3 Essential Functionalities Every Business Website Needs

A good business website takes time to get right. There are so many areas to consider, from design to sitemap to all the other pieces, that sometimes functionality can go forgotten.
But functionality is critical in developing a business website not just because this is what leads to conversions but also because the way people view websites has changed dramatically in the last few years. A recent study has shown that mobile users now, on average, spend more than double the time using their device for browsing and shopping online than they do a desktop computer.In terms of the big picture, this means business websites have to do more than look simply look good. Here are three essential functionalities you’ll need:

Responsive Design When mobile first began its ascendancy to its current dominant position, the trend in site design was to build one site for mobile users and another for desktop users. But this had its drawbacks because mobile users inevitably got a stripped-down, bare-bones version of the main site.In 2018, this will not do. Modern web design calls for a responsive website that responds specifically to the device of the user. What that means for visitors to your business site is an experience that’s every bit as comprehensive – and quick to load – as your desktop site. The modern internet user – and, therefore, consumer – is very impatient when it comes to poor site responsiveness, and they are likely to simply close the page and move on if they aren’t getting the experience they expect. Easy to Navigate The days when businesses could overload website visitors with a barrage of offers, pop-ups and on-screen clutter are well and truly gone.Modern site design calls for clean designs that show users where to go for the things they want. However, this doesn’t mean an antiseptic, cold approach but rather one that speaks to your brand and business character. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a warm, folksy design for your site – if it meshes with what you do.The key is to define how you want your business to appear, and work from there for a site that retains character but that also serves its most important function – connecting customers with what you have to offer. Search Engine Friendly There’s more than one way to push your business up Google’s rankings, and smart implementation of keywords into the core text of your site is a very powerful example.What this requires is defining your keywords before you start in on the bulk of the text for your site. From this, you can develop a consistent tone and SEO enriched approach across areas like page titles, URLs and product descriptions. This, in turn, will help Google understand what your business does and drive interested parties to your site. This approach can have enormous benefits regarding both the volume and the quality of visitors you receive, ultimately benefitting your bottom line.