Common Colour Mistakes Small Businesses Make

Published in Design Guides

Colour mistakes can silently undermine your brand and confuse customers. In this guide, we'll explore the most common colour pitfalls small businesses make—and how to avoid them.

Using Too Many Colours

One of the biggest mistakes is cramming too many colours into your branding. When every element is a different colour, nothing stands out, and your brand feels chaotic and unprofessional. Limit yourself to 2-3 main colours plus neutrals. This restraint makes your brand memorable and cohesive.

Choosing Colours Based Purely on Personal Preference

Just because you love a colour doesn't mean it's right for your business. Colour choices should be driven by what your target audience responds to, what your industry expects, and what emotions you want to evoke. Your personal taste should take a back seat to strategic thinking.

Poor Colour Contrast

Text that's hard to read because it blends into the background looks unprofessional and frustrates customers. Light grey text on a light background, or dark text on a dark background, both fail accessibility standards. Always ensure sufficient contrast between foreground and background colours.

Using Trendy Colours That Will Quickly Fade

While it's fine to incorporate current design trends, your primary brand colours should be timeless. If you base your entire identity around a trendy colour, you'll need an expensive rebrand in a few years. Stick with classic, versatile colours that will age well.

Ignoring Colour Psychology

Every colour carries psychological weight. Bright neon may work for a nightclub but damages the credibility of a financial advisor. A luxury brand using garish, overly bright colours will seem cheap. Understand what your colours communicate and choose accordingly.

Inconsistent Colour Use Across Platforms

Using your primary colour as blue in your logo, green on your website, and purple on social media destroys brand recognition. Customers won't connect these elements as part of the same business. Use your colours consistently across all touchpoints—website, printed materials, social media, and signage.

Not Considering Cultural Associations

Colours have different meanings in different cultures. In some cultures, white signifies purity and peace; in others, it's associated with mourning. If you serve diverse customers or international markets, research how your colour choices are perceived across different cultures.

Relying on Digital Colours Without Testing Print

A colour that looks vibrant on your screen may look completely different in print. RGB colours used on websites won't translate perfectly to CMYK used in print materials. Always test your colours in both digital and print formats to ensure consistency.

Related Guides