Updated on September 2, 2025
Your website should help your business, not hinder it. Here are seven essentials you should check for.
We build these features into every Garrett Digital site!
1. Fast & Secure Site
A fast, secure website improves user experience, builds trust, and increases conversions.
- Use well-respected managed hosting with server-level caching for consistent speed and support.
- Compress and resize large image files to reduce load time.
- Install an SSL certificate so that your site loads as HTTPS. This is essential not only for security but also because most browsers will display warnings that can lead to immediate abandonment if your site is not secure.
- Use a content delivery network (CDN) to deliver site content faster across different geographic areas.
2. Mobile & Accessibility
Your site should work seamlessly on all devices and be usable by everyone.
- Use a responsive design that adapts to phones, tablets, and desktops.
- Ensure large tap targets, simplified forms, and layouts optimized for thumbs.
- Compress images and use modern formats like WebP to reduce load times on mobile.
- Follow accessibility standards, such as proper color contrast, keyboard navigation, alt text, readable font sizes, and semantic heading structure (H1, H2, H3).
3. Useful Navigation & Site Structure
Straightforward navigation and logical structure help users (and search engines) find what they need quickly.
- Keep primary menus to 5–7 clear items using familiar labels.
- Use dropdowns to group related content and maintain a clean layout.
- Add a search bar, especially for large sites.
- Structure pages so essential info is no more than 3 to 4 clicks from the homepage.
- Use breadcrumbs to show users where they are and let them easily move backward.
4. Engaging, High-Quality Content
Content should be clear, compelling, and tailored to your audience.
- Lead with a strong value proposition that explains what you do, who you help, and why you’re different.
- Keep language natural and focused on customer benefits, not technical jargon.
- Use real photos, team shots, or workspace imagery instead of generic stock.
- Break up text with bullet points, short paragraphs, and helpful subheadings.
- Integrate videos when possible to demonstrate your product or share testimonials.
5. Optimization for Users & SEO
SEO today is about clarity and relevance, not just keyword stuffing. The goal is to help users and answer questions they might have about your products or services.
- Optimize each page for a focused topic instead of multiple vague terms.
- Use descriptive, relevant page titles under 60 characters (no need to over-optimize).
- Structure your pages with logical heading tags (H1, H2, etc.).
- Ensure each page covers one topic well, with internal links to related pages.
6. Clear Calls to Action
Tell visitors what to do next and make it frictionless to act.
- Place prominent CTAs above the fold and throughout key sections.
- Use clear, action-oriented text like “Start Your Trial” or “Book a Call.”
- Make CTA buttons large enough for mobile use and visually distinct.
- Support forms should be short (3–4 fields max) and include autofill and mobile-friendly layouts.
- Add click-to-call phone numbers and appointment schedulers where appropriate.
7. Trust Signals, Social Proof
Give visitors reasons to trust you and act confidently.
- Display fresh testimonials (preferably from the last 6 months) with names, companies, and specific results.
- Showcase awards, certifications, and industry affiliations (e.g., BBB A+ rating, 5+ Google Reviews, etc).
- Include trust badges on contact and checkout pages.
- You should have an About Page that shows who you are, what you stand for, and how people can reach you.
- Tell your business origin story and share key milestones.
- Clearly list contact details, including phone, email, business address, and hours, in both the header/footer and on a dedicated Contact page.
- Include photos of your team or workspace to humanize your brand.
- Link to your social media accounts, if they are active and maintained.
If your site is missing any of these, it may be underperforming. Reach out to see how Garrett Digital can improve your website’s usability and performance and ensure it drives business results.
