Before you even think about colors, fonts, or photos, you need to know what pages your website will have. This step is foundational. It’s how you create a site that’s not only beautiful, but strategic — guiding visitors where they need to go and making it easy for them to take action.
Too many pages, and you overwhelm your audience. Too few, and they don’t get the information they need to trust you. This lesson helps you strike the right balance so your site works for your business — not against it.
Step 1: Start With the Essentials
Every website, no matter the industry or purpose, needs a few foundational pages. These are your non-negotiables — the ones visitors expect to find when they land on your site.
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Home – This is your first impression. It should clearly state who you are, what you do, and who you help. Think of it like the cover of your book.
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About – People do business with people. This page builds trust and connection. Share your story, your values, and what makes you different.
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Services/Products – A clear breakdown of what you offer. Include descriptions, pricing (if appropriate), and what people can expect.
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Contact – Don’t make it hard for someone to get in touch. Include a form, email, phone, and any relevant links (like Calendly or social media).
Step 2: Understand What Not to Include
Not every page idea is a good one. If a page has no clear purpose, confuses your visitors, or doesn’t lead them closer to taking action, it might just create noise.
Avoid pages that:
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Say the same thing in multiple places without adding value
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Are too niche or detailed for the average visitor
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Only exist because “you saw another site do it”
A good rule: if the content could be folded into another page without losing clarity, it probably should be.
Step 3: Add Strategically, Not Emotionally
Now that you have the basics, consider what strategic pages could serve your visitors and support your goals:
Portfolio or Case Studies – Great for service providers or creatives
FAQ – If you find yourself answering the same questions a lot
Blog or Resources – If content marketing is part of your strategy. If it’s not, it’s better to not have a Blog. No one wants to see 3-4 resources/blogs that never get updated.
Testimonials or Reviews – Social proof builds trust, especially when it’s pulled directly from Google Reviews or another verifiable review source.
Ask yourself:
What do people need to see or know before working with me?
What objections do they have?
What would make the process easier?
Step 4: Sketch a Simple Site Map
Map out your site’s structure like an outline. This helps you visualize how visitors will move through your website. Keep it simple and focused — less is more when you’re starting out.
Example:
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Home
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About
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Services
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Service 1
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Service 2
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Contact
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Blog (optional)
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FAQ (optional)
Don’t worry about making it perfect. You can always adjust as your business evolves.
Step 5: Prioritize Clarity Over Cleverness
Your website is not the place to get too “creative” with your navigation. Stick to clear, common labels like “About,” “Services,” and “Contact.” People scan — don’t make them guess what “The Journey” or “Our World” means.
Make it easy. Make it obvious. Make it useful.
Homework & Action Items
- List out your must-have pages (Home, About, Services, Contact).
- Brainstorm any strategic pages that could support your goals (Blog, Testimonials, FAQ, etc.).
- Sketch your site map in a notebook or digital tool — keep it under 8 main pages max to start.
- Audit your ideas — ask: Does this help my audience or just clutter the site?