Websites should be structured in a way that is easy to navigate and familiar to your end users but unique in that way that it gets your specific points across. What are your users looking for and what do you or your business want to say to the world? Websites are not just local they are worldwide and you need to determine who is the main audience that you wish to reach. Your main goal should make it easy for visitors to understand your website and quickly find what they are looking for.
The type of website you create determines the necessary pages and their presentation. Here are some major web pages you may want to consider including in your web design.
1. Home Page
This is the main entry point and landing page for your website. It should provide an overview of your business, products, services, or personal information you wish to share.
2. About Us
This page gives visitors more information about your company, its history, mission, values, and the team behind it.
A page (or set of pages) that showcases and provides detailed information about the products or services you offer and the costs involved. Every website can sell something, so decide what you want to offer your end users. Are you a service business or an e-commerce business? If you are going to sell something, then you will need a secure merchant account.
4. Contact Us
This page should include your contact information, such as email, phone number, physical address, and a contact form for visitors to reach out to you and links to auto dial or email address link.
A page that addresses common questions and concerns your customers may have.
6. Blog/News
If you plan to regularly publish new content, a blog or news section can help engage visitors and showcase your expertise.
A page detailing the rules and guidelines for using your website and its content. Outline your website's privacy practices and how you handle user data. Detail the rules and guidelines for refunding your customers.
8. Testimonials
A page of real positive testimonials are statements or endorsements made by your customers, clients, or individuals who have had a favorable experience with a product, service, or company.
A well-curated portfolio showcasing your past projects and work can be an incredibly powerful way to showcase your skills, experience, and capabilities to potential customers or clients.
10. Resources
By offering a dedicated resources web page, website owners can enhance the overall user experience, position themselves as thought leaders or subject matter experts, and provide additional value to their audience, ultimately increasing engagement and building trust with their users. Resources are a great showcase for professionals to educate their end users.
11. Calendar of Events or Event Page
If you have ongoing events, an online calendar and events page is an absolute must-have. This page will keep your members up-to-date and coming back to see what's new.
A good practice is to gather a mailing list of people who want to be on your email program and keep them informed of what is happening every month. This will keep your members updated on what you wish to showcase, discounts, sales, or upcoming events.
13. Start Here Page
Start Here Pages could be a variety of call-to-action type links to the pages you want to direct your visitors to go to. It is great for first-time visitors of the site and allows you to shape a new user experience and funnel them to the pages that could potentially lead to a sale. A good start here page, also known as a "getting started" page, should be designed to provide new users or visitors with a clear and concise introduction to the website or application. The primary purpose of a Start Here page is to successfully guide users through the initial steps of using the service or navigating the website.
In Conclusion, The specific pages needed may vary depending on the type of website, your industry, and the features you want to offer. However, these core pages are generally considered essential for most websites but you might not require all of them.
Designing an effective website goes beyond just including the basic necessary pages. A successful website needs to be thoughtfully structured and tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the target audience, while also conveying the unique identity and message of the business, individual, or organization.
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