5 things every website needs
As the online world continues to rapidly expand, it is more important than ever for websites to have key elements that make them user-friendly and effective. These are the five essential elements that can make or break a website’s success.
1. A search function
A simple search function is essential for any website. You might think your navigation is in tip-top shape, but most users with a specific goal in mind will head straight for the search bar. By incorporating a simple search function, users can immediately look for anything they need, rather than having to sift through page after page to find what they want. Make sure your website’s search bar is easily visible and that it is capable of quickly searching through all relevant content on your site.
2. Clear contact information
Visible contact information is essential for building trust with your audience. Whether you are a small business, a non-profit organization, or an individual, people want to know that they can reach out to you if they need to. Make sure your website includes your contact information - whether that be an email address, phone number, or physical address - in an easy-to-find location. Additionally, including links to any relevant social media accounts can also help to build a connection between you and your audience.
3. Straightforward navigation
When someone visits your website, you want them to have a clear idea of where they can find the information they need. If your navigation bar is cluttered, confusing, or hard to use, visitors may become frustrated and leave. Keep your navigation bar simple and clear, with logical categories that align with how your visitors might think about your content. It’s also important to make sure your navigation bar is easily visible and accessible from any page on your website.
4. Strong hierarchy
Every element of your website should be conducive to a successful user flow, from the navigation to the images to the text. Every piece should indicate to the user where their attention should go, from the most important to the least. By structuring your content in a hierarchical manner, you can lead your visitors through the page in a way that makes sense, and helps them to quickly understand what your website is all about. Make sure you structure your pages with clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points to help guide your visitor’s journey through your content. No matter how you plan for users to interact with your webpage, every piece of content on the page should help indicate what the user should be paying attention to or doing next.
5. A call to action
A strong call to action is essential for driving business and conversions. It can increase user engagement and improve conversion rates, ultimately translating into more leads, customers, or revenue for you or your business. A call-to-action can be a contact form, a social link, or just a button encouraging users to another page. It helps give your website a sense of purpose and direction. A well–designed call to action should stand out from other elements on the page, and uses clear, concise language that leaves no doubt about what action you want the user to take. It could be anything from signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase, to reaching out for more information.
Conclusion
Creating a website can feel intimidating at first. With these five tips, you can feel assured that you understand the basic building blocks to create any website you need.
