In the world of web design, color selection plays a crucial role in user experience. One of the contentious trends is creating dark websites where backgrounds are mainly black or dark shades. Despite some aesthetics and originality, there are several reasons why a dark website can be a bad decision for corporate sites.
1. **Difficulty in Reading Content:** Dark backgrounds on web pages introduce difficulties in reading content, which becomes a central aspect of hindering user satisfaction. Even when using contrasting text colors, readability of content on dark backgrounds is limited, which may negatively affect the reception of information, especially for people with different vision problems. For those with visual impairments, dark backgrounds create barriers to efficient reading, leading to frustration and loss of interest in the website. Additionally, for people without vision problems, the need to focus on content on a dark background can be tiring for the eyes, which may discourage longer stays on the site. As a result, difficulties in reading content pose a significant challenge to increasing the usability and attractiveness of web pages, which may negatively affect the image and effectiveness of corporate websites.
2. **Eye Strain:** Prolonged viewing of dark screens characteristic of dark-themed websites can lead to significant eye strain. Lighter, more neutral-colored websites are considered more user-friendly because contrast between text and background is easier for human vision to process. Dark backgrounds require more effort from the eyes since they need to adjust to less natural lighting conditions, which may lead to faster fatigue and discomfort.
Users are generally more inclined to stay on sites where reading text is easy and doesn’t require excessive visual effort. Prolonged use of dark themes can lead to decreased user comfort and limited interaction with website content. As a result, eye strain presents a significant challenge for retaining users on the site for longer periods, which may affect the effectiveness of information transmission and business objectives.
3. **Challenge in Adaptation Across Various Contexts:** Prolonged viewing of dark screens characteristic of dark-themed websites can lead to significant eye strain. Lighter, more neutral-colored websites are considered more user-friendly because contrast between text and background is easier for human vision to process. Dark backgrounds require more effort from the eyes since they need to adjust to less natural lighting conditions, which may lead to faster fatigue and discomfort.
Users are generally more inclined to stay on sites where reading text is easy and doesn’t require excessive visual effort. Prolonged use of dark themes can lead to decreased user comfort and limited interaction with website content. As a result, eye strain presents a significant challenge for retaining users on the site for longer periods, which may affect the effectiveness of information transmission and business objectives.
4. **Lack of Universality:** Dark backgrounds on websites can lead to a lack of universality. While there are industries or projects where dark aesthetics might be appropriate, for others, especially those associated with professionalism or serious services, it might not work in their favor. In areas requiring the transmission of serious information such as business service companies or educational institutions, dark themes may be perceived as inappropriate.
Universality is key to a website’s effectiveness, particularly if it represents a company or organization. Lighter backgrounds are generally considered more neutral and easier to accept by diverse groups of recipients. The lack of universality in dark backgrounds can lead to reduced reach for the website and difficulties in attracting various client or user groups. As a result, selecting website color schemes should be intentionally adapted to the specificity of industries and the character of transmitted content.
5. **Worse Search Engine Visibility:** Dark websites may encounter challenges related to visibility in search engine results. Algorithms used by internet search engines prefer sites where text is readable, and backgrounds are light. Therefore, dark-themed websites might have lower visibility and worse positions in search engine results.
In the online environment, where competition for user attention is intense, high position in search engine results has a crucial role in effective visibility of brands. Dark backgrounds can be barriers to optimal indexing by search engine robots, leading to lower rankings in search engine results. Users often only browse the first page of results, making sites placed on lower positions less visible and harder to attract potential clients.
For corporate website owners, it is essential to consider search engine algorithms’ preferences and adapt website design to increase its online visibility. Lighter backgrounds with clearly readable, contrasting text are favorable for better content indexing by search engines, which translates into effective promotion of the company in the network.
6. **Reduced Accessibility:** Dark websites can create challenges related to accessibility for people with disabilities, such as those with visual impairments or seniors. Lighter sites with light backgrounds and contrasting text are more accessible and friendly to various user groups.
People with vision deficits, like difficulties in distinguishing colors or decreased ability to adapt to dark environments, may find it hard to read content on dark themes. For these users, lighter backgrounds with contrasting text make the environment significantly friendlier, allowing easier access to information on the site.
Additionally, an aging population that might experience reduced visual acuity also prefers sites with light backgrounds where content is clearly visible. Accessibility for diverse social groups is a critical aspect of web design, and light backgrounds are a key element in ensuring equal access to information for all users.
7. **Less Professional Appearance:** In many cases, dark backgrounds on websites can be perceived as less professional. Corporate sites often strive to present themselves as credible and competent sources of information, which may be harder to achieve with dark themes.
For industries associated with professional services, such as legal or financial, light backgrounds are associated with seriousness and reliability. Lighter backgrounds create a clean, elegant background that supports viewing the site as a place for reliable information or services. Dark themes might be interpreted as less formal and inappropriate for business-oriented, professional branding.
It’s also worth noting that the first impression of a website visitor can have significant importance. A professionally designed and well-maintained website appearance can encourage users to stay on the site longer, which affects their perception of the brand or company. For many businesses, light backgrounds are preferred to reflect seriousness and professionalism.
In summary, while dark websites may be appealing in certain contexts, for corporate sites it’s worth considering practicality and readability to ensure a positive user experience. Lighter and readable websites generally have broader applications and are more user-friendly for various recipient groups.
