
Colors can help highlight important sections, like buttons or calls to action. With the right palette, users will find it easier to navigate your site and know where to click next.
How to Choose the Right Colors
Start with Your Brand. If you already have a logo or branding colors, use those as your starting point. If not, think about the vibe you want your website to give off. Is it calming? Energetic? Trustworthy?
Use neutrals with bold accents: Keep backgrounds neutral (white, gray, beige), and use bold colors for buttons or headings. This keeps things modern and easy to read.
Less is almost always more: Limit your color choices to 2-4 key colors. Too many options can make your site feel chaotic.
How to Do It
You have your colors, and you’re ready to start transforming your site. Here’s how you do it:
Create brand imagery using your color palette: The easiest way to accomplish this if you don’t have any images is to book a professional photographer and clearly outline your brand colors before you do the shoot. They’ll help you decide on backgrounds, outfits, and lighting that will support your brand colors. Then when it comes time to fill your site with images, you have a set of on-brand images to choose from.
Use supporting images within your color palette: This is one of my biggest tips. If you need a background or blog image and don’t have one in your suite of branding imagery, go find a stock image that uses your colors. If you look carefully at my site, you’ll see all of my background and layered images are in the same color family as my brand colors. This is INTENTIONAL because I want to keep the look and feel of my site the same across every page.
Bonus Tip! Use your brand colors for Pinterest pins, posts, and other brand material: Can’t stress this one enough! Every time you create a graphic for Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, use your brand colors! This helps enforce your brand colors and identity. Never post anything that’s not on-brand - unless it has a very specific purpose like a special sale or holiday-focused marketing plan. You want your customers to start associating your brand colors with your brand and you should use every opportunity you can to get that color in front of your consumer!
A cohesive color scheme isn’t just about making your website pretty — it’s about creating a unified experience that builds trust and makes your site easier to navigate. Choosing a color scheme that reflects your brand and looks professional is the first step in creating a website that wows. So whether you’re customizing a Squarespace template or working with a Squarespace designer, use this color tip - it’ll make all the difference!