9 Things your website needs to have
1. Optimised Images
Websites are all about speed, so having images that aren't optimised correctly can really slow things down and negatively impact your SEO. Try keeping your image sizes below at least 300kb! Try using a program like BlogStomp or JPEGmini.
2. an SSL certificate
This is what takes your website from http, to https. If you don't have an active ssl certificate, browsers will warn people trying to visit your site that it might be unsafe, or it might not even allow them to access it at all. Not a vibe. Make sure to purchase one if your domain or hosting doens't already provide one (luckily most do!).
3. a privacy policy
This is crucial to remain compliant with acts like POPI, GDPR etc. People need to know that their information (personal or otherwise) will be protected when they visit your site. This is especially important if you have an ecommerce site and are taking people payment information, but even if you're just asking for their email addresses, you still need this big time! Try a service like Termly to get a comprehensive privacy policy.
4. photos of you
People want to know the people behind the brand or the business. It builds trust being able to put a face to the business. People want to deal with other people, so having some (professional) photos of yourself on your website will really make a big difference! We can help you with some of those professional pics!;)
5. well-written copy
Whether you have a service-based website or are totally product-based, you need copy that sells and looks professional. Nothing is as off-putting as a website riddled with typos, grammar errors or that just doesn't communicate effectively. Consider hiring a professional copywriter to help you get your website copy to the next level! It will be worth it in the long run!
6. effective seo
An activity that takes a lot of time but is worth its weight in gold. Having your website search engine optimised will mean that it's more likely to pop up on Google if people are searching for businesses like yours. It's all about having enough copy, detailed meta descriptions, alt text on all images and well-thought-out keywords that will make your website Google-friendly.
7. easy navigation
It doesn't help having a beautiful website if people can't get where you want them to go. Make your site navigation clear to understand and easy to find. Also, make sure your button labels and links tell people exactly what to expect when they click on them.
8. an easy way to contact you
Much like having easy-to-use navigation, it's essential for people to be able to get in touch with you as easily as possible! Depending on your goal (whether you want them to send you a message via a form, book a call or simply sign up for a newsletter) you should make the steps clear, short and simple.
9. your personality
It's YOUR website! Whether you're selling something or offering a service, giving it some personality will set you apart from your competition! There are likely millions of people out the offering what you offer, but no one can do it quite like you because they simply aren't you! Take what makes you unique as a person and put some of that into your business and website.
