5 Essential Website Features You Need (But Probably Don't Know About)

These aren't optional "nice-to-haves." These are must-haves that protect your business, keep your site running, and make sure customers can actually use your website. Let's break them down in plain English.

1. SSL Certificate (The Padlock in the Browser)

What it is: That little padlock you see next to website addresses in your browser? That's an SSL certificate. It encrypts the connection between your website and your visitors.

Why you need it:

• Google penalizes sites without it. Your site won't rank well in search results without SSL.
• Browsers warn visitors. Chrome and other browsers display scary "Not Secure" warnings if you don't have SSL.
• You look unprofessional. Customers don't trust sites without the padlock.
• It's required for forms. If you collect any information (names, emails, phone numbers), you need SSL.

What it costs: Free to $100/year depending on the type. Most hosting includes basic SSL, but someone needs to install and configure it properly.

The bottom line: If your website doesn't show that padlock, you're losing customers and search rankings. Make sure your web developer includes this.

2. Automated Backup System

What it is: A system that automatically copies your entire website (files and database) every day and stores it somewhere safe.

Why you need it: Websites can break or disappear for all kinds of reasons:

• Server crashes
• Hackers
• Bad software updates
• Accidental deletions
• Your hosting company going out of business

Without backups, your website could vanish overnight—and there's no way to get it back.

What it should include:

• Daily automatic backups
• Stored off-site (not on the same server as your website)
• Easy restoration if something goes wrong
• At least 30 days of backup history

What it costs: Usually included in quality hosting ($25-100/month) or $10-20/month as an add-on.

The bottom line: This is your insurance policy. You hope you never need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll be glad it's there. Ask your web developer: "How are backups handled, and can you restore my site if something breaks?"

3. Firewall and Malware Protection

What it is: Security software that blocks hackers and malicious software from infecting your website.

Why you need it: Websites get attacked constantly. Thousands of automated bots scan the internet looking for vulnerable sites. If they find one, they can:

• Inject malware
• Steal customer information
• Deface your site
• Use your server to send spam
• Get your site blacklisted by Google

You might not even know you've been hacked. Many hacks are invisible—they just use your site for spam or steal data quietly.

What it should include:

• Web application firewall (blocks bad traffic)
• Malware scanning (daily checks for infections)
• Automatic threat blocking
• Alerts if something suspicious happens

What it costs: $10-50/month, often included in quality hosting or security plugins.

The bottom line: Security isn't optional. Ask your web developer: "What security measures are in place to protect my site from hackers?"

4. Professional Email Setup

What it is: Email addresses that use your domain name (like [email protected]) instead of Gmail or Yahoo.

Why you need it:

Credibility:

• [email protected] looks professional
• [email protected] looks amateur

Deliverability: When you send emails from a professional address, they're less likely to end up in spam folders. Proper email setup includes:

• SPF records
• DKIM authentication
• DMARC policies

(Don't worry about what those mean—just know your web developer should set them up.)

Business Continuity: What happens if Google locks your Gmail account? It happens more than you'd think. With professional email, you control your own email—no one can take it away.

What it should include:

• Email addresses with your domain
• Proper DNS configuration
• Spam filtering
• Mobile device setup
• Email forwarding options

What it costs: $5-10/user/month, or sometimes included with hosting.

The bottom line: Using Gmail for business emails costs you credibility and can cause deliverability problems. Make sure your web developer sets up professional email with proper authentication.

5. Accessibility Compliance (ADA)

What it is: Making sure your website can be used by people with disabilities—like those who use screen readers, can't use a mouse, or are colorblind.

Why you need it:

Legal Risk: Businesses are getting sued for having inaccessible websites. Yes, really. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) applies to websites, and lawsuits are increasing every year.

You're Losing Customers: About 1 in 4 Americans has a disability. If your site isn't accessible, you're turning away 25% of potential customers.

Google Cares: Accessible websites tend to rank better because they're easier for Google to understand and index.

What it should include:

• Proper heading structure
• Alt text on images (descriptions for screen readers)
• Keyboard navigation
• Color contrast that's readable
• Properly labeled forms
• Readable fonts

What it costs:

• Built in from the start: $0 (just good design practices)
• Fixed later: $500-$2,000 depending on site complexity

The bottom line: It's much easier (and cheaper) to build accessibility in from the start than to fix it later. Ask your web developer: "Will my site meet basic accessibility standards?"

Why Don't More Web Designers Talk About This Stuff?

Good question. Often it's because:

1. They assume you don't care about technical details
2. They're cutting corners to offer cheaper prices
3. They don't know (yes, really—plenty of people build websites without proper training)
4. They want to sell add-ons later instead of including them upfront

At My Web Consultant, we include all five of these features in every website we build. They're not optional extras—they're basic requirements for a professional, secure, functional website.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire Anyone

Before you hire a web designer, ask:

1. "Is SSL included and will it be properly installed?"
2. "How are backups handled, and can you restore my site if needed?"
3. "What security measures protect my site from hackers?"
4. "Will you set up professional email with proper authentication?"
5. "Will my site meet basic accessibility standards?"

If they can't give you clear answers, keep looking.

The Bottom Line

A good-looking website is worthless if it:

• Gets hacked
• Disappears when the server crashes
• Warns visitors it's "not secure"
• Can't be used by people with disabilities
• Sends emails that end up in spam

These five features aren't extras—they're requirements for a professional website that actually works for your business.

When we build websites at My Web Consultant, these features are included from day one. No surprise fees, no add-ons, no "oops, we forgot that part."

Want to know if your current website has these features? Give us a call at (904) 257-8864. We'll take a look and give you an honest assessment—no charge, no pressure.