As tech industries have kept booming over the past decade, many innovative tools have been introduced to solve some of the challenges we face. Every business, from a small local shop to a well-established brand, strives to get recognized online.
But here is what most businesses do not understand: not every website is created equal. Maybe you already have a website, or you're just about to get one. Either way, this post will help you avoid the common mistake many businesses make when creating a website for their business.
Let's talk about 7 must-have website features that make your business online appear trustworthy and visible and build brand awareness.
Table of Contents
1. Mobile-Friendly Design
In Ghana, a survey shows that 90 percent of people access the internet via mobile phones. A website that doesn't look good on mobile is instantly losing potential customers.
A mobile-friendly (responsive) design ensures:
- Your site adjusts beautifully to small screens.
- Users can tap buttons easily and scroll smoothly.
- Pages load fast even on MTN TurboNet or lower-speed connections.
Whether your customers are in Spintex, Osu, or Bantama, your site should be accessible to them on the go. A mobile-friendly design isn't just recommended, but it's non-negotiable.
2. WhatsApp Integration
Let's be real, most Ghanaians love using WhatsApp on a daily basis. It's the go-to app for everything from chatting to sending invoices. Your business website needs to meet people where they are.
A simple WhatsApp chat button added to your site can:
- Allow visitors to start a conversation instantly.
- Reduce missed inquiries and increase leads.
- Give your business a personal, approachable touch.
Imagine someone visiting your site, liking your service, but not seeing how to reach you quickly. They'll bounce. A WhatsApp button solves that.
3. Clear Services and Pricing Page
Too many Ghanaian business websites lack one thing, and that is clarity. People land on your site and don't immediately understand what you offer, how you can help them, or how much your products or services will cost them.
Make sure your website includes:
- A clear list of services with brief descriptions.
- Transparent pricing or at least pricing ranges.
- Use simple language that avoids tech jargon.
These build trust and make a first impression. If you're offering hairdressing training in Tema or digital printing in Accra, make it easy for visitors to know exactly what you offer and how to get them to reach out to you.
4. Fast Load Speed
In Ghana, most of our internet speeds can be unpredictable, especially outside urban areas. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, you're losing visitors, especially mobile users.
To improve speed:
- Compress images without losing quality.
- Avoid flashy animations or heavy plugins.
- Use reliable hosting (we recommend servers with data centers in Africa or Europe for optimal speed).
Your site content needs to be optimized to enable fast loading, even for someone using a café's Wi-Fi connection anywhere. A fast website creates a better user experience and encourages users to explore more of your site.
5. Customer Testimonials
One of the best trust signals for many Ghanaian businesses nowadays is word of mouth. That is why it's highly encouraged to ask for or request testimonial feedback from customers who you have served before.
Here's how testimonials help:
- Provide social proof, especially for first-time buyers.
- It calms nerves for people trying your service online for the first time.
- Make your business feel trusted and reliable.
Include 2-3 short testimonials from real customers on your site or social media; bonus if you mention where they're from (e.g., "From Adenta, Accra"). Local proof builds local trust.
6. Location Info and Google Maps
Whether you have a physical shop located somewhere or you operate from home in any part of Ghana, people need to find you. Although you're online only, location info adds legitimacy.
Your website should show:
- Your business address (if available).
- A clickable Google Maps embed.
- Operating hours and directions (if relevant).
It also helps with local SEO. That means when someone searches “website designer in Accra,” your site has a better chance of showing up because Google knows where you're based.
7. Contact Forms That Actually Work
This one sounds obvious, but many of our local websites either have broken contact forms or forms that ask for too much information. Keep it simple.
An effective contact form should:
- Be short (name, email/phone, and message).
- Send confirmation to both you and the visitor.
- Work perfectly on both mobile and desktop.
Forms help you collect leads, answer inquiries, and stay in control of your customer relationships, no matter the time of day.
Bonus Tip: SEO Basics Built In
Even the most beautiful website in Ghana won't help you, if nobody can find it. Implementing basic SEO ensures you show up when people search.
At a minimum:
- Use clear page titles and Meta descriptions.
- Include local keywords (e.g., “digital marketing Kumasi”).
- Add relevant alt text to your images.
Modern website features must include visibility, and it should be the number one goal. If you're serious about getting clients online, SEO is no longer optional.
Conclusion
Your business website shouldn't just exist; it should be working 24/6. In 2025, Ghanaian customers expect more from their client's website. They want speed, clarity, mobile access, and easy contact.
With these seven features, you're not just building a site, you're building a digital tool that brings in leads, earns trust, and grows your business.
As a small business owner in Ghana, ask yourself: Does my website include these essential features? If not, now's the perfect time to rethink and upgrade. For website services, please contact us.
