In today’s digital world, having a website is essential for businesses and personal brands alike. However, it’s not just about having a website; it’s about having the right features in place to make your website functional, user-friendly, and visible on search engines. From choosing the best hosting provider to deciding between a custom WordPress theme or a fully custom-coded website, this article will guide you through the essential features every website needs.
Hosting Options: The Foundation of Your Website
Before you even think about design, you need to choose the right hosting provider. Hosting is what keeps your website accessible on the internet, and there are plenty of options available, each with its own pros and cons.
Popular Hosting Providers:
- Hostinger
Hostinger is known for its affordable pricing and easy-to-use platform. With prices starting as low as £0.99 per month, it’s a popular option for small businesses and bloggers. They offer a user-friendly control panel and excellent customer support. The downside is that its cheapest plans may not provide enough resources for larger, traffic-heavy websites. - GoDaddy
A big name in hosting, GoDaddy offers a wide range of hosting solutions from shared hosting to VPS and dedicated servers. Their pricing is competitive, and they offer one-click WordPress installation. However, GoDaddy is known for its upselling tactics, which may be a drawback for those who prefer straightforward pricing. - Bluehost
Bluehost is an official WordPress-recommended hosting provider, offering solid performance and excellent customer service. Prices start around £2.75 per month, and it’s perfect for WordPress websites. The downside is that their renewal rates can be significantly higher than their introductory rates. - SiteGround
Known for its speed and reliability, SiteGround is a solid choice for business websites. It offers top-tier security features, daily backups, and excellent customer support. However, their pricing is on the higher side compared to other hosting providers.
WordPress Themes vs. Custom Coded Websites: Which is Better?
Once you’ve sorted out hosting, the next step is design. Here’s where you have two main options: a custom WordPress theme or a custom-coded website.
Custom WordPress Theme and The benefits from essential features perspective for the website
Pros:
- Cost-effective: A custom WordPress theme can be significantly cheaper than a custom-coded website.
- Easy to manage: WordPress is user-friendly, making it easy to update content without needing technical knowledge.
- Large community support: With thousands of plugins and themes available, WordPress makes it easy to add new essential features.
Cons:
- Limited customisation: Even with a custom theme, you’re somewhat limited by what WordPress can do.
- Plugin dependency: Often, you’ll need to rely on third-party plugins, which can sometimes lead to compatibility issues or security risks.
Custom-Coded Website has huge advantage in the essential features pack
Pros:
- Full customisation: A custom-coded website gives you complete control over every aspect of your site’s design and functionality.
- Better performance: Without the need for plugins or excessive code, custom websites tend to perform faster.
- Unique design: Since the website is built from the ground up, you’ll have a unique look and feel that sets you apart from competitors.
Cons:
- Higher cost: Custom coding requires more time and skill, which means it comes at a higher price point.
- More complex management: You’ll likely need a web developer for updates, which can lead to ongoing costs.
Essential Features Every Website Needs
Whether you choose a custom WordPress theme or a custom-coded website, there are essential features that every successful website should include:
1. Mobile Responsiveness is truly part of the essential features
With over 50% of internet traffic coming from mobile devices, having a mobile-responsive design is crucial. Your website should adapt seamlessly to screens of all sizes, ensuring a great user experience no matter what device visitors use.
2. SEO Optimization
Without proper SEO (Search Engine Optimization), your website won’t rank on search engines like Google. Essential features like meta tags, alt text for images, and SEO-friendly URLs should be incorporated from the start.
3. Fast Loading Times
In today’s fast-paced world, users won’t stick around if your website takes too long to load. Optimise images, use caching plugins (for WordPress), and ensure your hosting provider offers high-speed servers.
4. User-Friendly Navigation is another important part of the essential features
A website should be easy to navigate. This includes having a clear and simple menu structure, breadcrumbs for larger sites, and logical internal linking. When visitors can find what they’re looking for quickly, they’re more likely to stay on your site.
5. SSL Certificate plays also role in the essential features list
Having an SSL certificate ensures that your website is secure. This is especially important if you’re running an e-commerce store or collecting any form of personal data. Additionally, Google gives preference to secure websites when ranking pages.
6. Contact Forms and CTAs (Call-to-Actions)
Every website needs to have a clear way for visitors to contact you or perform a specific action. This could be a contact form, a click-to-call button, or a clear call-to-action like “Buy Now” or “Get a Quote.”
7. CMS Integration – very essential, very important part of the essential features
For those who need to update their content frequently, having a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress is essential. It allows you to easily update blog posts, product pages, and other content without needing a developer.
Benefits of Hiring a Web Designer
While DIY website builders exist, hiring a professional web designer can ensure that your website is both functional and visually appealing. A web designer will:
- Tailor the design to your brand and business goals.
- Ensure your website is optimized for performance and SEO.
- Help you with ongoing maintenance, ensuring your site stays updated and secure.
- Provide you with a unique website, not just a cookie-cutter template.
DRTS WebWorks – a web design agency in Manchester
We focus on every crucial detail to ensure your website is not only visually appealing but also fully optimized for functionality and performance. We carefully structure each element, from hosting and design to user experience and SEO, ensuring your online presence is both professional and effective. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, we tailor our services to meet your specific needs, helping you stand out in the digital landscape. We make sure all the discussed essential feature are included in our websites.
Final Thoughts From The Author…
A well-designed website with the right essential features included is the key to growing your business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to revamp an existing website, I’m here to help. Check the top menu on my website for current offers and web design packages, and let’s get your website ordered today!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get a high-quality, fully functional website at affordable prices. Contact me now and take advantage of the limited-time discounts I’m offering for web design services. Let’s build your digital future together!
