When it comes to determining what a website needs to be successful, there is no solid list that applies to everyone. That’s because every business is different, and every company has different goals, so your website needs to function according to what you need.
However, there are some common elements that every website should have in order to make it function properly and provide a smooth user experience for everyone.
If you think your website needs improvement, it’s not a bad idea to take a look at the best practices for website success and put those into practice. Here are some of the core elements your website will need, no matter what industry you work in.
Functionality and Performance
Of course, the technical elements of your website are the most important. You need it to be able to function and allow your visitors to navigate smoothly, complete purchases, and find the information they are looking for.
Site speed can weigh you down, and even if this is on your server’s end, you can make some other changes that can help. For example, resizing large images can help reduce your site’s load time. If you've been wondering how to improve website conversion, this is one of the ways to do it.
Data Tracking Tools
Ensure you have tools installed on your website that track audience behavior and site performance, such as Google Analytics. If you’re using HubSpot, ensure the tracking code is installed on your site to collect as much information as possible and then utilize that information to drive your marketing strategy.
These tools also help you determine what is and isn’t working on your site and where people are interested so you can continue to provide valuable website content for them.
A Conversion Funnel
While a conversion looks different for everyone, there is no arguing that everyone needs a conversion funnel in place.
This could mean a variety of elements in place on your website, such as CTAs and landing pages designed to push the user in a specific direction, whether that means making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
SEO Strategy
SEO, or search engine optimization, is an important part of any website because it is a key component for gaining traffic and presence. Ensure you have the tools to edit your SEO and that all of those elements are filled out. This includes headers, title tags, image tags, meta descriptions, and more.
If you’ve just had a new website built, run an SEO audit on it using a website grader to ensure that all of the SEO elements are in place. This will help you determine if you overlooked or missed anything.
A Web Development Partner
Most companies benefit from a partnership with a web development company because you can have a support team at your fingertips. The minute you experience issues with your site, your developer will be able to step in and fix it correctly, eliminating the guesswork and helping you maintain your site effectively.
