10 Must-Have Elements Every Website Should Include
Your website speaks for your business long before you say a word. Whether you're a school, SACCO, law firm, tour agency, or e-commerce store, the structure of your site can either win trust or lose interest.
So, what should your website have?
Here are the most important elements every website, no matter the industry, should include.
1. Clear Navigation
People visit your site to find something. Make it easy.
Your main menu should be:
- Visible at the top of every page
- Simple with no more than 5–7 main items
- Clear about where each link goes
For example, a cleaning service might use: Home, About Us, Services, Testimonials, Contact.
Avoid hidden menus or industry jargon. If someone gets lost on your website, they’ll likely leave.
2. Mobile Responsiveness
More people visit websites on mobile than on desktop.
If your site doesn’t look right on a phone, you’re missing out.
A good mobile design:
- Adjusts layout automatically
- Loads fast on slow networks
- Keeps text readable without zooming
- Keeps buttons and links easy to tap
This isn’t optional. It’s expected.
3. Contact Information
Make it easy for people to reach you.
Your contact section should include:
- Phone number
- Email address
- Physical location (if applicable)
- A simple contact form
For service businesses like law firms or repair companies, quick contact builds trust. Also, place key contact details in your site’s header or footer—not just on the Contact page.
4. Call to Action (CTA)
What do you want your visitor to do?
- Book an appointment?
- Request a quote?
- Buy a product?
- Subscribe to a newsletter?
Use short, direct CTAs like:
- “Call Now”
- “Get a Free Quote”
- “Book Online”
- “Download the Brochure”
Place CTAs near the top and bottom of each page.
If you're a web design company in Nairobi targeting local SMEs, your CTA could be “Request a Free Website Audit.”
5. Fast Load Time
People leave slow websites. Period.
Every second your site delays loading increases bounce rates.
Ways to improve speed:
- Compress images
- Use clean code
- Remove unnecessary animations or pop-ups
- Choose a reliable hosting provider
Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you measure load times and find issues.
6. Social Proof
People trust people more than ads.
Add:
- Customer reviews
- Client logos
- Case studies
- Testimonials
If you’re a tour company, a review like “The balloon safari was amazing—thank you for planning everything!” gives more value than a long sales pitch.
Try to use names and photos to build credibility.
7. About Page That Builds Trust
Your About page shouldn’t be just history. It should show who you are, what you do, and why it matters.
Include:
- A photo of your team or office
- A short backstory
- Your mission or values
- Why someone should choose you
8. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
You want to be found on Google. Structure your content around real user queries.
- Use clear page titles
- Add meta descriptions
- Include keywords naturally (like “affordable web design in Kenya”)
- Use ALT tags on images
- Keep URLs short and readable
Don’t stuff your content. Focus on helping users.
9. Secure SSL Certificate
People want to know their data is safe.
SSL (https) is the green padlock next to your web address. It encrypts data sent between your site and users.
Search engines prefer secure sites, and some browsers block access to websites without SSL.
Most hosting providers offer SSL for free.
10. Clear Visual Design
Your design should match your message.
A school website might use bright colors and friendly fonts. A law firm may choose a professional tone with clean layouts.
Avoid clutter. Use:
- Consistent colors and fonts
- Enough spacing
- Quality images—not pixelated or stretched
- A simple layout that guides attention
Make sure everything supports your brand and is easy to read.
Think About Your Visitors
Before you add a feature, ask: Will this help my visitor take action?
Many businesses fill their sites with too much text, auto-playing videos, or endless sliders. These distract more than they help.
Start small. Test what works. And keep improving.
Whether you’re building from scratch or redesigning an existing site, work with a team that focuses on practical results, not just how things look.
If you're based in Kenya and need help, choose a creative web design and development agency that understands local needs and user habits.
What’s missing from your site today?
Take a fresh look—and give your visitors what they came for.
