10 Things Every Small Business Website Needs in 2025

The 10 Non-Negotiables for Small Business Websites

Not sure if your website is up to scratch? Or planning a new one? Here are the 10 things every small business website MUST have in 2025.

Miss any of these, and you're leaving money on the table.

---

1. Mobile-First Design

Why it matters: 70%+ of website visits come from mobile devices. If your site doesn't work perfectly on phones, you're losing most of your potential customers.

What to check: - ✅ Text is readable without zooming - ✅ Buttons are easy to tap (not tiny) - ✅ Forms are simple to fill on mobile - ✅ Phone number is clickable - ✅ Page loads in under 3 seconds

Quick test: Visit your website on your phone. Can you easily find your phone number and call? Can you fill out the contact form? If not, you have a problem.

---

2. Clear Value Proposition Above the Fold

Why it matters: You have 3-5 seconds to communicate what you do and why visitors should care. If they have to scroll or search, they'll leave.

What to include: - ✅ What you do (in plain English) - ✅ Who you help - ✅ Where you operate - ✅ Why you're different (optional but powerful)

Good example: > "Sydney's Trusted Electrician — Same Day Service, Fixed Pricing"

Bad example: > "Welcome to Our Website"

---

3. Prominent Contact Information

Why it matters: Make it ridiculously easy for customers to reach you. Every extra step they have to take, some will drop off.

Must-haves: - ✅ Phone number in header (clickable on mobile) - ✅ Email address visible - ✅ Contact form on dedicated page AND in footer - ✅ Business address (if relevant) - ✅ Hours of operation

Pro tip: Add a sticky "Call Now" button on mobile that follows the user as they scroll.

---

4. Trust Signals & Credibility Markers

Why it matters: Visitors are skeptical. They need proof you're legitimate before they'll trust you with their money.

Include these: - ✅ Google reviews (embedded or star rating) - ✅ Industry certifications/licenses - ✅ Professional associations - ✅ Years in business - ✅ Insurance details (for tradies) - ✅ ABN (shows you're a real business) - ✅ Client logos (if B2B)

---

5. Clear Service/Product Pages

Why it matters: Visitors want to know exactly what you offer and whether it's right for them. Vague descriptions lose sales.

Each service page needs: - ✅ Clear service name - ✅ Description of what's included - ✅ Who it's for - ✅ Pricing (or "from" pricing) - ✅ Process/what to expect - ✅ Call-to-action (get quote, book now)

Pro tip: Create separate pages for each major service. This helps with SEO AND conversions.

---

6. High-Quality, Authentic Photos

Why it matters: Stock photos scream "generic." Real photos build trust and connection.

Use real photos of: - ✅ Your work (before/after for tradies) - ✅ Your team - ✅ Your location/premises - ✅ Your products in action - ✅ Happy customers (with permission)

Photo tips: - Natural lighting works best - Smartphone photos are fine if well-lit - Avoid posed, corporate-looking shots - Show personality

---

7. Fast Loading Speed

Why it matters: - 53% of mobile users abandon sites taking over 3 seconds to load - Google uses page speed as a ranking factor - Slow sites frustrate visitors

Target metrics: - ✅ Under 3 seconds load time - ✅ Largest Contentful Paint under 2.5s - ✅ Core Web Vitals passing

Quick wins for speed: - Compress images before uploading - Use a fast hosting provider - Minimize plugins/scripts - Enable caching

Test your speed: PageSpeed Insights

---

8. SEO Fundamentals

Why it matters: If you're not on page 1 of Google, you might as well not exist for searchers.

Basic SEO checklist: - ✅ Unique title tag on every page (include location + service) - ✅ Meta description for each page (compelling, 150-160 chars) - ✅ H1 heading with main keyword - ✅ Location mentions throughout content - ✅ Alt text on images - ✅ Mobile-friendly design - ✅ Fast loading speed - ✅ SSL certificate (https://) - ✅ Google Business Profile claimed

---

9. Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Why it matters: Visitors need to be told what to do next. Without clear CTAs, they'll leave without taking action.

CTA best practices: - ✅ Use action words: "Get a Quote," "Call Now," "Book Today" - ✅ Make buttons stand out (contrasting color) - ✅ Include on every page - ✅ Above the fold AND at the end - ✅ One primary CTA per page

Good CTAs: - "Get Your Free Quote" - "Call Now: 0412 345 678" - "Book Your Free Consultation" - "See Our Work"

Bad CTAs: - "Submit" - "Click Here" - "Learn More" (sometimes okay)

---

10. SSL Security Certificate (HTTPS)

Why it matters: - Google Chrome marks non-HTTPS sites as "Not Secure" - Google penalizes non-secure sites in rankings - Customers won't trust you with their info - Required for any payment processing

How to check: - Look for the padlock icon in your browser - URL should start with https:// not http://

How to get it: - Most hosts offer free SSL (Let's Encrypt) - Velosites includes SSL on all sites

---

Bonus: 5 Things Your Website Probably Doesn't Need

Avoid overcomplicating things:

1. . ❌ AI Chatbots — Most are annoying and unhelpful
2. . ❌ Auto-playing video — Startles visitors, slows loading
3. . ❌ Complex animations — Slow things down, rarely add value
4. . ❌ 20+ pages — Keep it simple, especially starting out
5. . ❌ Social media feeds — Distract from conversions

---

Your Website Audit Checklist

Use this to audit your current site:

Score yourself: - 10/10: Excellent! Focus on content and marketing - 7-9/10: Good, but fix the gaps - 4-6/10: Needs work, prioritize the basics - 0-3/10: Time for a new website

---

Ready for a Website That Ticks All Boxes?

Building a website that actually works takes expertise. At Velosites, every site we build includes:

✅ Mobile-first design ✅ Fast loading speeds ✅ SEO fundamentals baked in ✅ Clear calls-to-action ✅ SSL security included ✅ Trust elements strategically placed

All for just $19/month. No setup fees. Live in days.

Get your professional website →

Join hundreds of Australian businesses with websites that actually generate leads.