Website Must-Haves for Small Businesses:
Your 2025 Survival Checklist

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Website Must-Haves for Small Businesses: Your 2025 Survival Checklist

A strong website is no longer optional for small businesses in 2025. Here’s a checklist of must-haves to ensure your site attracts customers and drives sales.



Why Your Website Matters More Than Ever

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The days when a simple website was enough are long gone. In 2025, your website is your most important marketing asset—it’s where customers go to learn about your business, book services, and make purchases.

A poorly designed or outdated website can cost you customers and revenue. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, doesn’t load quickly, or lacks essential features, you risk being left behind.

This guide provides a step-by-step checklist of the must-have website features every small business needs to stay competitive in 2025.



Mobile-Friendly and Fast-Loading Design

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In 2025, over 70% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re losing customers.

1. Why Mobile-Friendly Design Matters

  • Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search rankings.
  • Customers expect a seamless browsing experience on their phones.
  • Slow-loading websites lead to high bounce rates (people leaving your site).

2. Website Speed: The 3-Second Rule

  • 53% of users abandon a site that takes longer than three seconds to load.
  • Compress images and enable caching to speed up your site.
  • Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check your website speed.

What You Can Do Today:

Test your website on a mobile phone. If it’s slow or hard to navigate, it’s time for an update.



SEO Essentials to Get Found Online

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A website without Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is like a store without a sign—people won’t find it.

1. Local SEO: How to Rank in Your Area

  • Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile.
  • Include location-based keywords (e.g., "Vancouver bakery" instead of just "bakery").
  • List your business on local directories like Yelp and the Chamber of Commerce.

2. On-Page SEO Must-Haves

  • Write clear meta titles and descriptions for every page.
  • Use alt text on images so Google understands them.
  • Ensure each page has H1 and H2 headers with relevant keywords.

3. Blogging for SEO

  • Publishing blogs regularly helps your site rank higher.
  • Answer common customer questions in blog posts.

Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO


What You Can Do Today:

Google your business. If it doesn’t show up on the first page, improve your SEO strategy.



Essential Pages Every Business Website Needs

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Your website should guide visitors toward a clear goal—whether it’s making a purchase, booking an appointment, or contacting you. Here are the essential pages every small business website needs:

1. Home Page: Your First Impression

  • A clean, easy-to-navigate design.
  • A clear call to action (CTA) (e.g., “Book a Free Consultation”).
  • Fast-loading images and videos.

2. About Page: Build Trust with Visitors

  • Share your story, mission, and values.
  • Include a photo of your team or workspace for a personal touch.

3. Services or Products Page: What You Offer

  • Clear descriptions of what you sell or provide.
  • High-quality images and pricing information.

4. Contact Page: Make It Easy to Reach You

  • Display your phone number, email, and business hours.
  • Add a contact form for quick inquiries.
  • Include a Google Maps embed if you have a physical location.

What You Can Do Today:

Check your website—do you have all these essential pages? If not, start adding them!



Online Booking, Payments, and Customer Interaction

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Customers expect convenience. If your website doesn’t allow them to book, buy, or interact easily, they’ll go elsewhere.

1. Online Booking Systems

  • If you run a service-based business, allow customers to schedule appointments online.
  • Tools like Calendly or Acuity Scheduling can automate this process.

2. Easy and Secure Online Payments

  • If you sell products or services, offer online payment options like:
    • Stripe, PayPal, or Square for secure transactions.
    • Google Pay and Apple Pay for mobile users.

3. Live Chat and Chatbots for Instant Support

  • AI-powered chat tools can answer common customer questions 24/7.
  • Chatbots help capture leads by collecting contact information.

HubSpot’s Guide to Live Chat for Small Businesses


What You Can Do Today:

Check if your website offers online booking or payment options. If not, explore adding one.



Security, Accessibility, and Compliance

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A secure, accessible website isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.

1. SSL Certificate for Security

  • A secure website (HTTPS) protects customer data and improves trust.
  • Google penalizes sites without SSL, making them harder to find in search results.

2. Accessibility: Make Your Website Inclusive

  • Use alt text on images so screen readers can describe them to visually impaired users.
  • Ensure text contrast is high enough for readability.

3. Privacy and Legal Compliance

  • Add a privacy policy if you collect customer data (e.g., emails, payments).
  • Follow GDPR and Canadian data privacy laws if selling online.


What You Can Do Today:

Check if your website URL starts with HTTPS—if not, get an SSL certificate from your hosting provider.



Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Website for 2025

A strong, well-optimized website isn’t optional anymore—it’s a necessity for survival. By following this checklist, you’ll ensure your site is mobile-friendly, SEO-optimized, and customer-friendly.Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Website for 2025

🔹 Start today! Test your website speed, review your SEO, and make sure you have all the essential pages.

Need help improving your website? Butterfly Networking can help you optimize your online presence and attract more customers in 2025!


Book a strategy session and discover what works best for your business. http://www.askCarla.ca/BookACall

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