There are a few pages that every website should have because these pages will help give your readers an idea of who you are and what you website about.
They’ll help your readers navigate your website also some pages are required for other reasons such as web regulations or search engine optimization.
So to make sure you’re covered, here’s a list of five things that I think every website should have.
Must Have # 1: An About Me Page
At the end of the day people want to know about who you are.
If they’re reading your website and taking advice from you, they want to know who you are.
They want to know about your past accomplishments and failures.
They want to know what makes you who you are… They want to know your story.
So put this in an about me page and make it easy for them to find.
Must Have # 2: A Contact Page
Not all website owners want to be contacted however, it’s a good idea to at least have a contact form. Why?
You could be contacted by potential partners or big advertisers.
Or someone could be considering referring a huge group of buyers to your site and just wanted to ask you a question.
You don’t have to answer every single question you get, but it still helps to have contact information up.
Must Have # 3: Social Media & RSS
Give your readers a number of different ways to follow you.
In your sidebar, have buttons that allow people to follow you on Twitter, on Facebook and even on Google+.
You should also have a clearly displayed RSS button that allows people to subscribe to your feed.
Must Have # 4: The Best Posts
Also in your sidebar should be a list of your best posts, most popular posts or your personal top picks.
When someone lands on your site, they don’t necessarily just want to read your blog in chronological order.
A lot of people would prefer to start by reading your 5-10 best articles to decide if they like your content.
If they do, then they’ll start reading your blog regularly and having these 5-10 top posts easily accessible helps give new visitors the best stuff right up front.
Must Have # 5: Privacy Policy, Disclosures, Sitemap & Terms Of Service
These four pages are meant mostly for search engines and regulatory agencies.
If you’re using Google AdSense, collecting email addresses or using tracking software, you need a privacy policy.
Google strongly recommends having both a privacy policy and a terms of service.
Not having them could be detrimental to your ranking and they’re also required for AdSense.
Having a sitemap will help search engines index your site.
These are a few of the pages and items that every single blog should have.
Adding them will increase both your usability and your compliance.
Have an awesome day!
Pam Lawhorne
