10 Website Essentials Every Website Needs 2023
To set your site up for success, we put together a checklist of website basics foundational for building an effective website. Download our free website checklist and use it to ensure you have all the essentials covered. In this article, we cover key website basics such as picking the best website platform, key lead generation tools for your business, planning for search engine optimization (SEO), and website security.
Follow along when planning your site by downloading our free website checklist. Use the Google Docs or MS Word versions to create your own website basics planning checklist:
1. Content Management System (CMS)
First on the list of website basics needed to build a small business website is a content management system, also called a CMS. There are a number of options available. Which one is going to be best for your business will depend on what matters most to you, including things like customization capabilities, functionality, built-in features, ease of use, and price.
For example, while WordPress is widely used, it’s also the most difficult and time-consuming. We recommend that small businesses use an all-in-one website builder like Wix or Squarespace instead, as site builders are far easier to use and tend to be more affordable. The best website builders offer all-in-one solutions, including a domain, SSL certificate, security updates, and search engine optimization (SEO).
Here are the five best content management systems for small businesses based on use-case. Click on the links for each one to research how to build your website on any of these CMS platforms, taking note of the complexity, time requirements, or financial investment of each.
*- Wix: Best beginner-friendly website builder for sites needing custom features and design capabilities to build a strong brand identity. Build your site in the free version, then choose a plan starting from $16 per month.
*- Squarespace: Best if your small business needs a beautiful and functional website quickly and affordably. Use the 14-day free trial to explore the templates and test the site editor. All-inclusive plans start at $16 per month.
*- Weebly: Great platform for easily building an online store at an affordable price. Create an online store in the free version, then upgrade to ad-free plans with a free domain for as low as $12.
*- GoDaddy: Built-in online booking tools make it the best option for local service-based businesses. You can make your site in the free version and then choose from plans starting at $9.99 a month the first year when you’re ready to publish your site.
*- WordPress: Best for businesses with complex website requirements and the budget to hire a web designer or developer. The WordPress CMS is free. However, you’ll need a plan with hosting, domain, and SSL at a minimum. DreamHost and Bluehost have these starting from $2.95 a month and come with business email addresses.
2. Domain Name
Every website uses a domain name (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com). You can get a domain name from a domain name registrar such as Domain.com or Google Domains starting under $10. Costs for domains vary by type (.com, .org, .store, and so on), and premium domain names can run into the thousands.
3. Web Hosting
In addition to a domain name and CMS, every site also requires web hosting to be available live on the web as a website basic. With all-in-one website builders like Squarespace and Weebly, it comes as part of your package, so there’s no need to buy hosting separately. However, if you’re using WordPress, you will need to purchase a web hosting plan from a hosting provider like Bluehost or DreamHost.
4. SSL Certificates Are Website Basics Too
You may have noticed web URLs start with “http” or “https.” The https represents a more secure site that has a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate. SSL certificates provide a layer of encryption and protection for your visitors during a data breach. Leading providers like Bluehost and DreamHost provide a free SSL certificate with web hosting purchase, and they’re also included with most all-in-one site builders.
SSL data encryption is a requirement for any site that accepts online payments, but it’s now one of the website basics every site should have. SSL certificates make your business look more legitimate, and they are even a factor used by Google in rankings. Learn about some of the other ways you can help your site rank higher on Google.
5. High-quality Template or Theme
No matter which CMS you choose, selecting a high-quality template or theme that comes with the design and functionality you need is part of your website checklist. A good theme or template makes a much better starting point for your website than a blank page.
You’ll be able to build your website at a higher quality and in less time. Where you get your template or theme from depends on which CMS you choose to use.
6. Brand Assets: Logo, Fav Icon, Color Scheme
Business website basics extend to key assets that give your site its brand identity. Gather assets such as your logo, a favicon image (or site icon), color scheme, fonts, and the slogan or tagline you want to use on your site.
7. Graphics & Images
When it comes to what makes a good website, quality images and videos can make or break a website—so much so that poor quality graphics are one of the fastest ways new sites look unprofessional. However, professional photography can be expensive. Resist the temptation to use low-quality photos or graphics, and use professional stock photos and graphics instead.
Sites like Pixabay, VistaCreate, and Canva allow you to get professional graphics and free images for websites. But keep in mind that while some sites offer free images and graphics, you may have to sift through a lot of amateur offerings to find quality images for your website. It takes time to find the perfect images, but it’s worth it, as web design statistics show that 50% of consumers believe a company’s website design is integral to the brand.
8. Data Reports & Analytics Tracking
To make informed decisions on your website, you need access to site traffic data, reports, and analytics. Get started with our list of the best free and easy ways to check your website’s traffic.
Tools like Google Analytics, Semrush, and Ahrefs give you insight into how many people visit your site, which pages they visit, how long they spend on your site, and how they found your site. The data these sites provide shows how effective your marketing campaigns are, what keywords your site ranks for, and ways to strategically optimize and promote your site.
9. SEO Tools & Plugins
It’s no easy feat to get found in engines, including Google. If you use WordPress, one way to improve your site’s ability to rank higher in search is by using an SEO plugin. With the help of a plugin like Yoast SEO, you can edit your page and post snippets, add meta tags, get SEO suggestions for improvements (e.g., using your keywords in your content or permalinks, or adding alt-tags to images), and see your page’s SEO rating.
10. Contact Information
You might not know this, but website statistics show that nearly half of all site visitors will exit a site if it doesn’t display the company’s contact information. In other words, missing website basics like failing to display your info is a fast way to make your business appear untrustworthy. At a minimum, display your business’ name and address and give site visitors a way to contact you, such as via email or phone.