Using Colour Psychology in UX Design to Increase Conversions
Colour isn’t decoration, it’s a decision-driver. Research by the Institute for Colour Research shows that people form an opinion about a product within 90 seconds of seeing it, and up to 90% of that judgment is based on colour. For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in the UK competing online, leveraging colour psychology in UX design can mean the difference between a bounce and a conversio Why Colour Matters for UK SMB Websites How Colours Influence User Perception Here are common colour associations in UX that affect user behaviour: Colour Common Associations Ideal Use Cases Blue Trust, stability, security Finance, SaaS, insurance Green Growth, success, sustainability Health, eco, “go” buttons Red Urgency, warning, passion Sale banners, alerts Orange Friendliness, affordability Promotions, CTAs Black Luxury, sophistication Premium product sites 5 Steps to Use Colour Psychology in UX for Conversions 1. Audit Your Existing Palette Run a UX colour audit on your site. Check whether your palette is consistent across all pages, accessible (WCAG contrast), and aligned with your brand message. Tools like Stark or Adobe Colour can help. 2. Map Colours to Conversion Goals Identify your key CTAs (e.g., “Buy Now,” “Book Demo”) and apply a contrasting but brand-aligned colour to draw attention. Keep backgrounds neutral to make CTAs stand out. 3. Test Variations Use A/B testing to experiment with CTA colours. For example, test blue vs green “Sign Up” buttons and measure click-through rates. Make small changes and track metrics. 4. Design for Accessibility Colour-blindness affects about 4.5% of the UK population. Always pair colour with icons or text and ensure high contrast for readability. 5. Maintain Consistency Across Channels From email templates to landing pages, consistent colour use reinforces trust and brand recall. Inconsistent colours erode credibility and increase friction. Real UK Examples Metrics to Track After Implementing Colour Psychology Conclusion Colour psychology in UX design is one of the easiest, lowest-cost levers for SMBs to improve conversions. By auditing your palette, mapping colours to goals, testing variations, and designing for accessibility, you can increase user trust and guide customers to action. At I-NET Software Solutions, we help UK SMBs implement conversion-focused UX design, including colour psychology audits, A/B testing, and accessibility reviews. Book a consultation today to see how small colour changes can deliver big conversion results. For more insights into how design affects business outcomes, read our related blog: UX Audits Explained: How a Simple Review Can Boost Conversions by 30%.