As a digital agency with a focus on data and measurable results, we know how important it is to make sure your website works - not just visually, but also user-friendly.
One of the more overlooked aspects of user-friendly design is colour choice - and we're not just talking about aesthetics or branding colours.
We think about accessibility. For everyone.
When you're designing digital solutions for businesses that your customers use every day, colour contrasts play a bigger role than you might think. The contrast ratio between text and background can determine whether a visually impaired user reads your content - or gives up after two seconds.
And it's not just about blind or fully colour-blind users. In fact, it's estimated that up to 300 million people worldwide have low vision or some form of colour blindness. This includes, for example, people with age-related visual impairment - a group often found among decision makers in B2B companies.
Then ask yourself: Is your website designed to include them?
A colour contrast checker is an online tool that helps you analyse whether the colours in your design meet the official accessibility guidelines, especially as defined by WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
It's not just about regulatory compliance. It's about delivering better user experiences. And let's be honest - a better user experience often means Better conversion.
Here are three concrete steps you can follow to find and apply available colours using colour contrast tools. It's practical, fast and delivers results on both usability and SEO.
First, locate the colour combinations you use on your website. This applies to text, background, buttons, links and other graphic navigation.
If you already have a visual identity, we recommend that you start with the defined colours from here. But it's also a good idea to look at the entire user experience:
If you're using CSS or a design library, you can quickly find the colour codes. Otherwise, tools like browser extensions (e.g. ColorZilla or Eye Dropper) are great for getting colours directly from the view.
The next step is to enter your colour codes into a tool that can show you the contrast ratio. Here are some of our favourites:
You need to make sure the contrast ratio complies with WCAG 2.1 - minimum requirements are
The great thing is that the tool quickly shows you which combinations work - and which ones you should adjust.
It scares many companies to hear that their branding colours don't meet accessibility requirements. But that doesn't mean you have to change your entire visual identity.
Often, with small adjustments to brightness or hue, you can lift the contrast enough to meet the requirements - without changing the look significantly.
For example, if your primary colour is blue (#007BFF) but doesn't work against white text, you can try a darker version (e.g. #0056b3) and test it in the colour tool.
Many of the tools will give you suggestions on what changes you can make to achieve the contrast goals. From here, simply implement the corrections in the CSS or your design library.
You might be thinking: What do available colours have to do with my SEO?
A lot, actually.
Google prioritises user experience - and accessibility is an important part of that. A website with correct colour contrast results in lower bounce rates, longer visit times and therefore better signals to search engines. And the positive side effect? Your customers get a design that works - for everyone.
Tech companies are often all about performance and complex functionality. But what good is it if the customer's 58-year-old purchasing manager can't read the contact button?
This is where small design changes with big effects come in. A small contrast check can be the difference between a conversion - and a lost customer.
If you don't have answers to all these questions, it's probably time to take another look at your web design. Usability shouldn't be a compromise - it should be a foundation.
Accessible web design is neither complicated nor boring. It's all about details. Colours. Brightness. Contrast.
If you want to run a website that performs well and works for everyone - then accessibility tools like colour contrast control are your friend.
These three steps will take you a long way:
Web design is ultimately about one thing: Making it easy to understand and act - for all users. Even those who see the world a little differently.
Would you like to discuss how we can improve accessibility while maintaining your brand identity? Then let's have a chat. We work with tech companies every day - and know how to create digital solutions that work in practice.
Do you have a project you would like to discuss with us, or would you like to hear how we can help you achieve better results?
Contact us to learn more about the possibilities.
Visit us here:
Herstedvang 8, 2620 Albertslund
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