Let’s be real—your website should be doing the work for you. If it’s just sitting there looking pretty but not actually bringing in leads, booking clients, or making sales, then what’s the point?

The truth is, a good website isn’t just about design. It’s about strategy. Every element should serve a purpose, whether that’s grabbing attention, building trust, or leading someone to take action.

So if you’re wondering, “Does my website have what it takes?”—here’s a checklist of must-have elements to make sure your site is set up to convert.

The Ultimate Website Checklist: 10 Must-Have Elements for a High-Converting Site

Let’s be real—your website should be doing the work for you. If it’s just sitting there looking pretty but not actually bringing in leads, booking clients, or making sales, then what’s the point?

The truth is, a good website isn’t just about design. It’s about strategy. Every element should serve a purpose, whether that’s grabbing attention, building trust, or leading someone to take action.

So if you’re wondering, “Does my website have what it takes?”—here’s a checklist of must-have elements to make sure your site is set up to convert.

1. A Homepage That Instantly Tells People What You Do

Your homepage is your first impression, and people decide in seconds whether they want to stay or bounce. If your website doesn’t immediately tell visitors who you are, what you do, and why they should care, they’re gone.

What You Need:

• A strong headline that instantly communicates what you do
• A quick, to-the-point intro about your business
• Clear navigation so people can easily find what they need
• A call-to-action (CTA) telling visitors what to do next

If your homepage is just a random mix of text and images with no clear direction, it’s time to clean it up.

2. Branding That Looks Legit

Branding isn’t just about looking cute—it’s about building trust. If your website has a mix of random fonts, clashing colors, or stock photos that don’t feel like you, it’s probably working against you.

How to Fix It:

• Choose 2-3 fonts and stick to them across your entire site
• Use a consistent color palette that reflects your brand
• Ditch the cheesy stock photos—use high-quality, on-brand images
• Keep your logo simple, modern, and clean

A professional-looking brand makes people take you seriously. If your site feels like a DIY project gone wrong, it might be time for a refresh.

3. Calls to Action That Actually Make Sense

If people land on your site and don’t know what to do next, that’s a problem. Every page should have a clear call to action (CTA) guiding visitors toward the next step.

What to Include:

• A primary CTA (like “Book a Call” or “Get Started”) that stands out
• Multiple CTA placements—at the top, in the middle, and at the end of your page
• Action-based language (“Start Your Project” instead of just “Learn More”)

If your website just hopes visitors will figure out what to do, you’re leaving money on the table.

4. A Services (or Products) Page That Sells For You

People don’t want to dig around your site to figure out what you offer. Your services or products should be easy to find, easy to understand, and easy to buy.

Make Sure You Have:

• A clear breakdown of what you offer and who it’s for
• Pricing (if applicable)—because no one likes guessing
• A simple, direct way to book, buy, or inquire

If visitors have to hunt for this info, they’ll move on to someone else.

5. An About Page That Actually Feels Personal

The About page isn’t just a place to dump your life story—it’s where people decide if they connect with you or not. Your audience wants to know who they’re doing business with, so make it feel personal.

What to Include:

• A real photo of you (or your team)—not a stock image
• A short, engaging story about why you do what you do
• A mix of personal and professional details to build connection
• Another CTA leading visitors to work with you

People work with people they like—so give them a reason to connect.

6. Mobile-Friendly Design

Over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile. If your site only looks good on a laptop but turns into a mess on a phone, you’re losing potential customers.

Quick Fixes:

• Check your site on multiple screen sizes
• Make sure buttons are easy to tap
• Keep text large enough to read without zooming in
• Fix any images that don’t resize properly

A bad mobile experience = lost business. It’s that simple.

7. Fast Load Times (Because No One Likes Waiting)

If your website takes forever to load, people will leave before they even see what you offer. Speed matters.

How to Fix It:

• Compress images so they don’t slow your site down
• Get rid of unnecessary animations that take forever to load
• Use a fast, reliable hosting service
• Run your site through Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check speed issues

A slow website can literally kill your conversions. Keep it fast.

8. A Blog or Resource Page to Build Authority

You don’t need to be a full-time blogger, but having some kind of resource content on your site helps build credibility. It also gives Google more content to index, which helps with SEO.

What to Include:

• A few helpful, informative posts related to your industry
• A mix of educational and strategic content (not just fluff)
• Easy ways for people to share your content on social media

Not only does this build trust, but it also keeps visitors on your site longer, which helps with conversions.

9. SEO Essentials to Get Found Online

Your website won’t do much if no one can find it. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps Google know what your site is about so it can show up in searches.

SEO Must-Haves:

• Page titles and descriptions that include relevant keywords
• Alt text for all images (this helps with accessibility and ranking)
• Internal links between your own pages to improve navigation
• Fast load times and mobile optimization

Good SEO doesn’t just help you get found—it makes your site easier to navigate and use.

10. A Contact Page That’s Simple & Straight to the Point

If someone wants to reach out, don’t make them work for it. A solid Contact page should be short, clear, and easy to use.

What to Include:

• A simple form (not 15 questions—keep it short)
• An email address in case they prefer direct contact
• Social media links, if relevant
• Business hours (if applicable)

If people can’t easily contact you, they’ll move on to someone else.

Is Your Website Set Up for Success?

Your website should be clear, strategic, and built to convert—not just another pretty page on the internet. If your site is missing any of these elements, it might be time for an upgrade.

At Sable Society, we design high-converting websites that help businesses attract the right clients, build trust, and increase sales. Whether you need a template customization or a fully custom site, we’ll make sure your website actually works for you.