how to change color of website background

3 min read 17-01-2025

how to change color of website background

Changing your website's background color is a quick way to refresh its look and feel. It can drastically impact the user experience, enhancing readability and brand consistency. This guide will walk you through how to do it, regardless of your website's platform or coding knowledge.

Understanding Website Backgrounds

Before diving in, let's clarify what we mean by "website background." We're talking about the overall color or image behind your website's content. This isn't the same as changing the color of individual elements like buttons or text.

Method 1: Using a Website Builder (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com)

Most website builders offer user-friendly interfaces to modify your site's aesthetics without needing to write code. Here's a general approach:

Step-by-Step Guide for Website Builders:

Login: Access your website builder's dashboard.
Design/Customize: Locate the design or customization settings. The exact name varies by platform (e.g., "Design," "Customize," "Appearance").
Background Settings: Look for options related to background color or image. This is often found under a "Theme," "Style," or "Background" section.
Select Color: Choose your desired background color using a color picker or by entering a hex code (#000000 for black, #FFFFFF for white, etc.).
Save Changes: Save or publish your changes to see the updated background color on your live website.

Note: The exact steps might differ slightly depending on your specific website builder. Consult your platform's help documentation for detailed instructions.

Method 2: Using CSS (for websites built with HTML/CSS)

If you're working with a website built using HTML and CSS (common for more customized sites), you'll need to modify the CSS code. This requires a bit more technical knowledge.

How to Change Background Color with CSS:

The key CSS property is background-color. You can apply this in different ways:

Inline Styling (Least Recommended): This applies the style directly to an HTML element. It's not ideal for maintainability.

<body style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"> </body>

Internal Stylesheet: This embeds the CSS within the <head> section of your HTML document.

<head>
  <style>
    body {
      background-color: #f0f0f0;
    }
  </style>
</head>

External Stylesheet (Recommended): This keeps your CSS separate in a .css file, making it easier to manage. Link this file to your HTML using the <link> tag. This is the best practice for larger websites.

<!-- In your HTML file -->
<head>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>

<!-- In your style.css file -->
body {
  background-color: #f0f0f0;
}

Replace #f0f0f0 with your desired hex color code. You can also use color names (e.g., lightgray, blue).

Important: After making CSS changes, save your files and refresh your website to see the updates.

Choosing the Right Background Color

Consider these factors when selecting a background color:

Brand Identity: Choose a color that aligns with your brand's logo and overall aesthetic.
Readability: Ensure sufficient contrast between the background and text colors for easy reading. Use tools to check contrast ratios (WCAG guidelines are a good reference).
User Experience: A calming background can enhance user experience, while a vibrant color might be better for attention-grabbing sites.
Accessibility: Choose colors that are accessible to users with visual impairments.

Troubleshooting

Changes not showing: Make sure you've saved your changes and refreshed your browser. Clear your browser's cache if necessary.
Conflicting styles: If you're using CSS, ensure there are no conflicting styles overriding your background color. Use your browser's developer tools to inspect the applied styles.
Website builder limitations: Some website builders might restrict background customization options.

By following these steps, you can easily change your website's background color and give your site a fresh new look. Remember to always prioritize user experience and accessibility when making design choices.