Practical Sales Training™ > Selling Communication Basics > The Colour Coded Effect
The Colour Coded Effect
Too many choices make people stop. Colour fixes that fast.
The Colour Coded Effect uses colour to group things. Buyers spot the right one at a glance.
But mix up your colours, and you cause confusion.
What Is The Colour Coded Effect?
The Colour Coded Effect uses colour to sort things into groups. Each colour marks one type. This makes things easy to scan.
Why Does The Colour Coded Effect Work?
It works because colour looks good. This taps into the Von Restorff Effect, since bright things stand out. Colour also groups things into natural clusters. This eases mental load and cuts overchoice.
How Can You Use The Colour Coded Effect?
Got a lot to share? Split it into colour groups. Use the same colour every time it shows up. Keep it steady.
When The Colour Coded Effect Works Best
This works best with clear, separate groups. It also suits big lists, like course menus. More choices mean colour helps more.
When The Colour Coded Effect Becomes Dangerous
It turns risky when your colours don’t match up. Green on your site but blue in your emails confuses buyers fast. That breaks the whole idea.
Too many colours cause the same issue. Stick to a few, or the system stops being simple.
Common Colour Coded Effect Mistakes
Mixed Colours Across Channels
Some brands use colour on their site, then drop it in emails. This breaks the pattern buyers learned. Keep colours the same, everywhere.
Too Many Colours
Adding a new colour for every small change misses the point. Stick to a few clear groups. More colours just means more to recall.
The Colour Coded Effect – An Example
A Training Company Selling Multiple Courses
A firm selling sales training could colour code its courses. This helps buyers pick fast and skip the overwhelm.
- Blue for beginner courses (e.g., Sales Fundamentals)
- Green for intermediate courses (e.g., Handling Objections)
- Red for advanced/mastery courses (e.g., Negotiation Psychology)
- Yellow for bonus content or special offers
These colours stay the same on the site, in emails, and on calls. A buyer sees green and knows it’s mid level right away. That helps them choose fast.
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