Important Content for a Website — What Pages Should My Website Have?

Written by: Angie Haggstrom | October 26, 2009

When launching a website, the layout often becomes one of the last questions on our minds. Unfortunately, it should be one of the first questions you ask yourself since it will determine the design and structure of the site. I know I didn’t know what to include when I first started, so if you’re not sure, you’re not alone.

(JustinParks.com)

Here’s a quick list and some tips to get you started:

Home Page Content

Every website has a home page. This is the main page everyone will land on when typing your main URL (ex. http://www.example.com/). This page should also tie the rest of the site together, so you’ll want to make sure it’s perfect.

Still not sure? Think of a visitor landing on your website the same as you would if they walked into your brick and mortar store. Will you immediately open your jacket and try selling them watches? No, of course not. You would say hello and introduce yourself, followed by a quick introduction to your company.

Your home page should achieve the same thing. Oh, and don’t forget to include the unique benefits you offer.

Here are some great examples:

Sparkplug.com — Not a lot of copy, but there’s no doubt about what these guys offer, or what they do.
MLSonline.com — The content is broken into easily digestible chunks that clearly outline what you can gain from the site and how.
The Copywriter’s Crucible — You know what Matt’s all about as soon as the site loads up. And the first thing you see is ‘Do you want your marketing to stand out from the crowd?’ Of course you do, but you’ll need to click further into the site to find out how to get it!

(Paul Anthony)

About Page

Consumers have gone back to using the same habits they had a 100 years ago. When they make a purchase, they’re buying into the company as much as they are the product. They want to know who you are and what you’re all about, so give them that!

Start by explaining why your site exists and tell visitors what makes your company different from your competition. Then, give a bit of background about the company, followed by a bit about yourself. The point is to gain trust, and with any luck, make a personal connection with the reader. As for how formal or informal you get, it will depend on your business and the image you’re trying to portray.

Here are some great ‘About’ page examples:

Jason Santa Maria — Not only is it one of the best organized ‘about pages’ I’ve seen, but it also contains all the information I want to know as a new visitor. It’s really quite well done, and manages to maintain the look and feel of the site. Loved it!

David Desandro — Another well written ‘About’ page with fantastic design. There’s no question in my mind as to who I’ll be dealing with when I call or send an email.

(Craig Edmonds)

Contact Page

If you want people to contact you, for Pete’s sake, give them a way to do it. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to an SEO consultant or a web designer’s site only to be impressed and have no way to hire them (note: it’s happened on other service/ecommerce sites…I just decided to pick on these two). And, here’s the secret: make it as easy and accessible as possible. If you can, have the contact form/information on every page!

Ecommerce sites might argue against a contact page because they want someone to buy from them, not contact them. Well, I’m sorry, but even you need a contact page. It adds to your credibility. And, what if something goes wrong? What if someone has a question? What if a website visitor has a suggestion that will propel your business onto the Fortune 100 list?

Here’s some great contact pages…with some suggestions:

Bert Timmermans — This is a stunning contact page. If I had one complaint, however, it’s that I have no idea what to contact them about. Are they open to suggestions? Comments? Complaints? Can I hire them? This page really, desperately needs a few sentences encouraging me to contact the site owner. Social media profiles would’ve been great too!

Frexy — I found it interesting that they had two separate contact forms. While it’s a great idea, I can’t help but wonder if this makes things a little confusing for less Web-wise users. Also, it would have been great to see some social media profiles and a bit more contact info such as a phone number.

Divinewrite.com — I have to give Glenn a lot of credit. I love his contact page. Not only can I connect with him using the medium of my choice, but I can also find his social media profiles to connect with him there. My only suggestion? No contact form…I worry it might discourage some people from making contact. For example, less Web-savvy users might not think to click his email address to send him an email. However, I’ve yet to hear him mention that it’s been an issue.
(Frank Knipschild)

Product or Services Pages

Regardless of whether you’re a service provider or running an ecommerce website, there has to be a page discussing the offering. What do you provide, and what makes it special? Exactly what can the client expect when they hire you or buy from you?

Here are a few great examples to check out:

Studio54 — Again, it’s pretty easy to see the quality the team at Studio54 put out, and it easily expels the worries visitors might have about what to expect when working with them.

Jelly Belly’s BeanBoozled — I LOVE this product page. Not only does it have great copy, but visitors can also get close to the product. I can almost taste those jellybeans!

ThinkGeek — I love ThinkGeek’s web copy on their product pages. (Confession: I’ve spent time just reading the copy on the pages.) Some are just downright funny and engaging because you can actually relate to the ‘stories’. Kudos to their copywriter, for sure!

(Peter Goulding)

Have you come across a website you absolutely loved, or found downright frustrating? Why?

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