5 Must-Have Website Features for Freelancers and Small Businesses
Your website is the face of your business online. It’s often the first impression potential clients get of your brand, and as we all know, first impressions count! But it’s not just about having a website—it’s about having the right features that make your site user-friendly, professional, and engaging.
If you’re a freelancer or small business owner looking to create or revamp your website, here are five must-have features that will help you stand out from the competition and turn visitors into loyal clients.
1. Responsive Design
In today’s digital age, your website needs to look great on every device, whether it’s a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. A responsive design ensures that your site automatically adjusts to fit any screen size, providing a seamless user experience across all devices.
Why it matters:
With more than half of web traffic coming from mobile devices, having a responsive website is essential. If your site doesn’t function well on mobile, visitors are likely to leave and look elsewhere.
Tip: Test your website across multiple devices and screen sizes to make sure everything looks and functions as it should.
2. Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
What do you want visitors to do when they land on your website? Whether it’s booking a service, signing up for your newsletter, or purchasing a product, your call-to-action (CTA) should be clear and compelling.
Why it matters:
A well-placed CTA can guide your visitors to take the next step, turning casual browsers into paying clients. Make sure your CTAs are easy to spot, action-oriented, and relevant to your audience’s needs.
Example: Instead of a vague “Learn More,” try using action-driven phrases like “Book Your Free Consultation” or “Get Started Today.”
3. SEO Optimization
You’ve built a beautiful website, but if no one can find it, what’s the point? Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures that your website is visible to people searching for your services online. From using the right keywords to optimizing your meta descriptions, every part of your website should be designed to improve your search engine rankings.
Why it matters:
SEO drives organic traffic to your website, helping you reach new clients without spending a fortune on paid ads.
Tip: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find relevant keywords that your target audience is searching for, and integrate them naturally into your website content.
4. High-Quality Visuals
Your website needs to reflect the quality of your brand, and one of the best ways to do that is through high-quality visuals. Whether it’s professional brand photography or carefully chosen stock images, your visuals should be consistent with your brand identity and make a lasting impression on your visitors.
Why it matters:
Visuals are often the first thing people notice when they visit your site. If your photos are low-quality or irrelevant, it can give the impression that your business isn’t professional.
Tip: Invest in professional brand photography to ensure your visuals align with your brand and tell your story authentically.
5. Easy Navigation
A beautiful website is useless if visitors can’t find what they’re looking for. Clear, intuitive navigation ensures that your audience can easily access the information they need, whether it’s your services, pricing, or contact information.
Why it matters:
Good navigation keeps visitors on your site longer, reduces bounce rates, and improves the overall user experience.
Tip: Keep your navigation menu simple, with clear headings that direct visitors to the most important sections of your site. Use a clean layout with plenty of white space to avoid overwhelming your audience.
Bringing It All Together
Your website is one of your most important business tools, so it’s crucial to get it right. By ensuring your site has a responsive design, clear CTAs, SEO optimization, high-quality visuals, and easy navigation, you can create a seamless and professional user experience that engages visitors and turns them into loyal clients.
At Wildmoor Creative, we specialise in building websites that not only look great but also work hard for your business. From design to SEO, we’ve got you covered. Let’s create a website that elevates your brand and drives results!