Essential Website Components

In order to create a professional website, it must contain some essential website components.

Although the Internet has provided a wealth of opportunity for all of us, it has also created a breeding ground for scam artists. Internet users are very reluctant to make purchases online and share their personal information.

For this reason, you must take every opportunity to convey your professionalism. From your website and products to your customer service, each will play a part in your success.

The moment your site loads, your visitors will have an instant reaction — your site will either look professional or it won’t. If your site doesn’t look professional, your visitors may leave your site prematurely and never return.

If you’re not confident in your ability to design a professional website, here are a few options:

1. Hire a professional web designer. This option can be very expensive and take a lot of time.

2. Purchase a premade website template – Template Monster provides website templates you can purchase very reasonably. A website template is a predesigned website you can edit with your own information. You can also hire Template Monster to add your information to the template. They are reasonably priced and can have your new website up quickly.

3. Create your website online – Use a service like Wix to create a professional-looking website right online. You can get a free website designed for you with the “Wix Artificial Design Intelligence” or design your own website with the Wix Editor.

So, if you’d like to get a professional website up quickly and don’t want to do all of the work yourself, Template Monster or Wix may be your answer.

In addition to having a professional appearance, a professional website should possess the following essential website components:

Domain Name / Web Hosting

In order to establish credibility, you must be willing to invest in your own domain name and professional web hosting. Hostgator is a quality web hosting company that provides everything you’ll need at a reasonable price.

Professional Logo

A professional looking logo is an absolute must. It will give your site a professional appearance and enable your visitors to recognize your brand.

Your logo should be displayed in the top left corner of each page of your website.

If you’re not confident in your ability to design a logo, you can get a logo designed at Fiverr for a reasonable price.

Theme-based Content

Your website should focus on a specific subject and provide a variety of information that relates to the subject. For example, if your website focuses on dog grooming, your pages might include all of the following:

• Include dog grooming articles
• Publish a dog grooming ezine (newsletter)
• Provide dog grooming tips
• Sell dog grooming accessories
• Provide links to dog grooming resources
• Include dog grooming news links
• Display dog grooming photographs

Content comes in a variety of forms including news, articles, and videos. Fresh, original content is preferable. If you’d rather not create your own content, you can hire people to create the content you need at Fiverr.

Email Capture

Collecting your potential customers’ email addresses is one of the most important essential website components. Whether you publish an ezine, provide website and/or product updates or tips, you must take every opportunity to capture your visitors’ email addresses. This will enable you to stay in touch with your subscribers and sell your products. One of the best and most trusted email services online is AWeber. They will take care of your list for you.

Display a subscription form on every page of your website.

Privacy Policy

Internet users are becoming more and more concerned about their privacy. Creating a “Privacy Policy” page is one of the most important essential website components.

Create a page on your website called “Privacy” and let your visitors know exactly how you will be using the information you collect.

This page should include an explanation of all of the following:

• How do you plan on using their information?
• Is their information sold or shared with a third party?
• Why do you collect their email address and how will it be used?
• Why do you track their IP address?
• Let your visitors know that you’re not responsible for the privacy issues of any outside websites you may be linking to.
• Why do you use order forms and what do you do with the information acquired?
• Do you run contests and what do you do with the information?
• Do you have a discussion forum or message board? Let your visitors know that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information and
that they should exercise caution.
• Do you have security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under your control? If so, let your visitors know.
• Let your visitors know how they can opt out of your mailing lists.
• Provide your visitors with your contact information should they have any questions about your privacy statement.

About Page

An “About” page is an essential part of a professional website. Your potential customers want to know exactly who you are.

Create a page to add to your website called “About” and include all of the following:

1. A personal or professional biography
2. A photograph of yourself
3. A complete description of you and/or your company
4. Your website and/or company objectives
5. Your name, address, phone number, and email address

It is very important that you include an “About” page — especially if you’re selling a product or service. You must do everything in your power to put your visitors’ minds at ease.

Testimonials

A great way to build your credibility with your potential customers is to display your customer testimonials. Include your customer’s name, email address and web address with
each unsolicited testimonial to increase believability.

Money Back Guarantee

To further increase your credibility, you must completely remove your potential customers’ risk. Provide them with a solid, no risk, money back guarantee. This will put their mind at ease by building their confidence in you and your product.

Feedback

Many times, potential customers will have questions about your products and services. Instead of displaying an email address on your website, consider using a feedback form.

Create a page on your web site called feedback and place a form on this page to enable your visitors to contact you.

Your personal response to your potential customers can literally determine whether or not you’re going to make a sale.

Secure Server

If you’re processing your customers’ orders online, you must place your order form on a secure server. Not only will a secure server protect your customers’ personal information, but it also provides him/her with added confidence in placing an order with you.

Copyrights

Display your copyright information at the bottom of each page. It’s best to include both the word Copyright and the © symbol, as some countries don’t recognize one or the other.

Your copyright might look like this:

Copyright © Year Company Name

By taking the time to ensure your site possesses these essential website components, you will increase your chances of success considerably.