Branding

Choosing Brand Colors: A Guide for SMEs

Colors communicate more than words. Discover how SMEs can strategically use their brand colors on social media to build recognition and trust.

Made in Switzerland · 14-day free trial
Patrick Bartsch · Co-Founder & Creative Director, publy.ch
Updated March 9, 2026

The Psychology of Colors

Colors trigger unconscious emotions and associations. Blue signals trust and professionalism – it's no coincidence that many banks and tech companies opt for blue. Green stands for nature and sustainability. Red creates urgency and attention. Orange appears friendly and energetic.

Choosing the Right Colors

Your brand colors should fulfill two criteria: They must align with your company values and appeal to your target audience. A kindergarten will choose different colors than a law firm. Also, analyze your competitors' colors – you want to stand out, not blend in.

The Color System: Primary and Secondary Colors

Define a primary color (your main color), a secondary color (as a complement), and an accent color (for highlights). Add to this a neutral background white or gray. This system of three to four colors is perfectly sufficient for a coherent appearance.

Consistent Application

Your colors must be consistent in every post, in every banner, and in every story. Tools like publy.ch store your brand kit and automatically apply the colors to every newly generated post. This guarantees color consistency without manual control.

Considering Accessibility

Ensure that your text is easily readable against your brand colors. White text on a dark shade or black text on a light background are the safest combinations.

Conclusion

Brand colors are one of the strongest identification mechanisms of a brand. Those who use them consistently and strategically build unmistakable brand recognition in a short period.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing the Right Colors?

Your brand colors should fulfill two criteria: They must align with your company values and appeal to your target audience. A kindergarten will choose different colors than a law firm. Also, analyze your competitors' colors – you want to stand out, not blend in.

The Color System: Primary and Secondary Colors?

Define a primary color (your main color), a secondary color (as a complement), and an accent color (for highlights). Add to this a neutral background white or gray. This system of three to four colors is perfectly sufficient for a coherent appearance.

Consistent Application?

Your colors must be consistent in every post, in every banner, and in every story. Tools like publy.ch store your brand kit and automatically apply the colors to every newly generated post. This guarantees color consistency without manual control.

Considering Accessibility?

Ensure that your text is easily readable against your brand colors. White text on a dark shade or black text on a light background are the safest combinations.