Looking To Brand Your Business Online, Need To Know What's The Right Colors?

Mr Sultan

10 years ago

Wow this is something that needs to be taken into consideration.

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The Niche Man

10 years ago

Example:
Although most fast food giants have the use of colors down to a science. Mc Donalds does it best. Most three years olds recognize a Mc Donalds sign when they can't even read or barely talk. But they can point there tiny finger and say or (mumble) ...

"Mc Donalds!"

That's how powerful color placement branding is.

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Carter Boatright

10 years ago

Originally Posted by The Niche Man

Example:
Although most fast food giants have the use of colors down to a science. Mc Donalds does it best. Most three years olds recognize a Mc Donalds sign when they can't even read or barely talk. But they can point there tiny finger and say or (mumble) ...

"Mc Donalds!"

That's how powerful color placement branding is.

True, Mcdonalds is a great example, not only is their brand recognizable to anyone at this point, but Red triggers stimulation, appetite, hunger, it attracts attention. Yellow triggers the feelings of happiness and friendliness. That's why they used these colors.

Blue also seems to have a powerful effect. Just look at who's using blue: Facebook, Paypal, Stripe, Getresponse, Twitter, etc..

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Tom Addams

10 years ago

I love this post. Thanks for sharing, Gregory.

A long time ago, we're talking around 17 years, I do remember covering this while at university. Nothing major, just something that cropped up. It stuck with me and years later I remember reading some resources about this and I've applied the knowledge ever since. Your post, though, reminds me to look further into this, refresh the old melon as it were. Thank you!!

GRM

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gregorybaskin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Get Rich Methods

I love this post. Thanks for sharing, Gregory.

A long time ago, we're talking around 17 years, I do remember covering this while at university. Nothing major, just something that cropped up. It stuck with me and years later I remember reading some resources about this and I've applied the knowledge ever since. Your post, though, reminds me to look further into this, refresh the old melon as it were. Thank you!!

GRM

No problem at all!

Sharing is caring, and this is something that I believe people should take into consideration.

Glad I could spark some interest and help out.

(There were MORE in depth websites but they are easy to find using Google).

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Steve B

10 years ago

I'm not sure that color plays a significant role in a tiny child's recognition of the McDonalds brand.

That little tyke recognizes McDonalds because he sees it on TV and billboards many times every day and his parents take him to eat out often . . . it has nothing to do with the fact that McDonalds chose good colors, IMO.

I'm not saying that color doesn't play a role in branding - I believe that it does. There is a reason many of the top Internet sites incorporate dark blue into their web site and logo branding.

But in this case . . . I'm just saying a three year old, IMO, isn't too concerned about business branding colors, subconsciously or not.

Steve

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The Niche Man

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve B

I'm not sure that color plays a significant role in a tiny child's recognition of the McDonalds brand.

. . . it has nothing to do with the fact that McDonalds chose good colors, IMO.
Steve

So, if Mc Donald's were to suddenly change their Ad signs color to green and purple you think the child would associate it as quickly with Mc Donald's?

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onSubie 10 years ago

Originally Posted by The Niche Man

So, if Mc Donald's were to suddenly change their Ad signs color to green and purple you think the child would associate it as quickly with Mc Donald's?

I think the kids would figure it out a lot more quickly than the adults....

And I actually do think kids would associate it fairly quickly. They are quick and eager to learn which is why they are so easy to market to.

Shamrock shakes are green.

Grimace is purple.

You are still within the "rainbow of McDonalds" ... LOL
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Steve B

10 years ago

Originally Posted by The Niche Man

So, if Mc Donald's were to suddenly change their Ad signs color to green and purple you think the child would associate it as quickly with Mc Donald's?

That's not what I'm pointing out at all.

My post was about children recognizing McDonalds because their parents take them there and because they see the ads for McDonalds over and over again across multiple media platforms every day. The golden arches could be lime green and kids would still respond if that's what McDonalds had chosen for their colors in the beginning and if that's what kids had drummed into their brains over the years.

I don't think the colors that McDs chose originally have anything to do with a 3-year-old begging Mom to take them to the playland for lunch.

Kids recognize McDonalds because of their heavy, heavy ad branding campaigns and because most little kids go there so often, not because the arches are golden and that triggers some unconscious feeling in a little kid.

Steve

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The Niche Man

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve B

The golden arches could be lime green and kids would still respond if that's what McDonald's had chosen for their colors in the beginning and if that's what kids had drummed into their brains over the years.

I agree, but they didn't. They chose red and yellow, so that's what helps make it so brand recognizable the world over and even by 3 year olds. If they suddenly changed colors most adults would hesitate or at least do a double take, let alone a child.

Originally Posted by Steve B

I don't think the colors that McDs chose originally have anything to do with a 3-year-old begging Mom to take them to the playland for lunch.

That may be a bit of a stretch in itself, but color does play a role in "recognition". Which in turn may cause the 3 year old reaction you expressed. I've seen it happen many times, first hand. I say it because children recognize colors and color associations long before they recognize words. I don't think it all happened by chance or luck. Mc Donald's knew what they were doing, all the way down to the "brand logo color" details.

Pre-schooler's unable to read still know catsup is supposed to be red, vegetables green, and milk white. And when riding down the freeway, many know the red sign with the golden M is McDonald's. That's all I'm sayin'.

Of course we both can just throw our opinions back and forth. But why? Studies have been done already. For example here's one reported by ABC News.
Pay special attention to the next to last paragraph as it relates to color.
By the way good discussion.

[/QUOTE]

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.X.

10 years ago

This is a great topic, but you can't express anything
about YOUR business by copying the color combinations
of another.

Who wants to send the McDonald's message? They
use rudimentary hues because those colors do gain
the attention of a child, so rudimentary hues are great
getting attention (notice all road signs use hues).

But if the child had been exposed to that green/purple
combination as much as the yellow/red, yes, they'd
respond. The Golden Arches, BTW, appeared long
before McDonald's became a juggernaut.

In fact, who knew that McDonald's OFFICIALLY
changed the red background to green two years ago
to convey the "green" message?

There is nothing inborn that causes a child to
respond to that yellow/red color combination.

Additionally, lost in this conversation is that "red"
or "yellow" come in numerous color variations and
the explanation of color and branding here only
touch the surface.

Pure hues produce a striking contrast that,
unconsciously, send a different message than
the "tint", "tone" or "shade".

If selling adventure, use shades - if selling light-hearted
fun, use "tints" (see Baskin Robbins).

Originally Posted by The Niche Man

So, if Mc Donald's were to suddenly change their Ad signs color to green and purple you think the child would associate it as quickly with Mc Donald's?

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The Niche Man

10 years ago

Originally Posted by .X.

This is a great topic, but you can't express anything
about YOUR business by copying the color combinations
of another.)

You don't want to copy. But you might want to consider, adapting, modeling and adjusting based on what's proven successful. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.

Originally Posted by .X.

In fact, who knew that McDonald's OFFICIALLY
changed the red background to green two years ago
to convey the "green" message?

I didn't know that. The green background yes. But the arches still the same though, right?

Originally Posted by .X.

There is nothing inborn that causes a child to
respond to that yellow/red color combination.

Now is that opinion or based on scientific research, is there a study you can refer me to?

Originally Posted by .X.

Additionally, lost in this conversation is that "red"
or "yellow" come in numerous color variations and
the explanation of color and branding here only
touch the surface. .

I agree, in fact my guess is the most sophisticated and costly research ever done to date is merely touching the surface. There's probably still tons of stuff we don't know. That's why I resist being so quick to say what is possible or not on this subject. I know enough about this subject to know, we still don't know that much.

Originally Posted by .X.

Pure hues produce a striking contrast that,
unconsciously, send a different message than
the "tint", "tone" or "shade".

If selling adventure, use shades - if selling light-hearted
fun, use "tints" (see Baskin Robbins).

Good informatin about hues, tint, tone and shade. That sounds like a whole other level to this subject. Even deeper. Good share.

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onSubie

10 years ago

Originally Posted by gregorybaskin

Excerpt: "RED: Red activates your pituitary gland, increasing your heart rate and causing you to breathe more rapidly. This visceral response makes red aggressive, energetic, provocative and attention-grabbing. Count on red to evoke a passionate response, albeit not always a favorable one. For example, red can represent danger or indebtedness."

Exactly why Valentine's Day is so angry and aggressive. No wonder- with all the red evoking unfavourable passion.

Forget Christmas, you see Santa's suit and you practically feel like punching your neighbour.

Believe me- seeing red in your brand or logo is not going to inflame your market with unfavourable passion and it is not going to make your customers more aggressive.

All you have to do is look at the colours used in a cross section of brands to see that this psychological analysis of colours for marketing is dubious as best.

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ElGuapo

10 years ago

Ha, just what I need right now. Thanks for the link, Gregory.

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Brent Stangel

10 years ago

it has nothing to do with the fact that McDonalds chose good colors, IMO.

When my son was tiny he could spot McDs way before me. The reason - the big "M".

So, if Mc Donald's were to suddenly change their Ad signs color to green and purple you think the child would associate it as quickly with Mc Donald's?

Absolutely, without a doubt, every time!

to see that this psychological analysis of colours for marketing is dubious as best.

I haven't done extensive testing of "brand" colors but I know Google did a lot of research into the color of the Adwords interface. It's Blue.

I do know for a fact (from testing) that when I was selling money making info. through the use of full page flyers, Gold out pulled every other color I had available, by far.

The "dubious" theory behind it is that it looks like Gold. I don't know if that's right but I do know what my test results were.

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The Niche Man 10 years ago

Originally Posted by Brent Stangel

When my son was tiny he could spot McDs way before me. The reason - the big "M".
.

Yes, mine too Brent, most parents can repeat a similar story if they have or have had small children. But it's not just the M, it's the Big yellow M ... with the bright red background. No doubt what it is.

Suddenly make it a purple M or arch, with a black background and you'd balk, hesitate , maybe even question ... admit it.
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Janice Sperry

10 years ago

I think your website/branding colors should also match the niche or the type of people you are targeting not just the mood you hope to create.

Are you branding for young surfers, moms relaxing with tea, high finance managers, snowboarders, people interested in cats, woodworkers, punk rockers,... ?

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NeedBucksNow

10 years ago

Good post. Wonder if he meant the color red by itself. McDonalds has the gold M & Santa has the white in his suit. I do believe this plays a role as a site with red letters or background make me want to "stop" reading it.

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gregorybaskin

10 years ago

Colors play an emotional role in everything that we do. We have some sort of stimulus response to the five senses and the majority of those five sense is "sight", smell and touch.

So why not take full advantage using the stimulus response behind color branding or colors in general?

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The Niche Man

10 years ago

Originally Posted by gregorybaskin

Colors play an emotional role in everything that we do. We have some sort of stimulus response to the five senses and the majority of those five sense is "sight", smell and touch.

So why not take full advantage using the stimulus response behind color branding or colors in general?

Couldn't have said it better myself. Not using it is like ignoring the tons of research that's already been done and available for all to see.

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gregorybaskin 10 years ago

Originally Posted by The Niche Man

Couldn't have said it better myself. Not using it is like ignoring the tons of research that's already been done and available for all to see.

Absolutely!! The BIG corporations have spent millions on the research and testing...who better to learn from - for FREE?
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