We know that creating a website is not a piece of cake, although using a CMS or content manager like WordPress things are greatly simplified! You have a lot of plugins available and completely free templates that give your page a very professional look, but is all this enough? No. You have to keep in mind that there are some elements that are essential on any website, so today it’s time to talk about them
It is also true that not all websites are the same, nor do they all need the same functionalities, but they all allow you to have an online presence and reach a much larger audience than your business can have locally. So, now is the time to spend a little time and check that you have everything you need to grow on the Internet. Let’s see then the 7 elements that cannot be missing from your website.
7 elements that cannot be missing from your website
We would dare to say that, in most cases, these elements that we show you below are almost “mandatory” on any website. Let’s see if you think the same!
- SSL certificate.
Yes, we start with what is important. Google has decided to modify its algorithm again and, in July of this year, it will begin to mark all websites that do not work with HTTPS as NOT secure.
Therefore, having an SSL certificate is no longer just a matter for e-commerce or larger companies. No matter how small your website is and even if you do not collect personal or payment information, it is necessary if you do not want Google to punish you for it.
The best of all? What you can have completely free. For example, with our SSD Hosting plans you have a Let’s Encrypt certificate that allows you to add a certificate without paying a single euro.
If you want to know a little better about the differences between this type of free and paid certificates, take a look at our article Let’s Encrypt Vs Paid SSL Certificate. What is the difference between them?
- Contact form
Make it easy for your visitors. A contact form is not only a way for your visitors to contact you, it is really a door open 24 hours a day to new customers.
It is a very simple way for users to contact you. They do not need to dial a phone number and wait for a response, nor do they need to access their email manager to send you the query. From your same website, they can express their doubts or queries quickly and this will cause many more people to contact you. And you know, the more conversions on your website, the greater the possibility of gaining customers.
If you are still a little green on this or your template does not include one, we explain how to create a contact form in WordPress with Contact Form 7. It is very easy to use and you can completely customize it to your liking.
- Contact section
If we talk about elements that cannot be missing from a website, we cannot fail to mention the contact section. Also, what other section of your website would be more suitable than this one to add your contact form?
Not everyone who visits your website does so to buy (I wish that were the case!), but the reality is that they don’t. Add your phone number, an email address, your social media profiles… That is, give your visitors every chance so that they don’t close your page and go to the competition.
- CTA or call to action
Maybe you have a very well optimized website or your content is really good, but if you don’t boost the conversions of your website, you will be losing many sales opportunities.
It is necessary that you impact your visits and direct them to carry out the action you are looking for. Obviously the objective is not always to “Buy”, on other occasions it is simply to download an ebook, register on your website or make a reservation.
The click is not free, so it is also necessary that you put a little effort into the design and copywriting of the button or CTA that you are going to include on your website. You have to use direct language and a design that follows the style of the website, although always looking for contrast and visibility so that they click on it.
Have you noticed the example we gave you of the contact form? The “Send” button is a very good example of what we are talking about. The text is direct and the design, although it follows the line of the website, clearly impacts the user and there is no doubt that the next step you have to do is send your query.
Eye! Including one or more CTAs on your website is a good way to guide your users, but don’t go overboard either. If you fill it with buttons, you will hardly be able to differentiate one from the other and, instead of impacting the user, all you will achieve is confuse them even more. Skyscanner does this very well:
- Responsive version
Just like having an SSL certificate, Google has gotten serious about user experience. Its new Google Mobile-First Index algorithm is already starting to work, so if you don’t want to lose positions at the SEO level, you have to adapt your website to mobile phones, yes or yes!
For more than two years now, the mobile phone has been positioned as the main Internet access device compared to the computer, so it is time to work on the design of a responsive website.
If, on the other hand, you are already working on it, here are some tools that allow you to test your website on mobile devices.
- Good structure and order of content
Using original typography, a good color palette or being consistent with your brand’s style guides is essential if you want to achieve a good web design, but it is not everything!
It is necessary that your website is well structured from minute zero. You have to ensure that your visitors navigate your website easily, that is, you need it to have an intuitive design and you will only achieve this when the design is designed for the user.
Be clear that if visitors who land on your website do not easily locate the information they are looking for, they will leave quickly and Google will take this into account. In addition to benefiting the user, a good web architecture favors indexing in Google, so it is always a plus point for you. On the other hand, if your website is a real mess, disaster is guaranteed.
- Links to social networks
The tables have turned a lot. The public no longer only seeks information, but wants to interact with it. So you no longer have an escape, you have to give them the tools they need to do it, for example, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are some of the most used.
Also, did you know that 71% of customers who have a positive experience with the brand on social networks recommend it to other users? Surely you already know this from experience, but having a profile on social networks is a good way to interact with your audience and humanize your brand.
We do not intend to give you more reasons to have a presence on social networks, we simply want you to know the importance of linking your profiles to your website. They will be able to connect with you in a matter of seconds and you will be gaining conversion possibilities, so why not do it?
Nowadays almost all templates include social media icons, usually in the footer, so you won’t have to make any additional configuration or adjustments.
