A decade ago, having any website at all gave you a leg up. Today? The bar is higher. In 2025, customers expect more than just a homepage with your phone number. They want clarity, speed, trust, and answers….fast. If your site doesn’t deliver, they’re gone.
Whether you’re running a boutique in Joplin or a service company in Carthage, your website should meet your visitors’ expectations the moment they land on it. Here’s what they’re looking for.
1. A Clean, Modern Design
First impressions still matter. A cluttered, outdated design tells visitors you may not care about details, or worse, that you’re out of business. A professional, responsive design signals trust and competence.
2. Mobile-Friendliness
Over 60% of searches now happen on mobile. If your site isn’t built for smaller screens, users will bounce. Responsive website design is no longer optional, it’s expected.
3. Clear Navigation
People should find what they’re looking for in two clicks or less. Whether it’s your hours, contact form, or services, everything should be easy to locate and simple to use.
4. Up-to-Date Contact Info
This might sound basic, but it’s crucial. Make sure your phone number, email, physical address, and social links are current and easy to find. Bonus points for clickable contact buttons.
5. Real Photos or Visual Proof
Stock photos feel generic. Customers want to see your actual team, products, or services in action. It makes your business feel real, and local.
6. Testimonials or Reviews
Social proof matters. Featuring real customer quotes or linking to platforms like Google Reviews helps build credibility with new visitors.
7. Fast Load Times
If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, people will leave. Hosting and performance optimization matter.
8. SEO-Optimized Content
Customers expect to land on your site when they search for businesses like yours. SEO-friendly content ensures that happens, especially for local searches in areas like Joplin or Carthage, MO.
9. A Strong Call to Action
What should your visitor do next, call, schedule, buy, or sign up? Every page should make that clear.
10. Secure, Trustworthy Browsing
An SSL certificate (https://) and privacy policies reassure visitors their information is safe. Trust is non-negotiable.
Ready to Meet Their Expectations?
At netfishes, we design custom WordPress websites that check every box. Whether you need a fast-loading, mobile-friendly site or a full redesign, we help your small business look great and perform even better online.
Want a website that works as hard as you do? Reach out to netfishes and let’s build something your customers will love, and trust.