As a small business owner, launching your first website is an exciting milestone that sets the stage for your online presence. When starting out, it's important to create a website that effectively represents your brand and engages your target audience. But figuring out what exactly should go on your website can be overwhelming! Here’s a breakdown of the essential elements to include on your website when you're just getting started. Including these elements on your website will help you build a strong online foundation and help anchor and represent your small business as you grow!

1. Clear and Compelling Brand Messaging:

   Your website should clearly communicate your brand's unique value proposition. Craft a concise and compelling tagline or mission statement that grabs visitors' attention and quickly conveys what you offer. Use this messaging consistently throughout your website to establish a strong brand identity and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
   
   Here’s a prompt to help get you started: My business does_______ to help _________ do __________. There are way more complicated ways to approach this (here’s asanas comprehensive solution which is also great) but I find the above prompt to be super helpful.
   
   My mission statement is here for your reference: I build custom Squarespace websites for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs to help them build and strengthen their online presence and engage and grow their customer base.
   

2. Engaging Homepage:

   Your homepage serves as the virtual front door to your business. It should provide an overview of your offerings and entice visitors to explore further. Include visually appealing images or videos that represent your brand and captivate your audience. Use concise and engaging copy to communicate the benefits of your products or services.
   
   Make sure your contact information and primary call-to-action are prominently displayed to encourage conversions.

3. About Page:

   The About page is an opportunity to establish a personal connection with your audience. Share your brand story, highlight your expertise, and explain why you are passionate about what you do. Include photos and bios of key team members to create a sense of trust and credibility.
   
   An About Page allows visitors to get to know the people behind the business, fostering a deeper connection with your brand. Here’s a more in depth look at how to design your about page.

4. Clear Contact Information:

   Make it easy for visitors to contact you by prominently displaying your contact information. Include a dedicated Contact page with a contact form, email address, phone number, and social media links. Providing multiple channels for communication demonstrates accessibility and builds trust.
   
   Here’s a guide on how to create an effective contact page for your small business website.

5. Services or Product Offerings:

   Highlight your main offerings on your website. Create a dedicated page (or multiple if that suits your offerings) that provide detailed information about each product or service you provide. Clearly articulate the benefits, features, and pricing options. Use high-quality images or videos to showcase your offerings and engage visitors. Include customer testimonials or case studies to build credibility and demonstrate the value you bring to your clients.
   
   You can see I follow my own advice on my services page here, and also on my dedicated template offering page here.

6. Blog or News Section:

   Starting a blog or news section on your website allows you to share valuable content, industry insights, and updates with your audience. This not only establishes your expertise but also helps drive organic traffic to your website through search engine optimization (SEO). You should aim to regularly publish informative and relevant articles that address your target audience's pain points, interests, and frequently asked questions.

7. Social Proof and Testimonials:

   Include testimonials, reviews, or success stories from satisfied customers to build trust and credibility. Displaying social proof on your website provides validation for your products or services and helps potential customers feel more confident in their decision to choose your business. Consider featuring testimonials on your homepage, product pages, or a dedicated testimonials section.

Looking for more?

Check out my ultimate website checklist!

When you're first starting out, a website for your business serves as a crucial tool for establishing your online presence and attracting customers. By including clear brand messaging, an engaging homepage, essential pages like About and Contact, showcasing your offerings, maintaining a blog or news section, and incorporating social proof, you create a solid foundation for your website's success. Focus on delivering a positive user experience and effectively communicating your value proposition to captivate your audience and set yourself up for growth and success in the digital world.

Here’s more on what a website can do for you, and how a custom design can help. Have questions? Email me and I’ll do my best to answer them.