7 Must-Haves for Your Business’s Website
Every business has a website these days, but let’s be honest: while most are okay, many are just “meh, and only a few truly stand out. And it’s not always about splashing big money. Sometimes, it’s the small details that make the biggest difference. In this blog post, we’ll walk through the essentials that can transform your site from forgettable to formidable.
Does My Business Need a Website for Sure?
Almost every business benefits from having a site. It’s your digital storefront, open 24/7 that reaches customers far beyond your geographical location. Of course, there are some rare cases, like extremely niche businesses with a stable, local clientele, where online presence may not be crucial. But for the vast majority, it’s indispensable for visibility, credibility, and customer engagement.
And while DIY websites may sometimes look okay, partnering with custom web development services is always worth it in the long run. Professional developers bring expertise in design, functionality, and SEO. You might think the difference is minimal but over time, you surely notice it’s huge.
7 Must-Haves of a Good Website for Your Business
If your business already has a site, it’s always worth consulting experienced developers about how you could improve it. But if you want to perform a quick assessment right now, check the seven basics we cover below.
#1 Responsive Design
Your site must look and work great on all devices. We don’t need to tell you that mobile traffic is dominating the web. So a responsive design ensures everyone has a good experience, no matter their screen size. Plus, Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search rankings, so responsiveness also boosts your SEO.
Tip: Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily uses the mobile version of a website for ranking and indexing.
#2 Strong SEO Foundation
To get found online, your site needs solid SEO. Use relevant keywords, have a clear structure, and produce quality content regularly. SEO is an ongoing effort that helps improve your site’s visibility and ranking over time.
Tip: Use Google Analytics to track visitor behavior and refine your SEO strategy based on actual data and remember that SEO includes local search optimization, too.
#3 Fast Loading Speed
Speed is crucial because every user wants it as fast as possible. A slow site loses visitors and drops in search rankings. Optimize images, minimize code, and choose a reliable host to keep your website speedy. And don’t forget to test and update it regularly to ensure it stays fast.
Tip: A one-second delay in page load time can lead to a significant drop in conversions. Speed also affects your AdWords Quality Score, which can influence your ad costs and placement.
#4 User-Friendly Navigation
A good site guides visitors effortlessly to the information they seek. Clear menus, logical structure, and a search function are all the must-haves. Every page should be easy to find and serve a clear (and predictable!) purpose.
Tip: Analyze visitor flow on your website to identify where users get lost or leave and try to simplify their path.
#5 Quality Content and Design
Content is what attracts and retains visitors after the design has set the first impression. Your site should reflect your brand’s identity and address your audience’s needs and questions. And yes, it must be visually appealing and easy to read.
Tip: Use A/B testing to see what design elements and content types perform best.
#6 Secure and Reliable Hosting
Good hosting keeps your website accessible and safe. Look for providers with strong uptime records, security protocols, and customer support. This will keep your site running smoothly and protect it (at least, to an extent) against cyber threats.
Tip: As your business grows, your website traffic might increase, and your hosting should be able to handle this growth.
#7 Clear Calls-to-Action (CTA)
Your site should guide visitors to take action, be it contacting you, purchasing, or subscribing. Clear, compelling CTAs can do exactly this. They can encourage engagement and help convert visitors into customers.
Tip: CTAs should be specific, action-oriented, and relevant to the page content. Test different CTA designs, placements, and messages to identify what drives the most engagement and conversions.
Final Thoughts
Your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. So it’s really worth making sure it’s equipped at least with these must-haves. After all, a well-crafted site reflects your business’s professionalism, quality, and commitment to customer service.
