WordPress undoubtedly the most popular platform for website development. Most users have simply become accustomed to it and could not imagine using anything else.

Of course, this adaptation comes with certain expectations in the sense that a well-developed website needs to meet the expectation of the customer. Be it your clients or anyone else, missing a few key items can really make a mess of the whole situation. 

This article will give you a rundown of what every WordPress site should include. If you are making one for yourself and lack experience, hopefully this article will help you avoid future mistakes.

Knowledge Base or FAQ

Let us start with something that is often overlooked. A good knowledge base functions as a foundation of any website. These days, customers are often looking to get information on their own rather than waiting for a delayed response from a live chat widget.

And it is not just the visitors. Your employees will also have a reference source that ensures every single person is on the same page when it comes to various matters. You can find more about all the benefits by reading this list of an effective knowledge base features compiled by HeroThemes

Woman using a responsive website on her phone

Responsive Theme

User experience matters and you should do as much as you can to ensure that every single website visitor feels welcomed and comfortable. A well-designed theme that is responsive and easy to navigate will go a long way so be sure to not neglect this step.

Contact Page

A contact page is one of those things you expect to see regardless of the type of the website. Of course, if you are running a business, it should be a no-brainer, but even a simple blog can benefit a lot when there is a clear way to get in touch with the person behind the project.

Some people might want to cooperate with you and offer something nice so missing out on this kind of opportunity is not something you don’t want to miss, right? Only listing a public phone number may be too direct in some cases, but a contact form, as well as an email address, should be there.

Google sign in front of a colorful building

SEO Optimization for Traffic Growth

There are a lot of different ways to drive traffic to your website, but when it comes to overall quality, nothing beats organic visitors.

Search engine optimization is a tough thing to master, but it helps businesses who strive for growth and a dominating brand presence online.

Keep in mind that it may be better to hire a professional who knows their way around the topic instead of trying to learning these techniques on your own as it is an ever-evolving industry with constant changes and updates to the search algorithm — especially if you are looking to save some time and want to focus on other matters. 

A Blog to Generate New, Fresh Content

Blog happens to be another part that you would not want to miss out on, even if your focus lies completely elsewhere.

Blogs are great for a number of reasons. First of all, unique and quality content help score positive signals from Google which improve SEO results. You can also share some of your thoughts and establish stronger bonds with your audience by proving domain expertise. Finally, it is a great way to explore a more creative side of things and express yourself in other ways. 

Chat bubble

Live Chat

While some would argue that this feature is not crucial for most websites, business-focused ones will not be able to make do without it. 

Having a customer support rep who is ready to respond at all times will improve your standing in the eyes of customers and help you towards establishing yourself as one of the authorities in your industry.

If you don’t have the resources to manage your own Live Chat feature, you can outsource this customer support to third party applications and teams like Zendesk or Intercom.

Email Newsletters

You ought to have noticed how many websites have newsletters. It is the perfect tool to send out special offers to your subscribers and remind them about your website in case they have not visited it for a long time. Offer them something exclusive and show that you are still there.

Even if your customers are not reading your newsletter, it puts your brand in front of them on a continuous basis and builds your brand image in the eyes of your customers.

We should mention that you can also fully automate this process with tools like MailChimp, Hubspot, Constant Contact among others.

All we need is more likes

Social Media Links

Social media plays a massive role in any business. Both big and small brands are duking it out to gain as much of an online presence as they can. Lack of profiles on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram would not bode well with your customers as having established social accounts represents an active and successful brand.

Social media is where everyone come together and allows your brand to reach 2nd and 3rd-degree networks, you can find more than enough opportunity to take your brand to the next level. Work with influencers, organize contests, grow your followers and strive to accomplish something new and great on social media websites every single day.

Bryan Miller of Bryt Designs Long Beach Web Design, Development, & SEO
Author
Bryan Miller

Bryan Miller is an entrepreneur and web tech enthusiast specializing in web design, development and digital marketing. Bryan is a recent graduate of the MBA program at the University of California, Irvine and continues to pursue tools and technologies to find success for clients across a varieties of industries.