A great deal of work goes into building your business website and planning its content. The last thing you want is for all this work to go to waste because people can’t locate the information they need. If youíre not saying the right things to the right people in the right way, your site won’t perform well. While the design is important, as you’re building your new website or redesigning an old one, below you’ll find 8 must-have elements all websites need.
8 Must-Have Elements All Websites Need
Home Page
Your home page is the first thing most people will see when they land on your website. It should clearly state who you are and what you do. It should also offer easy, intuitive navigation to the other information the visitor is looking for
While the old adage says “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and you’d like to think the same would apply for websites, it DOES matter what your website looks like. The first time someone looks at your website’s home page, they should walk away feeling like they know a little bit about your business. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to pay attention to the visual elements – images, colors, and fonts – that appear on your home page.
About Page
When I’m working with my web design clients, I always stress the importance of having a quality About Page.
About Pages are frequently the second stop on any website – people head there after landing on your home page. Thus, making a good impression is a must.
Put some thought into your story. What can you tell your customers/clients to make them relate to you better? Why did you start your business? What does your business mean to you? Explain to them your core values.
Quality Content that Delivers
Your site should be filled with quality content, providing the information your target audience is looking for. Each page should offer content that offers helpful information to build relationships, solve problems, earn trust, and explain your offerings. The goal is to establish your site as the go-to place for information and/or shopping in your niche.
Social Proof
Well-placed social proof shows that youíre trustworthy and you get results for those who use your products or services. It works because it shows a third party talking about the value you offer, rather than you singing your own praises.
One great method is to include testimonials from past customers or clients on your website. Another way to demonstrate your value is to include information about webinars, speeches youíve given, articles you’ve written for other publications or collaborations you’ve completed with other businesses. This will show youíre an expert in your field.
Something to Look At
Your site should include plenty of engaging visuals. Humanize your business with your photo. Take the visitor behind the scenes in your facilities. Present detailed and beautiful images of your products. Videos work great as well.
What you absolutely don’t want to do is have a website that’s looks like a big wall of text. That’s not to say you can’t have a text-heavy website, but if you do, it needs to be broken up with plenty of visual elements.
Clear Calls-to-Action
At each point where you want the visitor to take some type of action, give them a clear call to do so. Tell them exactly what they need to do in order to receive the benefits you offer. Actions might include buying products, signing up for your list, following you on social media, checking out content elsewhere, or commenting.
Think of it this way: If you don’t want your customers to take an action after visiting your site, then why do you have a website?
Responsiveness
It is more important than ever for websites to be mobile responsive. This means that your website design should automatically resize/reorganize so it is viewed just as easily from a mobile viewer as it is from a computer. More people than ever use their phones to browse the web and I guarantee you will push people away if your site isn’t responsive.
The Essentials
Finally, make sure your website has up-to-date contact information with a real address, a privacy policy, Terms of Service, and whatever certificates you have. This will show that youíre a legit company offering value.
Sometimes the Elements Vary
Depending on your niche, the elements all websites need may vary somewhat. For instance, restaurant websites should all have menus and information about how to order, while banking websites need information about setting up accounts. Regardless of your business type, as you’re setting up your website, be sure to think about the items any prospective visitor would need to know and talk to your website designer about how best to incorporate them into your site.
- Why the Best Business Tools are Like Store-Brand Canned Vegetables - March 16, 2021
- MemberVault Review: The Best Course Membership Platform - January 24, 2021
- 8 Must-Have Elements All Websites Need to be Successful - November 22, 2020