Websites are an important marketing, communication and outreach tool for any business. Whether a small or large company, your website is sometimes one of the first impressions you give. By creating a concise, easy to navigate and updated look on the web, you will have the support you need for many business endeavors. Even if a website is not your home base, it provides a place to grow your platform. So, here are five things that every website should include!
1. Clear description of who you are
From the moment a client or customer visits your website, they should not have to do any investigative work to find out who the company is. By simply stating your name and summing up your products on the home page you can save confusion on both ends. You want to attract the attention of your viewer within 2-3 seconds of them entering your site so that they stay to learn more!
As seen in above image from Instruction Partner’s curriculum support guide, the homepage header is an ideal place to include your mission statement or elevator pitch. Use a headline that tells visitors the one most important thing your company offers them, then build on it with a supporting paragraph.
2. Contact page
You never want to make it difficult for a customer to get in touch with you! In order to not lose a visitor to a competitor you want to make sure your contact information is easy to find on the website. Many suggest placing it in the top left or top right corner of the home page. Best practices also include keeping your contact on every page throughout the site. You want to make sure you provide several ways to get in touch! These could include an email, phone number, business hours or even an address which can be added through a Google maps link.
3. Small chunks of information
Everyone processes information better if it is presented in a clear and concise way. Your home page is the very first impression of this! Be sure not to include too much information together. By breaking content into short paragraphs, including bullet points or highlighting important words and phrases visitors know exactly where to look. TN Score’s homepage uses white space and callouts to relay key information they want people to read.
You also want to be very clear to visitors on what their next step should be whether this is a call to action in the form of joining an email list or completing an online purchase!
4. Easy mobile navigation
Many individuals are now visiting websites strictly through their mobile device.
- Mobile device traffic accounts for over half (51.51%) of global online traffic.
- Mobile devices account for 60% of all organic search engine visits in the United States.
- 53% of online shopping traffic comes from mobile phones.
In the hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to check a link or make a search on your phone rather than pulling out a laptop. Because of this, your company needs to ensure that the mobile version of your website is user-friendly! This step can be overlooked, and it is important to remember the different ways customers consume information.
5. Customer testimonials
Humanizing your company and its customers is one of the most important marketing tools. Plus, it also gives your website the credibility that many are looking for! A testimonial page can be presented in several different ways to include the comments and stories of satisfied customers. You can create videos, case studies or even graphics to present all of the amazing work you have completed for others!
This list is just the beginning of all the components that make up a successful business website. By using these five suggestions, you are on your way to creating a credible, creative and impactful website that can grow for all your customers to use!
