14 most essential website features you need to implement

As the internet becomes an increasingly vital part of our daily lives, websites have become an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike. A well-designed website can attract visitors, build trust, and ultimately drive conversions.

However, not all websites are created equal. To make your website stand out, there are some essential features that you must include.

In this article, I will discuss the must-needed features for websites, from home page design to search functionality and more.

What is website feature?

Website features refer to the different functionalities and elements that are added to a website to enhance its usability, user experience, or overall value.

Examples of website features include navigation menus, contact forms, social media sharing buttons, search functionality, e-commerce capabilities, user registration and login, and interactive elements.

Incorporating the right website features can improve user engagement, increase conversions, and help website owners achieve their goals and objectives.

Must needed features for websites

#1 Home Page Design

Your home page is the first impression visitors will have of your website, so it's essential to get it right. A well-designed home page should:

• Be visually appealing and easy to navigate

• Clearly communicate your brand message and value proposition

• Provide an overview of your products or services

• Include calls to action (CTAs) that encourage visitors to take action, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form.

To achieve these goals, consider the following tips:

• Use high-quality images and videos to capture visitors' attention

• Use a clean, modern design that reflects your brand

• Use clear, concise headlines and subheadings to communicate your message

• Place your CTAs prominently on the page, such as in a header or sidebar.

#2 Website Footer

The website footer is often overlooked, but it plays an important role in providing information and navigation options to visitors. A well-designed footer should:

• Include important information such as contact details, social media links, and copyright information

• Provide links to key pages on your site, such as the About Us page or product categories

• Include a search bar to help visitors find what they're looking for

• Offer additional navigation options such as a sitemap or quick links to popular pages.

#3 Dynamic Content Pages

Dynamic content pages are those that are frequently updated with new content, such as blog posts or news articles. Including these pages on your website can:

• Improve your search engine rankings by providing fresh, relevant content

• Provide value to visitors by offering helpful information and insights

• Help establish your brand as a thought leader in your industry.

When creating dynamic content pages, consider the following tips:

• Choose topics that are relevant to your target audience

• Use a mix of media, such as text, images, and videos, to keep visitors engaged

• Use clear, concise headlines and subheadings to make it easy for visitors to skim and find what they're looking for.

#4 Control Panel

A control panel, also known as a content management system (CMS), is a back-end tool that allows you to manage and update your website. A good control panel should:

• Be user-friendly and intuitive

• Allow you to easily create and edit pages, upload media, and manage your site's design and layout

• Offer robust security features to protect your site from hackers and malware.

There are many CMS options available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some popular options include WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.

#5 Navigation Bar

The navigation bar is a crucial element of any website, as it allows visitors to quickly and easily find the information they need. A well-designed navigation bar should:

• Be prominently displayed at the top of each page

• Use clear, concise labels to describe each page or section of your site

• Include drop-down menus or submenus for more complex sites

• Be optimized for mobile devices, with a hamburger menu or similar design.

#6 Comment Box

Including a comment box on your website can be a great way to engage with your visitors and build a sense of community. A comment box should:

• Allow visitors to leave comments or feedback on your content

• Provide a platform for discussion and conversation

• Be moderated to prevent spam and inappropriate comments.

When using a comment box, it is important to consider the following:

• Ensure that it is easy to use and accessible, as this will encourage visitors to engage with your content and leave comments.

• Moderate comments regularly to ensure that only appropriate and relevant comments are posted on your website.

• Enable notifications so that you are aware when new comments are left on your website.

• Respond to comments promptly and professionally to show your visitors that you value their feedback and are committed to building a strong relationship with them.

• Consider using a third-party commenting system such as Disqus or Facebook Comments to improve the user experience and reduce the risk of spam or inappropriate comments.

Overall, including a comment box on your website can help you build a loyal following and engage with your audience in a meaningful way.

#7 Quick Jump Navigation

Quick jump navigation refers to a menu that allows visitors to quickly jump to different sections of a page or website. This feature can be particularly useful for longer pages or websites with a lot of content, as it allows visitors to quickly find the information they are looking for.

When designing a quick jump navigation menu, it is important to consider the following:

• Make sure it is easy to use and accessible, as this will encourage visitors to explore your content further.
• Include only the most important sections of your website or page, as too many options can be overwhelming and confusing for visitors.
• Use clear and concise labels for each section to ensure that visitors can easily identify the content they are looking for.
• Consider using anchor links to improve the user experience and allow visitors to quickly jump to a specific section of a page.

Overall, quick jump navigation can be a great way to improve the user experience on your website and help visitors find the information they need quickly and easily.

#8 Resource Page

A resource page is a dedicated page on your website that provides visitors with a list of helpful resources related to your industry or niche. This can include links to blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, and other relevant content.

When creating a resource page, it is important to consider the following:

• Ensure that the resources you include are relevant and helpful to your visitors.
• Organize your resources into categories or sub-sections to make them easier to navigate and find.
• Include brief descriptions or summaries of each resource to give visitors an idea of what to expect before clicking on the link.
• Consider updating your resource page regularly to keep it fresh and up-to-date.

Overall, a resource page can be a valuable addition to your website, providing visitors with a wealth of helpful information and resources to explore.

#9 Contact Information

Including contact information on your website is essential for building trust with your visitors and providing them with a way to get in touch with you if they have any questions or concerns.

When including contact information on your website, it is important to consider the following:

• Include multiple methods of contact, such as email, phone, and social media, to give visitors a choice of how to reach you.
• Ensure that your contact information is accurate and up-to-date, as outdated or incorrect information can lead to frustration and lost opportunities.
• Consider including a map or directions to your physical location if you have a brick-and-mortar store or office.
• Make sure that your contact information is easy to find and prominently displayed on your website, such as in the header or footer.

Overall, including contact information on your website is an important way to build trust with your visitors and provide them with the information they need to get in touch with you.

#10 Contact Form

In addition to including your contact information on your website, it is also important to include a contact form. A contact form allows visitors to send you a message directly from your website, without the need to open their email client or phone.

When creating a contact form, it is important to consider the following:

• Keep the form short and simple, asking only for necessary information
• Include fields for name, email, and message
• Use clear and concise labels for each field
• Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) button, such as “Send Message” or “Submit”
• Provide feedback to the user when the message is successfully sent
• Consider including a captcha or other spam prevention measure to filter out bots

A well-designed contact form can make it easier for visitors to get in touch with you, increasing the likelihood of receiving inquiries, feedback, or potential business opportunities. It also provides a professional and convenient way to communicate with your audience, demonstrating that you value their input and are committed to building a strong relationship with them.

#12 About Us Section

The “About Us” page is an essential part of any website. This is where you can tell your visitors who you are, what your business is about, and what sets you apart from your competitors. Your “About Us” page should:

• Be easy to find on your website
• Be visually appealing with images and multimedia
• Be informative and engaging, telling your story and the story of your business
• Be updated regularly to reflect any changes or updates to your business.

#13 Search Functionality

If your website has a lot of content or products, it is important to include a search functionality. A search bar allows visitors to quickly and easily find what they are looking for, without having to navigate through menus and submenus.

When adding a search bar to your website, consider the following:

• Place the search bar in a prominent location, such as in the header or sidebar
• Ensure the search bar is easy to use and understand
• Provide filters or sorting options to help visitors narrow down their search results.

#14 Custom 404 Page

A 404 page is the page that is displayed when a visitor tries to access a page on your website that doesn’t exist. This can happen if a page has been deleted or if a visitor mistypes a URL. A custom 404 page can help to keep your visitors engaged with your website, even if they encounter an error.

When creating a custom 404 page, consider the following:

• Make the page visually appealing with images and multimedia
• Provide a clear message explaining what has happened and how the visitor can navigate back to your website
• Include links to your most popular pages or categories to help visitors find what they are looking for.

11. Subscription form

In addition to a contact form, having a subscription form on your website can be an effective way to gather email addresses from your visitors and keep them informed of your latest news and updates.

A subscription form should:

• Be prominently placed on your website, ideally above the fold
• Clearly state what subscribers can expect to receive (e.g. newsletter, blog updates, special offers)
• Ask for minimal information, usually just name and email address
• Offer an incentive for signing up, such as a free e-book or exclusive content
• Be easy to unsubscribe from, to avoid annoying subscribers.

By building an email list through a subscription form, you can nurture leads and stay in touch with potential customers over time, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Importance of good website features

Ensure Better User Experience

Having good website features ensures a better user experience for visitors. Features such as a well-designed home page, easy navigation, and quick jump links can make it easier for users to find what they're looking for, leading to a positive experience.

Emphasize Users to Stay Longer Time on Website

Good website features can encourage users to stay longer on a site. For example, dynamic content pages and a resource page with useful information can keep users engaged and browsing for longer periods.

Create Value for Users

When a website has valuable features, users are more likely to view it as a trusted and reliable source of information. By providing helpful resources, such as a contact form or search functionality, a website can create value for users and become a go-to destination.

Increase Conversion Rate

Website features can also have a direct impact on a website's conversion rate. For example, a clear call-to-action (CTA) button or a well-designed subscription form can encourage users to take action, resulting in higher conversion rates.

Make Search Engine Friendly Website

By incorporating good website features, a site becomes more search engine friendly. Features such as a custom 404 page, meta descriptions, and optimized images can help improve a site's search engine ranking and visibility.

Helps to Generate More Money

A well-designed website with valuable features can lead to increased revenue for a business. A site that is easy to navigate, has a clear CTA, and provides value for users is more likely to convert visitors into paying customers, resulting in more revenue.

Establishes Credibility

A website with good features, such as clear navigation and a professional design, can help establish credibility and trust with users. This is important for businesses that want to attract customers and build a positive reputation.

Improves Brand Awareness

Good website features can help improve brand awareness by creating a memorable user experience. A well-designed website with strong branding elements can help users remember your brand and encourage them to return in the future.

Helps with Analytics

Good website features can help you track and analyze user behavior, such as which pages are most popular and where users are dropping off. This information can be used to optimize your website and improve the user experience, leading to better conversion rates and more revenue.

Boosts SEO

Good website features, such as fast page speed, responsive design, and clear navigation, can help boost your website's SEO. Search engines prioritize websites that provide a good user experience, so optimizing your website's features can lead to higher search engine rankings and more traffic.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, these are some of the essential features that every website should have to provide a good user experience. By including these features, you can create a website that is easy to navigate, engaging, and informative, which will ultimately lead to a better experience for your visitors and increased engagement with your business.

Frequently asked questions 

Q1. Why is the home page design important for a website?

A1. The home page is the first thing that visitors see when they arrive on your website, and it sets the tone for the rest of their experience. A good home page design can make a strong first impression and encourage visitors to stay on your site longer. Here are some key elements of a good home page design:

• Clear and concise messaging that explains what your website is about

• Eye-catching visuals that grab visitors' attention

• Easy-to-use navigation that directs visitors to the content they're looking for

• A clear call-to-action that encourages visitors to take the next step

Q2. What should be included in a website footer?

A2. The website footer is an important part of your website's design, and it should include the following elements:

• Navigation links to important pages on your website

• Contact information, including your address, phone number, and email address

• Social media links

• Copyright information

• A site map or index that lists all of the pages on your website

Q3. What are dynamic content pages?

A3. Dynamic content pages are pages on your website that are generated on-the-fly based on user input or other factors. They can be used to display personalized content, such as recommended products or services, or to provide real-time updates, such as news or weather reports. Some common examples of dynamic content pages include:

• Search results pages

• Product pages with dynamic pricing and availability information

• User account pages with personalized content and settings

• News feeds or social media feeds

Q4. What is a control panel and why is it important for a website?

A4. A control panel is a backend interface that allows website owners to manage various aspects of their website, such as content, settings, and user accounts. A control panel is important for a website because it allows the owner to:

• Easily add, edit, and delete content on their website

• Manage user accounts and access permissions

• Configure settings and preferences for their website

• Monitor website traffic and performance

Q5. What is a navigation bar and why is it important for a website?

A5. A navigation bar is a menu that appears on every page of a website and allows visitors to easily navigate to different sections of the site. A navigation bar is important for a website because it:

• Provides visitors with a clear and consistent way to access different pages on the site

• Helps visitors find the information they're looking for more quickly and easily

• Can improve the overall user experience of the website

Q6. What is a comment box and why is it important for a website?

A6. A comment box is a feature that allows visitors to leave comments or feedback on your website. A comment box is important for a website because it:

• Encourages engagement and conversation on the site

• Provides a platform for visitors to share their thoughts and opinions

• Can help build a sense of community around the website

Q7. What is a quick jump navigation and why is it important for a website?

A7. A quick jump navigation is a feature that allows visitors to quickly navigate to different sections of a long or complex page. A quick jump navigation is important for a website because it:

• Helps visitors find the information they're looking for more quickly and easily

• Improves the overall user experience of the website

• Can reduce bounce rates and increase time on site