10 Things Every Small Business Website Needs in 2026

Whether you're a tradie, a local shop, or a growing service business — your website needs to tick certain boxes to succeed in 2026. Here are the 10 non-negotiables.

1. Mobile-Responsive Design

Over 65% of Australians browse the web on mobile devices. If your website doesn't look great and function perfectly on phones and tablets, you're turning away the majority of your potential customers. Google also prioritises mobile-first indexing, meaning your mobile experience directly affects your rankings.

2. Fast Loading Speed (Under 3 Seconds)

53% of visitors abandon a website that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Every extra second of load time reduces conversions by 7%. Your website should load in under 2 seconds on both desktop and mobile. Optimise images, use efficient code, and choose quality hosting.

3. Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Every page on your website should have one clear action you want visitors to take — call you, fill out a quote form, book a consultation. Make your CTA buttons prominent, contrasting, and impossible to miss. The words "Get a Free Quote" or "Call Now" work better than vague "Learn More" buttons.

4. SEO Optimisation

A beautiful website that nobody can find is useless. Every page needs optimised title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, image alt text, and keyword-rich content. For local businesses, targeting "[your service] + [your city]" keywords is essential for appearing in local search results.

5. Professional Photography

Stock photos scream "generic." Use real photos of your team, your work, your projects. Before-and-after shots, team photos, and project galleries build trust and help potential customers visualise what you can do for them.

6. Social Proof (Reviews & Testimonials)

92% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase decision. Display your Google reviews, client testimonials, and star ratings prominently on your website. Real names and real results convert browsers into buyers.

7. Contact Information Everywhere

Don't make visitors hunt for your phone number or email. Display your contact details in the header, footer, and on a dedicated contact page. Include a contact form for those who prefer to write, and make your phone number clickable on mobile devices.

8. SSL Certificate (HTTPS)

An SSL certificate (the padlock icon in your browser) is mandatory in 2026. Google penalises non-HTTPS sites, and browsers warn visitors about "not secure" websites. It protects your visitors' data and builds trust.

9. Service/Product Pages

Don't lump all your services onto one page. Create dedicated pages for each service you offer — this helps with SEO (each page can target different keywords) and gives potential customers detailed information about what you do.

10. Analytics Tracking

Install Google Analytics and Google Search Console from day one. You need to know how many visitors your site gets, where they come from, which pages they view, and how they interact with your content. Data drives decisions.