Choosing fonts and colours might not seem like a big deal when you’re building a website, but they play a huge part in how your site feels, how easy it is to read, and how professional it looks. You don’t need to be a designer to get this right. A few simple tips can help you choose fonts and colours that make your website look polished and feel like you.
In earlier posts, we talked about the pages you need on your website, and how to plan and write your content. Now, it’s time to bring all of that to life visually.
Let’s break down how to pick fonts and colours with confidence, even if design isn’t your thing.
First impressions matter. Your fonts and colours are part of what people notice straight away when they land on your website. Are you professional? Fun? Modern? Relaxed? A lot of that is communicated through design.
It’s also about usability. If your font is hard to read or your colours are clashing, people might click away before they’ve even read what you offer. Good choices keep people on the page and make it easier for them to take action.
Fonts: Keep It Simple and Clear
Fonts are the styles of letters you see on a website. You don’t need to use anything fancy. In fact, simple and clean is usually best.
1. Stick to Two Fonts
A general rule is to use one font for headings and one for body text. You can use different weights (like bold or light) or sizes to create variety without switching fonts completely. Too many different fonts can make a website look messy and hard to follow.
2. Choose Fonts That Are Easy to Read
Some fonts might look stylish, but they can be difficult to read on a screen. Choose fonts that are clear and readable. Sans-serif fonts (like Arial, Lato or Open Sans) are great for a modern look. Serif fonts (like Georgia or Merriweather) give a more traditional feel.
Avoid using decorative or script fonts for your main text. If you like them, save them for things like logos or callout headings, where they can stand out without affecting readability.
3. Think About Size and Spacing
Make sure your body text is big enough to read comfortably on phones and tablets. Usually, 16px is a good size to start with. Use enough space between lines so the text doesn’t look squashed. A line height of around 1.5 times the font size is usually a good guide.
Choosing Colours That Work
Colour helps set the mood of your website and can also guide people through your content. It’s a big part of your brand’s visual identity.
1. Pick a Colour Palette
You don’t need loads of colours. A small, consistent palette will help your site look tidy and professional. Try starting with:
One main colour – for headlines, buttons or key areas
One or two supporting colours – for backgrounds or accents
Neutral colours – like white, grey or black for text and backgrounds
If you already have a logo, you might want to take colours from there.
There are plenty of tools online that can help you create a palette. One to try is Coolors.co, where you can generate colour schemes based on a colour you like.
2. Make Sure There’s Enough Contrast
Your text needs to stand out from the background. If you’re using a pale colour in the background, go for dark text. If your background is dark, choose light text. Good contrast helps everyone read your content, especially those with visual impairments.
WebAIM’s Contrast Checker is a handy tool to test your colours and make sure they’re readable.
3. Be Consistent
Once you’ve picked your colours, use them the same way across your site. For example, if your call-to-action buttons are blue, keep them blue on every page. This helps build trust and makes your site easier to use.
A Quick Note on Templates and Themes
If you’re using a website builder like Wix, Squarespace or WordPress.com, you’ll likely choose a template or theme. These often come with set font and colour options, which is a great starting point.
Still, it’s a good idea to check if the colours and fonts reflect your brand. Most builders allow you to tweak these settings without needing to write any code.
Keeping Mobile in Mind
We mentioned earlier how important it is that your font size is readable on mobile. The same goes for colour. What looks good on a big screen might be too bold or overwhelming on a smaller one. Always check your site on a mobile device to make sure everything still feels balanced and clear.
Free Tools to Help You Choose
Here are a few tools to make the process easier:
Google Fonts – A wide range of free fonts that are web-safe
Coolors.co – For building colour palettes
Font Pair – Helps you find font combinations that work well together
Canva Colour Palette Generator – Upload an image and get colours that match
🧠 Final Thought
You don’t need to overthink it. The best font and colour choices are the ones that support your message, reflect your brand, and make your site easy to read. Keep things simple, test how your site looks across different devices, and aim for consistency.