What should a complete set of website elements contain? The key parts are first and foremost: proper HTML structure, that is, proper labeling of headings, main content, menus, graphics, footer, forms. In addition, it is worth knowing that the site should have appropriate sections and elements for easy navigation. In the following article, we explain in detail the elements of a website by section.
When creating a website, it is worth paying attention to its key elements that affect functionality, design and user convenience. A website consists of many components – from the structure of the website, to interactive sections, to performance optimization and security. Each of these components plays an important role in helping to navigate, communicate and effectively present content. Below is a breakdown of all the components of a website by category:
The technical structure of a website is the foundation that affects its proper operation, performance, security and search engine visibility. Below are the key elements that should be included:
A website is built in HTML, which defines its structure. It is important to use semantic HTML tags correctly :
<head> – contains meta tags, page title and links to CSS/JS files.<body> – the main content of the page.<h1>-<h6> - headings, helping with content organization and SEO.<p> – text paragraphs.<a> – internal and external links.<img> – embedding images.<div> and <section> – content grouping and styling in CSS.Meta tags provide information for browsers and search engines:
<title> – the page title visible in browser bookmarking and search results.<meta name="description ”> – a short description of the page affecting CTR in Google.<meta name="keywords ”> – formerly used keywords (now less important).<meta charset="UTF-8 ”> – a set of characters, ensuring correct display of content.<meta name="viewport ”> – responsible for responsiveness on mobile devices.CSS controls the appearance of the page. Important aspects are:
style.css for better organization of code.hover, transition.SSL certificate encrypts data sent between the user and the server, ensuring security. It also affects SEO – Google prefers sites with HTTPS.
A small icon displayed in a browser tab to improve brand recognition. The file should have an extension of .ico, .pngor .svg and be placed in the <head>.
The site should be responsive, that is, it should display correctly on different devices:
%, vw, vh, rem instead of pixels.Good technical structure supports SEO:
domain.pl/uslugi).alt in <img> tags and file compression.The header is the top part of the page, visible immediately after loading. It should contain:
A well-designed header should be visible on every subpage and have a consistent aesthetic, and in the mobile version it should include a drop-down menu (hamburger menu).
The menu is one of the most important elements of the site, as it allows users to navigate the site intuitively. It should be:
It is also worth taking care of breadcrumbs (navigational crumbs) – a path indicating to the user which section of the page he is currently in. This is especially useful for online stores and sites with a lot of content.
This is the key part of any website, which contains the main content tailored to the audience. It can include:
The main content should be properly formatted and optimized for SEO, which means using relevant keywords and a logical hierarchy of headings.
The footer is the bottom part of the page, which contains relevant information and supporting links. It should include:
Not every website has it well designed, and it is a very important UX element. It should:
The contact form is one of the most important interaction elements on the site, making it easy for users to quickly submit an inquiry. It should be:
It’s also a good idea to add an email confirmation and autoresponder to let the user know that their inquiry has been received.
Call to action (CTA) buttons are key elements that encourage users to perform a specific action. They should be:
CTAs increase conversions by helping users make a decision and move to the next step in the purchase or contact path.
If a site contains a large amount of content (e.g., an online store, blog, news portal), the search engine becomes a key navigational tool. It should:
A search engine significantly improves the user experience, reducing the time spent searching for information.
Modern websites are increasingly implementing chatbots and live chat windows to improve contact with users. Such a solution:
Chatbots are especially useful in e-commerce and industries where customers often need quick answers.
For corporate websites, especially local businesses, integration with Google Maps is essential. The map allows users to:
Google map should be on the “Contact Us” page and in the footer if the company has several locations.
Social media integration increases the reach of the site and allows users to follow content more easily. It should include:
Social media presence strengthens the brand and increases interaction with users beyond the website.
A well-designed website does not just consist of text. Graphic and multimedia elements play a key role in capturing users’ attention, increasing engagement and improving content readability. The appropriate use of graphics, icons, video and interactive visual elements also affects the perceived quality of the brand and the user experience of the site.
High-quality graphics enhance the site’s appeal and help communicate information. Key aspects:
Alt attributes in <img> tag – improve accessibility and SEO.Best image formats:
Hero Image is a large, prominent image or graphic placed at the top of the homepage. It is used to:
A well-designed Hero Image should:
Sliders are dynamic sections that can present images, text or products in rotation. They are often used on homepages and e-commerce sites.
Advantages of sliders:
✔ Ability to present a lot of content in a limited space.
✔ Attractive, interactive visual element.
✔ Effective in promoting products and services.
The most common mistakes in using sliders:
❌ Rotating too quickly – users can’t keep up with reading content.
❌ Content overload – too many elements can weigh down the site.
❌ Lack of optimization for mobile devices – users on smartphones may have difficulty scrolling.
Icons and infographics are a great way to make information easier to digest and visually highlight key content.
Use of icons:
Infographics are particularly effective in presenting data, processes or comparisons. They should be clear, minimalistic and well optimized for resolution.
Video is one of the most effective tools for engaging users and increasing conversions. It’s a good idea to include them in sections such as:
Best practices for video on websites:
✔ Limit file weight – avoid long videos, use compression.
✔ Auto-mute option – video should not start with sound.
✔ External hosting – instead of overloading the server, it’s a good idea to embed video from e.g. YouTube, Vimeo.
✔ Adding subtitles – improves accessibility for the deaf and SEO.
Some sites require the provision of downloadable files, such as:
It is important that files are lightweight, well-described and optimized for readability on different devices.
Every professional website should include key sub-pages that provide users with relevant information about the company, its offerings and ways to contact it. Informational pages help build trust, improve navigation and support SEO. Here are the most important sub-pages that should be included on a website.
The home page is the showcase of a website, the first place most users visit. It should:
A well-designed homepage should lead the user to the most important sub-pages in a logical and clear manner.
The “About Us” page builds trust in the company and allows users to get to know the brand better. It should include:
An authentic and well-written “About Us” section makes the company appear more credible and user-friendly.
The contact section is one of the most important elements of any website. It should include:
A well-optimized “Contact Us” page increases the chances of user interaction and conversion.
A blog is an effective tool for building visibility on Google and positioning yourself as an industry expert. Advantages of having a blog:
Ideally, a blog should include category breakdowns, popular posts and the ability to subscribe to a newsletter.
If the website presents the company’s offerings, it is necessary to create a dedicated subpage with products or services. It should include:
In e-commerce, it’s worth using filters and a search engine to make it easier to find the right product.
Landing page is a page designed fora specific marketing campaign. It is used in PPC ads (Google Ads, Facebook Ads), among others, and has one goal: conversion.
Elements of an effective landing page:
✔ A catchy headline – clearly defining the offer.
✔ Short and compelling content – no redundant information.
✔ Strong call to action (CTA) – e.g., “Sign up”, “Download e-book”.
✔ Minimalist design – no unnecessary distractions.
A well-designed landing page increases the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and improves the conversion rate.
Every website should comply with legal requirements for processing personal data. The required documents are:
Lack of these documents can result in legal problems, especially in e-commerce and service industries.
User Experience (UX) is a key aspect of web design that affects the convenience of users and their satisfaction with interacting with the site. The site should be intuitive, responsive and adaptable to different user needs. Below are additional elements that improve the user experience and increase the effectiveness of the site.
Modern sites increasingly offer users the ability to switch between light and dark modes. This is a feature that:
Implementation of dark mode should be light and intuitive, such as through a “sun/moon” icon in the page header.
If the site is targeting international users, it should have an option to change the language. Key elements:
example.com, example .de, example.pl or versions /en, /en.Introducing a multilingual option improves global reach and conversion of users from different countries.
The site should be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Key aspects of accessibility according to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, more in the article titled “10 Web Usability Best Practices”):
✔ Ability to enlarge text – buttons to change font size.
✔ Contrast mode for the visually impaired – option to change the color scheme for better readability.
✔ Keyboard navigation – ability to navigate the site without using the mouse.
✔ Alternate descriptions (alt) – for images to make them readable for screen readers.
✔ Subtitles for video – for the deaf.
Accessibility not only improves UX, but also improves Google positioning and regulatory compliance (e.g. WCAG 2.1).
Dynamic content tailored to the user increases user engagement. This can be achieved through:
Personalization results in better user experience and higher conversion rate.
Some websites and web applications use push notifications that can inform users about news, promotions or order status.
Advantages of push notifications:
✔ Direct communication – users receive notifications even after leaving the page.
✔ Increased engagement – reminders about offers, updates, articles.
✔ Easy implementation – popular solutions such as OneSignal or Firebase.
However, avoid overusing this feature to avoid discouraging users with excessive notifications.
Page loading speed is one of the key UX factors. A page should load in under 3 seconds, otherwise users may abandon it.
How to improve performance?
✅ Optimize images – compression, WebP formats.
✅ Lazy Loading – loading images only when they are visible.
✅ Caching – storing resources in the user’s browser.
✅ Code Minimization – removing unnecessary CSS, JavaScript resources.
✅ Fast hosting – high performance server (e.g. VPS, CDN).
Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix are tools to help you evaluate site performance and implement optimizations.
Microanimations are small visual effects that improve the UX and enhance the appeal of the site. They can include:
Well-designed micro-animations increase the fluidity of interaction, without slowing down the site.
Creating an effective and functional website requires consideration of many key elements. The technical structure of the site, the main sections, interactive elements, graphics and multimedia, information pages and UX optimization – all of these aspects affect user convenience, search engine positioning and website effectiveness. UniqueDevs will be happy to help you create a professional website, tailored to your needs and expectations. Thanks to our experience, no important element will be overlooked, and your site will be modern, intuitive and effective.
