Small business websites are an essential part of any company’s success, but developing one can be a daunting task. To make it a bit easier, we’ve put together a list of 15 essential features that any small business website should have. The best part? None of these ideas require expensive installations or fancy bells and whistles. They’re all focused on helping you achieve your business goals and providing your customers with the information and resources they need.
1. Call to Action
One of the most important things to include on your website is a clear “call to action” (CTA). This is a button or text that tells your visitors what they should do next, like “Call Now” or “Sign Up.” CTAs are crucial because they guide visitors to take the next step in the process. For example, if you’re a service business, a CTA that says “Call now to schedule an appointment” is a great way to direct visitors to take action.
2. Navigation
An important piece to a successful small business website is having clear and easy navigation. Your website visitors should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. This means having a logical and intuitive layout, with clear labels and links. A well-designed navigation menu can make it simple for your visitors to find the information they need and take the actions you want them to take, like making a purchase or signing up for your newsletter. Additionally, implementing a search bar can also be helpful to allow visitors to easily find what they are looking for. Navigation is crucial for a positive user experience, and it can also have an impact on your search engine rankings.
3. Contact Information
Another essential feature is your contact information, especially your phone number. Make sure to include your contact information in a prominent and easily accessible place on your website, like the header. Many visitors will come to your site just to find your phone number, so make it easy for them to find. This also makes it easy for visitors to get in touch with you if they have any questions or concerns.
4. Business Hours & Location
Another important thing to include is your business hours and location. Many people search for business hours online, so make sure to keep them up to date. If a visitor shows up during advertised hours only to find that you’re closed, it’s a huge turn-off and can lead to negative word-of-mouth. Your location and address are also essential information to include, even if you’re a home-based business or don’t have a physical location.
5. About Page
Your “About” page is another great place to share information about your company and its employees. Use this page to share your company’s history, how it started, and what it’s doing now. It’s also a great place to include biographies of the business owners and links to press coverage or other websites where your business can be found.
6. Products/Services
Make sure to also include information about your products or services. This is especially important if you’re a business that people may search for on their phones. If you want to show up in search results, you need to have information about what you sell or the services you provide on your website.
7. Reviews & Testimonials
Don’t forget to include customer reviews and testimonials. People trust online reviews almost as much as personal recommendations, so make it easy for your visitors to see what others have said about your business. You can also include a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to answer common questions and provide more information to your customers.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs are like a secret weapon for your website! They’re an easy way to give your customers the information they need, and they can also help boost your search engine rankings. Even if you’re a new business and don’t have any questions yet, you can still prepare a list of potential questions and answers in case someone asks. By having a FAQ section, you can also save time by directing customers to the answer they are looking for instead of answering the same question multiple times. Also, by having a FAQ section, you can help your customers find the information they are looking for faster and more efficiently.
9. Blog
Blogging is another great way to show off your industry expertise and give your website visitors something new and interesting to read. Plus, it can help with your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Not only does it allow you to share your knowledge and insights with your customers, but it also gives you an opportunity to use keywords that will help boost your website’s ranking in search engine results. Additionally, having a blog can also help you establish your business as an authority in your industry and build trust with your customers.
10. Modern Design
A website that looks like it’s stuck in the 90s is a major turn-off for customers. Make sure your website design is up-to-date and visually appealing. Not only does it look better, but it also helps with security. An outdated website design can make your customers question whether or not your business is still operational and if they can receive the products or services they need from you. It can also make them question the quality of your business and the security of their information. A modern design can help establish trust and credibility with your customers.
11. Fast Load Time
Speed is key when it comes to websites. With so many people browsing on their phones, a slow-loading website is a surefire way to lose customers. There are tools and professionals you can hire to help speed up your website. A slow website can be frustrating for customers, and they may leave before even seeing what you have to offer. Additionally, a slow website can also negatively impact your search engine rankings. By making sure your website loads quickly, you can improve the user experience and keep your customers engaged.
12. Search Engine Optimization
SEO is a must for any business website. It helps people find your website when they’re searching for the products or services you offer. It can be a bit complicated, but there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. By optimizing your website for search engines, you increase the chances that your website will appear at the top of search engine results, making it more likely for customers to find you. Additionally, by using effective SEO techniques, you can also increase the quality and number of visitors to your website, which can lead to increased sales and revenue.
13. Site Security
HTTPS, the secure protocol that makes sure your website visitors’ data is safe and sound. You know when you see that little padlock icon in the URL bar? That’s HTTPS hard at work. It’s becoming more and more common for websites to use HTTPS, and for good reason. Not only do popular browsers like Google Chrome now mark non-HTTPS sites as “Not Secure,” but search engines also give a little boost to HTTPS sites in their search results.
14. Analytics
Analytics are like a crystal ball for your website. They help you see what’s working and what’s not, so you can make your website even better. With analytics, you can see how people interact with your website and figure out which marketing tactics are driving the most sales and conversions. It’s like having a secret weapon to make your website even more successful.
15. Privacy Policy
Privacy policies are kind of like a safety net for your website. If you collect any kind of data from your visitors, like cookies or information about how they use your website, you need a privacy policy. It’s like a contract between you and your visitors, outlining how you’ll protect and use their information. It’s just one more way to build trust with your visitors and keep them coming back.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re ready to take your website to the next level, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. We’re experts in creating high-quality websites that look great, work well, and bring in more business. So, go ahead and give us a call, let’s make your website the best it can be!
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