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A website is an important part of business. Without one, you can lose potential customers and revenue.

Whether you provide services such as cleaning, coaching or sell art, crafts and other custom made items, your website is there to welcome people and give them a peace of mind. Your website can show what you offer, how to contact you and tell a compelling story of who you are and how you can help.

Here are 5 basic pages that your website should have.

The Homepage

The homepage is the first thing your visitors see. It is here where a visitor will determine whether they stick around and browse your site or click the back button and head to the next one.

When thinking of your homepage and what you want on it think of curb appeal. The same things that bring people into your business off the streets work for website design. Think from a potential customers perspective. You are in control of their first impression.

Make sure the page is easy to understand and clearly portrays your objective. You want them to see your branding and visible calls-to-action.

About Page

About pages allow you to elaborate on your companies accomplishments and visions. Make bold statements and discuss how your product / experience will help.

People relate to brand values. You want your customers to tell their friends and family about you, you want them to join in on the journey. Tell them a story and they will connect with you.

Humanizing your business leads to positive connections

Products or Services Page

Sell the Benefits, not the features. When writing a product description tell a vivid story of how your products and services have helped others. You want people to feel good before they even have the product or service.

Give customers context into how you deliver your services if you strictly sell services

Blog Page

Blogs are a major platform for you to talk directly with customers.

Successful blogs are ongoing journeys, not destinations. Your blog must capture visitors’ attention and take them on your unique brand adventure. For instance, you may give them a behind-the-scenes look at product design or record a testimonial video with a happy customer

“Your blog posts can demonstrate your expertise in a particular subject area by sharing high-quality and relevant information with your readers. Over time, you can become known as a go-to resource that provides consistent and useful information,”

Alyssa Gregory – Entrepreneur, Writer and Marketer

Contact Page

Your contact page should be easily accessible. You don’t want customers clicking through five different pages to connect with your business.

The contact page is the perfect spot to set customer expectations. Let your visitors know your response time and commit to that promise.

Like many small business owners, you may believe your business cannot benefit from having a website or that a website is not within your budget. Or maybe you think because you don’t use a computer, neither do your potential customers. These are misconceptions. These 8 reasons show why your company NEEDS a professional website, no matter what size your business.

1. YOUR SMALL BUSINESS WILL GAIN CREDIBILITY

Today, more and more consumers use the internet to search for the products or services they need. Your small business will gain credibility by having a website. Without one, potential customers will go to your competitors that do. If you already have a website but it is “home-made”, having it professionally redesigned will provide your business with a professional image which will inspire even greater confidence. For home-based businesses, this is particularly beneficial since you do not have a store front to promote your products or services.

1. A WEBSITE SAVES YOU MONEY

As a small business owner you probably think you can’t afford a professional website, but you can’t afford NOT to. Although the cost of designing a website varies, once it’s up and running, a website for a small business generally costs under $100 a month and, in some cases, as little as $20. Compared with the cost of a newspaper ad, when you consider the potential market you can reach with a website, it is a very cost effective way to promote your business.

1. IT WILL ENABLE YOU TO KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS INFORMED

Think of your website as being your online brochure or catalogue. It is much easier and quicker to update information about your products and services on your website than in print material, making it an effective way of letting your customers know about the arrival of new products, upcoming events, special promotions, or any new services you now offer. Unlike print ads which quickly become outdated, your website can provide current information and news.

1. IT IS ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE

A website is available to both your regular and potential customers 24/7/365 providing them with the convenience of reviewing your products and services when your store or office is closed. With today’s busy lifestyles, this is a great selling point when making a purchase decision.

1. A WEBSITE MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO TARGET A WIDER MARKET

Whether you provide products or services, your website will provide an alternative location to sell them. As a retailer, a website (eCommerce) is a great place to sell your products to a wider market; even services can be made available globally. Don’t think you’ll be able to sell your products or services online? Don’t forget, even cars and houses sell online!

1. IT PROVIDES A MEDIUM ON WHICH TO SHOWCASE YOUR WORK

No matter what type of business you’re in, a website is a great place to showcase your work. By including a portfolio or image gallery, as well as testimonials about your work, you can demonstrate what makes your business unique.

1. A WEBSITE SAVES YOU TIME

Providing information to your customers takes time, whether it’s on the phone, face-to-face, in a brochure, or in emails. With an online catalogue you can provide lots of information about your products and services. Once your website is up and running, it is available to your customers indefinitely, saving you time. And what is time? Time is money!

1. IT IMPROVES CUSTOMER SERVICE

Maybe you sell environmentally friendly products and would like to share tips on how to recycle, or perhaps you’re an accountant and want to give your clients advice on how to simplify their bookkeeping practices. By including a FAQ page, adding articles or uploading newsletters to answer all your customers’ questions you can keep them up-to-date. What better way to provide them with value added service than by sharing information on your website.