The Top 5 Things People Look For in a Website (and How to Deliver)
If you’ve ever wondered what really makes a website stand out—or why some sites convert like crazy while others just sit there—you’re not alone. In 2025, user expectations are higher than ever. Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and even side hustlers are searching for clear answers to a simple question:
“What makes a great website?”
Let’s break down the top five things people are searching for when it comes to websites—and how you can make sure your site checks all the right boxes.
1️⃣ Easy, Intuitive Navigation
What people want:
Today’s website visitors expect to find information quickly and easily. They don’t want to waste time figuring out where to go next or how to find the information they need. In fact, studies show that if visitors can’t find what they’re looking for within three clicks, most will abandon the site altogether. Clear and intuitive navigation isn’t just a bonus—it’s a requirement.
How to deliver:
Start by creating a clean, well-organized menu structure. Use short, clear labels that make sense to your audience and avoid industry jargon that might confuse first-time visitors. Group related pages together logically and keep the number of top-level menu items to a minimum. If your site contains a large volume of content, including a search bar can be a game-changer for usability.
✅ Pro Tip: Do a "3-click test" on your own site. Can someone new find your most important info in under three clicks? Better yet—ask someone unfamiliar with your site to try.
2️⃣ Detailed (But Digestible) Product or Service Descriptions
What people want:
When potential customers land on your site, they’re looking for answers. What do you offer? How does it help them? Why should they choose you over a competitor? Clear, concise, and benefit-driven descriptions are essential to address these questions and move visitors closer to making a decision.
How to deliver:
Craft product and service descriptions that go beyond listing features. Focus on the benefits and outcomes your offerings provide. Break up long paragraphs into bullet points where possible to enhance readability, especially on mobile devices. Avoid industry jargon or technical language unless absolutely necessary—and even then, provide explanations in plain English. Including a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section can also address common concerns and reduce friction in the buying process.
✅ Pro Tip: Always answer the real question on your visitor’s mind: “Is this for me?”
3️⃣ High-Quality Visuals
What people want:
The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds more truth than ever online. Visitors process visuals exponentially faster than text, and high-quality images or videos can quickly communicate professionalism, brand values, and the essence of your products or services. First impressions matter—a lot.
How to deliver:
Invest in original photography or high-quality stock images that accurately represent your brand. Avoid blurry, pixelated, or outdated images. Keep your overall design clean and uncluttered so visuals enhance rather than overwhelm the content. Equally important, optimize all images and videos for fast loading. Slow-loading graphics can frustrate users and negatively impact your search engine rankings.
✅ Pro Tip: Consistent visuals lead to stronger brand recognition. Stick to a cohesive color palette, photo style, and typography throughout your site and social media.
4️⃣ Modern, Updated Design
What people want:
Your website often serves as the first impression of your business. An outdated design can immediately create doubt in a visitor’s mind about the relevance, professionalism, and trustworthiness of your brand. A modern, updated website not only looks great but also signals to users that your business is active and attentive to details.
How to deliver:
Choose clean, contemporary templates that prioritize readability and user experience. Regularly update fonts, color schemes, and design elements to keep the look fresh. Most importantly, ensure your website is fully mobile responsive. With more than half of web traffic coming from mobile devices in 2025, this is no longer optional.
✅ Pro Tip: If it’s been more than 3 years since your last major website update, it’s probably time for a refresh.
5️⃣ Integration with Social Media
What people want:
In today’s interconnected digital landscape, your website and social media channels should work together seamlessly. Visitors often want to explore your brand beyond the website, checking for up-to-date posts, customer interactions, and additional content that can help inform their decision.
How to deliver:
Place clear, unobtrusive social media icons in the header, footer, or sidebar of your site. Link to the platforms where you are most active and where your audience spends their time. If it makes sense for your business, consider embedding social media feeds directly on your website to showcase recent activity and engage visitors in real-time.
✅ Pro Tip: Consistency is key. Ensure your social profiles reflect the same design, tone, and messaging as your website for a cohesive brand experience.
It’s All About User Experience
At the end of the day, visitors want websites that feel effortless, helpful, and trustworthy. Focusing on easy navigation, clear descriptions, high-quality visuals, modern design, and social media integration will not only enhance your site’s look and feel—it will improve engagement, build trust, and ultimately, drive results for your business.
And if you need help making that happen? That’s exactly what I do.
Let’s build you a website that works.
