Is Your Website Hurting Users’ Eyes? The Benefits Of Dark Mode In Web Design.

By Neil Kilgallon on Monday, 11 November 2024

ID Studio discusses the practical benefits and steps of incorporating dark mode into a website's design.

What Is Dark Mode?

In its basic form, dark mode is a function that changes a website's colour from light to dark. Generally, the background of a website or mobile app is white, and the text is black. In dark mode, this is reversed, with the background becoming black and the text white.

There are medical reasons that explain how your eyes constrict (become smaller) with dark text on a light background and how this is reversed when in dark mode (pupils dilate, become larger, and let more light in). This article will not go into detail on this and will focus more on why you should consider offering a dark mode version of your website and what needs to happen to facilitate this.

Why Dark Mode Matters On Websites

Numerous studies indicate that using dark mode can help reduce eye strain. Eye strain has become a significant concern as we increasingly consume digital content. Anyone who reads on an iPad or phone at night will attest that it's much more comfortable when dark mode is activated.

It is also becoming common for users to set their browsers to dark mode during the day, finding the experience more pleasant even in light conditions.

Additionally, most modern smartphones and tablets use OLED and AMOLED screens. Dark mode consumes less power, extending battery life for mobile and tablet users. According to Night Eye, the dark mode can save up to 63% on battery life when using an AMOLED screen.

Key Considerations When Considering Dark Mode Integration On A Website

When our web design agency implements dark mode for a client, we consider three primary elements, ensuring we create a more usable and enjoyable website for visitors.

• Contrast Ratios Between Text & The Background: To ensure readability, there must be a significant contrast between the text and the background.
• Avoid High-SaturationColours: Avoid bright, highly saturated colours, as they can strain the eyes and lead to an unpleasant user experience.
• Accessibility Compliance: You must be aware of and review accessibility standards to make dark mode user-friendly for all visitors, including those with vision impairments.
• User Preference: Making users choose a light or dark mode reduces their ability to select their preferred format. Give them the option to toggle between light and dark modes according to their comfort.
• Ensure Usability Testing: Perform usability tests to verify that your dark mode works smoothly across different devices and browsers.
• Maintain Brand Consistency: Tailor your dark theme to reflect your brand’s identity while ensuring it remains user-friendly and visually cohesive.

How To Implement Dark Mode On A Website

Below is a short guide on how ID Studio implements dark mode on your website. This process covers essential CSS and JavaScript techniques and best practices to ensure a smooth user experience.

Designing a Dark Theme:

• Choosing A Colour Palette: Select suitable colours to ensure readability, steering clear of pure black, as it can be overly harsh. Dark grey is a better background colour option.
• Typography Adjustments: Ensure text remains legible and balanced against the darker background.
   

Coding Techniques:

• CSS Variables: Use custom CSS properties to simplify theme switching and ensure a smooth transition between light and dark modes.
• Media Queries: Integrate the @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) rule to automatically detect and adapt to users' system preferences for dark mode. This can result in the site automatically selecting the mode they prefer and choose in general.
• User Toggle Implementation: Incorporate an interactive toggle or button on your site to allow users to manually switch between light and dark themes, enhancing user control and personalisation.

Final Thoughts On the Use Of Dark Mode With Website Design

This article has explored the reasons for including dark mode in your website design. Dark mode can significantly improve user experience by reducing eye strain, especially during nighttime or extended screen time use. The energy efficiency offered by dark mode, particularly on OLED and AMOLED screens, further underscores its practicality by prolonging device battery life. When incorporating dark mode, careful attention to contrast ratios, colour choices, and accessibility ensures a user-friendly and visually pleasing interface.

Ultimately, integrating a dark mode option aligns with contemporary website design, promoting both user wellness and device efficiency. This makes it a smart choice and a recommendation from ID Studio.