Advertising & Marketing

3 Colors That Make People Want to Spend Money

Which Colors Attract Customers?

Are there specific colors that make people want to spend money? What colors will encourage your prospects to take action? The desired action could be buying your product, contributing to your cause, applying to your company, joining your faith-based organization, or calling you for services. In terms of conversion, does color matter?

Yes! There’s ample evidence that color affects mood. Blue is calming, red is intense. And moods affect action. But will your choice of color for your promotional pen or other giveaway item really affect your chances of getting a customer, donation, or committed employee? You bet! Colors signal response.

Following are three colors to consider:

Red: The Color for Action

You’ll see an intense red used in logos of companies whose brands are about action, like Coca Cola, CNN, and the Red Cross. Use bright red for your giveaway if your brand’s adrenaline-driven, from something serious like saving lives or seriously fun like winning a game. Check out:

In other settings, red is best used in moderation. Too much red is akin to typing in all caps or using exclamation points at the end of every sentence. If you want the richness without the “stop sign” edge, opt for a darker red. Like this:

Red in your giveaway gets your customers’ attention and helps motivate action driven by intensity or urgency.

Blue: The Color for Credibility

Blue connotes calm, and sometimes cold. If your brand’s about being trustworthy, conservative, or traditional, consider blue. Note that companies that use blue in their branding are often looking to position themselves as rock solid in industries that can provoke anxiety (think taxes and doctors’ visits!). AmericanExpress, Blue Cross, Boeing, and PayPal use blue.

If this sounds like you, consider the color blue to attract customers. Accent it with yellow to establish trust with a lighter side (like WalMart does). Check out:

Blue in your giveaway helps establish calm and credibility among your target audience and incentivizes action based upon confidence and trust.

Green: The Color for Healing

Green’s still the color of money but today it’s just as often the color of eco-friendly companies, causes, and products. Companies like Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Land Rover use green to imply a natural or outdoor orientation.

If your brand is about what’s natural—whether that’s the environment, good health, or healing, green sends the message. Consider:

You may already be eco-friendly, or perhaps you’re marketing a new business and want to lend your name to the good, green fight. In either case, a little green in your giveaway signals to customers that you have an earth-friendly orientation and this encourages conscience-driven action.

So…Which Colors Attract Customers?

Depends on the customer. And the company! When it comes to colors that make people want to spend money, consider the complete package. Use the color that accentuates what your brand stands for and what you offer your customer.

If you’re a life insurance company offering peace of mind, try a blue background. If you’re a vegan restaurant offering restorative food, consider a little green. If you’re a security company offering home protection, maybe a spot of red.

What’s Your Take?

What’s your industry, who’s your customer, and what colors work best to attract your customers and sell your products, services, and causes? Drop us a note on FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. And enjoy promoting your awesome brand!

Karleen Wise Andersen

From marketing tips to product recommendations, I’m here to help small businesses be their best.

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