Pages that every website needs
New designers can be quite excited to work on a website. Once they begin, their creativity is enlivened and their mind is robust with ideas to stylize the site. About a quarter of the way through, they become frazzled, a bit lost on how to map out the navigation of the pages. They might not know, or even forgot, to place an “About” page on the site or how to properly utilize the home page. In their frayed state, they attempt to perfect the site without the proper grasp on the importance of each page. Sure, the designer may be knowledgeable, but he may be poor in the actual practice of building the site. Think of it like this: Whenever a visitor enters a website, it’s like treading into the unknown. The way the pages of the site are labeled acts as a descriptive roadmap to the visitor. Without the roadmap, the message you want to convey to your visitors may be unclear. So, what are the salient locations that every roadmap needs? This guide will help you with that, outlining the pages that every website needs.
Home Page
This is the center, the hub. This is where the owner of site must clearly distill his vision on what he has to deliver. The home page must be bold and unique. It conveys to the visitor why he should remain on your site. Every page stems from this page and every page leads back to it. The other pages on the site include the link back to the home page because that is the direction that is the most clear. If a website has an “Articles” section, it would be best to link back to the home, the stem, the place where the visitor began his journey on your site. A stellar website inscribes upon the visitor’s mind that the site has something to offer, that it’s not a waste of space. The home page gives a transparent, cogent argument for why the visitor should continue to travel your site and learn more about what you do. Ensure the home page doesn’t suck.
About
This page provides the background and history of the site and, maybe, its owner. It’s best to be descriptive on what you have to offer and what you have accomplished in the past (I.e any awards or recognition.) If you’re selling a service without an “About” page, then there is not enough reason, enough impetus for the casual visitor to partake in what you offer.
Products/ Services
This is probably the page that you want all of your visitors to land upon. This provides info on the products and services that you offer. Describe the services briefly but effectively. Include the reason why someone needs the service or the product. Your detailing why your product/service is awesome and unique. This is very important if you want to convert sales.
FAQ
The frequently asked questions section should meet the most common inquiries or quandaries that your visitor may have. If something about your services isn’t clear, make it transparent in this section. There shouldn’t be any ambiguities once someone clicks on this page.
Testimonials
This is the opportunity to show off your stripes. This page lists any positive reviews of the services you have. The reviews are written by real people and should solidify your legitimacy in the business.
Contact
This is where your visitors can learn your contact information: your email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc. Often, many sites will have contact forms on the site so the visitor can leave a message without even opening a new tab. Every website needs a contact page, in case your clients have an immediate dilemma or problem. Providing them no way to contact you is bad business.
You want your site to be descriptive but to the point. Provide detail but make it brief. Give ample reason whys the visitor should buy into your product. Design the site so that it is familiar yet unique. You won’t do it, however, just by reading this. Begin designing the navigation to the site. Make it awesome.
