8 Must-Have Website Features

With so many websites all over the Internet, how do you rise above the competition?

Other than the layout and color scheme of the website, there are a lot of other features that contribute to the success of a website. We’ll show you eight must-have features your website will need in order to compete with giant companies.

1. SSL

SSL certificates are becoming increasingly important in the digital era. They establish an encrypted connection between the user’s computer and your website to protect personal data from being exchanged without the user’s permission.

SSL certificates offer websites a lot of benefits, and these include

The establishment of trust and security for your website visitors, leading to increased trust in your company The protection of sensitive data Protection for your business from cybercriminals Proof of website and company legitimacy HTTPS and the lock icon status in browsers Supports the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard standards Strengthens your brand's reputation and brand image. Increases your SEO ranking for keywords in Google and other search engines. How does SSL affect your SEO?

One of the key factors in ranking higher in Google SERPs is the trustworthiness of your website, which you can achieve by installing SSL on your website. Recently, Google has placed an increased emphasis on SSL certificates for websites, as they are one of the most highly recognizable trust indicators on the internet. The Google Chrome browser extends warnings to users to be careful when using and trusting websites without SSL by displaying "not secure" in the URL section.

The word "not secure" gives the user a hesitation to continue using your website, leading them to exit the site, thus increasing your bounce rate.

Not having an SSL is a critical concern for businesses that every website owner should address.

2. Live Chat

Phone support is the traditional way of addressing the concerns and inquiries of customers, but it can be very costly, both in terms of toll charges and person-per-hour costs.

Live chat, though, is a lot cheaper than phone support. It allows you to respond quickly to your customers’ questions about your products, solve problems faster, and assure them that you’re there in times of need. This is a simple yet proven-effective tactic for improving both customer service and loyalty.

3. Testimonials and Reviews

The success of the business depends heavily on word of mouth.

When it comes to business, Reviews and testimonials have proven effective in winning the trust of customers. Testimonials strengthen your credibility and that of your business.

Testimonials and reviews are even more important in e-commerce because payments are done virtually. According to reports, 79% of consumers trust online reviews. Customers not only purchase products from your website but also recommend them to their family and friends, and sometimes they even share them on social media. These positive words of mouth can add a great deal of value to your site.

Video testimonials can be even better.

It is great if you are able to obtain both written and video testimonials. Both written and video testimonials have proven effective in winning consumers’ trust. Video touches people visually and emotionally, and written testimonials touch people emotionally and mentally.

4. Infographics

An infographic is a visual representation of information, knowledge, or data in a graphic format designed to make complex data eye-catching and easily digestible.

Infographics make your content interesting; they give pleasure to the eyes because of the bright colors and images. People are more likely to share your blogs and articles if they contain compelling infographics rather than just text alone.

Words can be powerful, but pictures create greater impact. Infographics project a world of meaning with a quick glance and make complex content easy to understand and scannable. The following are just two of the many benefits you will get from adding infographics to your web content:

They catch and hold viewers’ attention. Well-written content continues to be in high demand, but text alone is boring. To be able to hold your viewers’ attention, you need to spice up your content by adding strong visuals that contain information. They Boost SEO. If your infographic talks about a current event or clearly explains a concept that isn’t easy to understand, other brands and influencers will find value in linking to your content.

5. GDPR Compliance (Privacy Policy)

Make sure your business is in compliance with the new EU GDPR data protection rules. The May 25th, 2018 deadline has passed!

As of May 25th, 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to all companies doing business in Europe. GDPR is a regulation that requires businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens for transactions that occur within EU member states.

The new GDPR affects not only firms within Europe but also firms outside the EU. Any company dealing with EU businesses’, residents’, or citizens’ data will have to comply with the new regulation.

Here’s what every company that does business inside and outside Europe needs to know about GDPR:

What types of private data does the GDPR protect?

Basic identity information such as:

• Name
• Address
• ID numbers

Web data such as:

• Location
• IP address
• cookie data, and RFID tags
• Health and genetic data
• Biometric data
• Racial or ethnic data
• Political opinions
• Sexual orientation

Businesses must comply with the stringent rules on the collection, storage, and administration of personal data or face potentially devastating consequences. Companies that fail to comply with this regulation are subject to fines of up to 20 million euros, or 4% of their annual revenue.

6. A Call to Action Button

A CTA, or Call-to-action, gives your brand a chance to enhance your marketing efforts. It ensures that you don’t leave viewers hanging, wondering where to learn more or how to get involved with your brand.

After describing the product or service you offer, you need to prompt the prospect to take action, whether to contact you, subscribe, or purchase a product.

Examples of good and enticing Call-to-Action labels:

• "Contact us to discuss your project,"
• "Contact us for our free consultation,"
• "Ready to bring your concept to life? Contact us now!"

Remember, the whole goal of having a website is to persuade someone to take action. So never forget to include a Call-to-action button on your website.

7. Blog Page

Blogging is no longer just a hobby; it has become an influential tool for businesses today. Whether you are a small business or a multinational company, blogging is essential to your online marketing strategy. Your blog gives you the opportunity to create relevant topics for your business for SEO purposes.

A company blog can:

• Drive traffic to your website.
• Increase your SEO (search engine optimization).
• Position your brand as an industry leader.
• Develop better customer relationships.

Google has updated its ranking algorithm to heavily focus on a website’s content. Therefore, a well-managed blog, regularly updated with high-quality contents relevant to your business, will help increase your website’s SEO.

8. Social Media Share Buttons

It’s common knowledge now that social media is a great place for marketing, and that makes social sharing quite important.

Having social media share buttons on your website is a great way to get readers engaged and to share your thoughts and ideas. If someone is reading your blog and that person loves what they’re reading, he or she is most likely to share it on social media. Social media share buttons make it easier for readers to share your ideas. It also gives you an idea of what topics are more engaging.

That’s pretty much it. Stay tuned for more essential tips for having an effective website.