If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably wondering what makes a website stand out, right? Whether it’s a consulting firm, a beauty salon, or a photographer’s portfolio, each of these businesses needs a website that showcases its benefits. However, there are some common features, and we’ll talk about them today.

Your online presence is crucial in the age of technology. I believe that you’re losing customers with every hour you don’t have a website. But what are these essential elements that you need?

Your website should have a clear purpose in every section. No matter where the visitor is on your page, you need to know what action you want them to take next. Do you want the visitor to get to know you better? Try your services? Buy the book you just wrote? Or build a community? These things should be clear from the first seconds they spend on your site. This way, you define what you expect from your potential customers.

If a website designer doesn’t ask you questions about your brand personality, they’re not really interested in your business.

Typically, brand personality questions are a way for the designer to better understand your business identity and create a design that reflects your desired values, tone, and message. In general, a brand is not just a logo or a website, but also a set of emotions, perceptions and associations that are formed in the minds of the public.

If a web designer asks you about your brand personality, it may indicate a deeper and more thoughtful approach aimed at creating a site that not only looks good, but also communicates correctly with your target audience. For example, a brand that wants to be perceived as professional and reliable will have a different design than a brand that wants to be playful and innovative.

However, if you feel like the questions aren’t relevant or the designer isn’t really engaging with your business, maybe you should look for a professional who can better connect with your vision and goals.

A website design should tell the story of your business, and that story should be communicated through text, images, and the overall structure of the page. For example, if you sell products, you should showcase them with high-quality images, effective calls-to-action, and testimonials from satisfied customers.

Who are the people who come to your website? What are their needs? What are their desires and expectations? It’s essential to know your target audience well in order to create a relevant and effective online experience.

In today’s digital world, websites are more than just a place for information—they are dynamic experiences that need to cater to the specific needs and behaviors of their users. A one-size-fits-all approach to web design and features simply doesn’t work anymore. Knowing your audience is crucial for creating a website that not only attracts visitors but also keeps them engaged, converts them into customers, and ensures they return. Here’s why understanding your audience is so important when developing your website features and how you can tailor them to meet your users’ needs.

You can’t imagine how important it is to have a simple name to remember. At the same time, it also helps with SEO, as well as recognizing your page on Google. A simple name is much easier to remember and write than a complicated one that is not easy to remember. I prefer web addresses that do not contain symbols or numbers. In fact, a website that includes numbers makes me think of a scam page.

Another important aspect is to include a word in the website address that indicates its field of activity. Think of a name that can evolve with your business, not one that limits you. Even when you have found the right name, it is important to check if it is available, because many names are already registered. On this website name.com you can check if the chosen name is available.

This can be achieved, first of all, through a clean design and a friendly interface, both for mobile and desktop. Every detail of your website is important and should not be neglected. If you would like to discuss your website and your business, feel free to leave me a message here.

The great thing about a website built in WordPress is that you can modify and improve its content according to the needs of your business.

The goal of a page is to get your reader or customer to take an action: to buy, sign up for a newsletter, attend a webinar, etc. A call to action (CTA) increases your conversion rate and turns your visitors into subscribers. It is important to use phrases like “Contact us now”, “Buy now” or “Register now”. The goal is to create a sense of need and urgency, so that your reader acts immediately so as not to miss out on the offer.

You can also offer a substantial discount or a free gift to encourage visitors to subscribe to your newsletter. Other important aspects are clear messaging, font size and, last but not least, the design of the site. A site should not be cluttered; it should have enough white space to “breathe” and make navigation more enjoyable.

Today, your potential customer is more likely to access your website from their mobile device, so it is essential that your website is “mobile-friendly”. Buttons should be easily accessible, and the actions you want your visitors to take should be intuitive. I often find myself on websites where I can’t find the information I need (price, offer validity, etc.) and I lose interest in the product.

What is also important is that the website loads quickly, the design is fluid and intuitive. The menu should be simple and easy to navigate, and the contrast between pages should be quite obvious to facilitate navigation.

The benefits should be the customer’s, not yours. I often see websites and posts that present the benefits of working with a certain company, but often these benefits are not necessarily relevant to the end customer. You need to create a message that highlights the benefits your business offers, precisely from the customer’s perspective.

You can even create a module on your website where you present a clear list of benefits for the customer who chooses you. The secret is to put yourself in the reader’s shoes and ask yourself: “If I were them, would I buy from you?”

Using storytelling is essential to help readers identify with your products, imagine the benefits, and understand what they are missing out on if they don’t take the step you want. We humans are emotional and visual, so you need to take advantage of this aspect. Use simple, easy-to-understand language, avoiding jargon unless absolutely necessary.

In addition, those images that tell a story are extremely valuable. Use quality photos to reinforce the message you are conveying and to make the site more attractive.

It is essential to earn your reader’s trust through the message you convey, the clarity of your site, and the testimonials you have. It’s no use having a quality product or service if your site doesn’t convey the same message of professionalism and trust. For example, I don’t spend more than 7 seconds on a site that doesn’t inspire trust.

If you sell services, be clear about your prices, and if they are personalized, mention this. Be transparent and this will be perceived by visitors. If there is a clear process by which the reader will work with you, explain it in detail. You can create a timeline that outlines the steps to follow, so that the reader knows exactly what to expect when they contact you.

Which platform to choose to build your website? WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, Drupal, or Joomla?

One of the first questions when building your website is: “Which CMS should I choose?”

If you don’t want to rely solely on your designer or developer to manage your website, I recommend using platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix. Avoid Drupal and Joomla unless you’re sure you don’t want to manage your site yourself in the future. While both Drupal and Joomla are powerful, they require advanced programming skills, are harder to maintain, and can be more challenging when troubleshooting technical issues.

WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are open-source platforms, meaning they are available for free in their basic versions.

On the other hand, Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify require a monthly subscription, and they are generally not as customizable as WordPress.

When to choose each platform:

• Wix is ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and individual sellers. It’s easy to use but offers limited customization.
• Shopify is perfect for large e-commerce stores looking to grow quickly and efficiently.
• Squarespace is known for its sleek design and user-friendly interface.
• WordPress offers extensive customization options with thousands of themes and plugins, but requires more time and effort for management and maintenance.

Feature comparison:

• Squarespace offers around 110 themes, while Wix provides over 900. Shopify offers around 200 themes, of which only 13 are free (premium themes can cost up to $500).
• In contrast, WordPress offers more than 9,000 free themes, making it the platform with the most options and around 30,000 themes (free and paid)
• WordPress also boasts over 70,000 plugins for added functionality, and roughly 493 million websites are built on this platform.

Which platform is best for you?

The platform you choose largely depends on your business needs and goals. If you need a robust e-commerce solution, Shopify is ideal. For flexibility and complete customization, WordPress is the best choice. If you prefer an easy-to-use site with professional design but minimal changes, Wix or Squarespace might be a good fit.

If you’re unsure which platform is right for you, I can help you make the right choice. Our meeting is 100% free!