The purpose of a web page is to convey information. The use of colour can either help attract or send people away from a website.

I'm sure many of you have heard of "web safe colours". In the early years of the web, most screens supported a maximum of 256 colours, so a list of 216 colours was suggested as a Web Standard for cross platform support (Mac and PC) - the other 40 colours were for menus etc.

The proportion of web users today with a screen capable of displaying only 256 colours is less than one per cent, allowing designers more freedom with their choice of colour.

There are still small display differences however, with some people using "high colour (16 bit)" and others using "true colour (32 bit)" on their display settings.

Colour is as important to the success of a website as the text on the page.

You must ensure that the colour used reflects the subject of your site and excites the people you are aiming for. Purple, blue or green will create a tranquil mood. Red, on the other hand is a colour of energy and passion.

In 2005 Motorola launched a pink phone aimed at female customers. Sales in the run up to Christmas revealed that 12,500 black and silver handsets had been sold compared to 40,000 pink.

Might be just the colour for your web site if you want a female audience!