What elements are non-negotiable when it comes to your new web design? 

Taking up a web design business opportunity means your clients will automatically look to you for guidance when it comes to their web content. While no two sites and no two clients are every exactly alike, our cheat sheet of the essential elements every successful, functional website should have, is a useful resource to have in your arsenal.

The home page There’s no two ways about it – every single site, regardless of its industry or the size of the owner must have a home page. This is the virtual shop window. It’s often the first impression prospective clients have of the brand and it will be a popular port of call throughout the lifespan of the site. The exact content of the homepage will depend on the business itself but, it should be compelling, engaging, succinct and clear. The contact form Whether you are designing an ecommerce website or selling a portfolio website design, a contact form is another non-negotiable inclusion. Without a contact form, the site owner has no way to collect the valuable data it needs to connect with prospective customers or to remarket to them. A testimonials or review page Few things are as important to modern day consumers as a business’ reviews. Over 8 in 10 value them as much as a personal recommendation they receive from a friend, relative or colleague and, most consumers want to see a minimum of three or four good reviews before they will buy. That makes a testimonials or review page a crucial part of the web design process. It can also act as a trust signal and encourage shoppers further along through the buyer journey. An about us page While it doesn’t need to be a full history, an about us page should be considered an important part of the website puzzle. This page establishes the brands credentials, expertise, history and authority. It can be used to shine a light on unique initiatives, awards or special expertise. A common mistake is to make this too dry and corporate but, don’t be afraid to push for creativity here too. It’s worth adding team member profiles here – as this page will be a popular choice for media visitors and customers alike. A blog A blog or company news page should also be present in any web design and, we’d go as far as to say it’s crucial. A blog is a wonderful resource for SEO, provides a home for great content which can then be shared and referred back to and is useful for link building too.