There are so many easy options out there to help small businesses get set up online. Whether you opt to pay someone to design your site for you or go it alone using platforms like WordPress, there are seven pages you NEED to include.
Here is a brief overview of what those pages are and why you need them on YOUR site.
#1: Home page
The home page is the front window of your online business. It provides visitors with their first view of who you are and what you have to offer. Not only that, but it also gives them access to the rest of your site, via your navigation bars and their subsequent clickable links.
When you first meet someone you will form your initial impression of them in as little as 7 seconds. Your home page is helping your visitors form their first impressions of you and your business – so you’ll want to ensure it’s a good one!
#2: About page
Your about page is another high traffic page on your site. On this page you’ll want to explain more about who you are and what you can do for your potential customers. Let them know WHY you do what you do, as well as HOW you can benefit them.
The biggest problem most small businesses make with their About page is making it TOO much about themselves – you need to give your visitors information about you BUT also include HOW they can work with you and WHY they should.
#3: Services/product page
Your website visitors want to know what you have on offer, so make sure you let them know! You can make this page a brief summary of the main things you do, with clickable links to go more in-depth and/or to a sales page or, if you only have a few products/services, you can keep them all on this page. Either way, make sure you include testimonials and a call to action for your visitors.
#4: Contact page
Give your visitors a way to get in touch and, if possible, give them several options. Putting your email address in its usual format may result in an unending supply of spam emails, so either write it out (info [at] your website [dot] com) or make it super easy on yourself and use a plugin like Contact Form 7 or Contact Form by BestWebSoft.
#5: Privacy & Cookies policies
Due to the EU ePrivacy Directive set up in 2012, all websites MUST show a privacy policy that explains what information is being collected and stored from its website visitors. This is easily solved with a simple plugin such as Cookie Law Info or Auto Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
#6: Testimonials
Testimonials show evidence that you can do what you say you can. This proof not only shows a proven track record, it can also be used to illustrate the types of people you work with and the problem-solution scenarios you have had.
Testimonials can be added to any of your pages (especially sales pages) but you’ll also want a central page on your site where you can collate them all in one place for easy reference.
#7: Blog and/or news page
Finally, your website wants regular updates going on it, to keep it relevant and search engine friendly – and a blog and/or news page can provide this. It also helps indicate that your site, and also your business, are current.
If you have regular news to share and post blog articles regularly, it may be pertinent to set up a separate page for blog and news – otherwise, you may find it easier to only have a combined page – and minimise the amount of writing you may have to do!
What do you consider the top pages on any website? Do you agree with my top 7 or are there others you’d rank higher? Why not share your thoughts and insights in the comments box below.
Image © Marek/Dollar Photo Club