Backgrounds

There are several different background attributes using CSS. This tutorial covers the main aspects:

• Advice on using backgrounds on your web site
• Changing the background colour of the page
• Changing the background image of the page
• Positioning your background
• Repeating your background
• ‘Background’ Tip

Advice on Using Backgrounds

Backgrounds are an undeniably essential part of a page’s design; most visitors dislike the naturally harsh white colour of a page, which suggests lack of attention and unoriginality. However, your visitors can also be turned away by your choice of background. If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, it is probably better to choose a different background image and/or colour for your website.

• Is my background very bright or neon coloured?
• Will my background clash with my choice of text colour (or vice versa)?
• Is my background animated?
• Is my background very ‘busy’ and ‘fussy’ and does that make my text difficult to read, or my eyes hurt?
• Have I chosen my background because I like it rather than because it suits my layout and/or colour scheme?

Remember to check your choice of image/colour on other computers if possible. There are a range of different screens on the market today (not to mention the personal altering of colour that people do manually), and your background may look very different on someone else’s screen.
The key phrase: If in doubt, ask a friend to help out!

Changing the Background Colour