Whether you are setting up an online business or a web presence for a new company, there are some vital components that almost every website should have. Rather than starting on the wrong foot with your website, learn about what is considered essential. This will put you on the right track towards a functional and responsive site that people will love to visit.

Today we are going to outline the five things that every website needs.

1. Always Have Quality Content

Quality material that delivers value is highly important. While you don’t always need a blog (although it is recommended in most cases), you DO need a message that is understandable and clear. Whether this is your “About Us” page, the home page, or the blog, you need to have information that speaks to your target audience. Use every opportunity you can to connect with visitors.

Valuable content does not use “salesy” language. It should not contain much about “you”. It is more about your client or potential client, and what is important to them. Freely give information that will benefit the user, with no expectation in return.

2. Opt-Ins

If you want to launch a business that generates income, then you need to get people interested in what you do and build an audience. This includes growing a list of subscribers or followers. One way to do that is with an opt-in. If you have a blog, you can offer subscriptions to the blog, free ebooks, or other free offers. If you are running an e-commerce store, you can send coupons or newsletters about your services. Either way, opt-ins are an excellent way to gather emails to keep contact with potential and return customers alike.

3. Add Testimonials Or Case Studies

Potential customers want to know whether they can trust you. If they trust you, they will be more willing to choose your service or product. Since your website can build credibility for your business, you can use Google, Facebook, Yelp and other reviews to highlight your strengths. There are plugins that can be installed to feed reviews to your site and filter them if desired. If you handle negative comments with attention and grace, that even shows honesty and transparency. This will also garner interest in your business and boost content.

4. Include Multi-Media

If possible, use varied media like images and video. People love visuals. Customers want to see the faces of the people behind the screen. They want to know you are alive. Have before-and-after pictures. Develop a portfolio if you provide services. If you don’t need one, you can show pictures of your equipment, your team members, or even product demonstrations. If you have e-commerce, you can even invite customers to share images of your products or services with you for “user generated content.” Don’t overlook social media accounts for these methods either.

5. Easy Navigation

Think about the last time you got trapped on a website trying to navigate to information. You probably left before getting the answers you were seeking. Since you do not want people leaving your site out of confusion or, worse, not getting anything out of your site, you should always provide clear navigation. Make sure you have a crisp UI, including a clear menu, search bar, and call to action. Pay attention even to your “Page not found” page, in case you should ever miss a dead link. This page can get the user back on track in a clever way that reflects your brand.

There you have it: five things that every website needs. It’s important to not only have a fantastic design, but to gain the attention of potential customers.