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5 Essential Webpages

5 Essential Pages Every Website Needs in 2025

A simple one-page website can be a fantastic choice for certain scenarios. For example, if you’re launching a small campaign, showcasing a portfolio, or providing basic information about your services, a sleek and focused one-pager can deliver everything your audience needs in a clear, streamlined format.

However, if your goals include sharing a lot of content, ranking higher in search engine results, or building a strong online presence for a growing business, a multi-page website is the better fit. A well-structured site with multiple pages allows you to organize information effectively, target diverse keywords, and create a user experience that guides visitors through your brand’s story and offerings.

Let’s dive into the five essential pages you need to build a killer website in 2025.

1. Homepage

Wow your visitors

Your Homepage is often people’s first real glimpse into your brand. Make sure it pops and helps you stand out from the crowd.

Key elements to include:

  • A clear headline: Explain what you do, the problem you solve, and the value you bring.
  • A visual splash: Use bold design and high-quality imagery that reflects your brand.
  • A bold call-to-action (CTA): Get visitors to take the next step, whether that’s exploring your services, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase.
  • Easy navigation: Make it super simple for users to find their way around your site.
  • Trust signals: Include testimonials, awards, or key stats to build credibility.

Your Homepage should also set the tone for the rest of your site. It’s your chance to establish your brand’s personality and voice right from the get-go. First impressions matter, so make sure your Homepage encourages visitors to stick around!

2. About Page

Share your story and earn trust

The About Page is where visitors go to learn what you’re all about.

Key elements to include:

  • Your story: Let people in on your mission, vision, and values. Always be authentic!
  • Meet the team: Introduce the people behind the brand.
  • Milestones and wins: Show off your journey and achievements.
  • Great visuals: Think team photos, office vibes, or other snapshots that bring your story to life.

Your About Page isn’t just a background check. It’s a chance to make a real connection. This is where you show visitors why they should trust you and what sets you apart from the competition. Share your passion, purpose, and the people behind the scenes to transform casual visitors into loyal, engaged customers.

3. Services or Products Page

What you bring to the table

Show what you have to offer and turn curious visitors into happy customers.

Key elements to include:

  • Simple descriptions: Make it crystal clear what you’re offering and why people need to have it.
  • Stunning visuals: Show off your products or services with high-quality pics or videos.
  • What makes you different: Highlight your unique selling points.
  • Pricing upfront: Don’t play hide-and-seek with costs; transparency wins trust.
  • Strong CTAs: Guide users to buy, subscribe, or reach out with ease.

This is your spotlight moment, a chance to make visitors feel like they’ve found exactly what they need. Use compelling language, eye-catching visuals, and clear calls-to-action to create an experience that turns interest into action and curiosity into conversion.

4. Blog or Resources Page

Educate visitors and boost your search rankings

Your Blog or Resources Page is your content playground. Prove you know your stuff and pull in traffic!

Key elements to include:

  • Hot industry trends: Share insights and establish yourself as an expert.
  • How-tos and guides: Offer actionable advice to solve problems for your audience.
  • Mixed media: Spice things up with videos, infographics, and podcasts.
  • FAQs: Address common questions to keep visitors informed and happy.

Here’s a real chance to blend value and visibility. Delivering fresh, engaging content will help you become your industry’s go-to authority. Think of your Blog or Resources page as your secret weapon to build trust, spark conversations, and keep visitors coming back for more.

5. Contact Page

Make connecting a breeze

Your Contact Page should make it easy for users to get in touch. Keep it simple and friendly!

Key elements to include:

  • Contact form: Name, email, and message fields. The basics!
  • Clickable contact info: Make phone numbers and emails tap-friendly for mobile users.
  • Social media links: Let visitors find you on their favourite platforms.
  • Address and map: If you have a physical location, make sure it’s easy to find.

Your Contact Page is your open door. When someone walks through, make sure you’re there to greet them with a smile!

Conclusion

In 2025, don’t think of a well-built website as a luxury. It’s an absolute necessity when it comes to hooking an audience, and these five pages are the perfect springboard for establishing a digital presence that looks amazing, ranks well, and turns clicks into customers. 

We’re always here to help you make the most of your online space, so let’s get started!

Great Place To Work 2025

WHC is a certified Great Place to Work®!

We don’t want to brag, but… okay, maybe just a little. For the fifth year in a row, WHC has been certified a Great Place to Work®! 🎉Woot Woot! 

It feels like a big group hug from our team, a celebration of a workplace that truly cares. This recognition isn’t something we take lightly. It’s a reflection of our amazing people, our supportive culture, and the heart we put into making WHC a place where everyone feels valued.

A culture that inspires

Over the past two decades, WHC has grown into one of Canada’s leading web hosting providers. But even as we’ve expanded, one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to our people.

Here’s why WHC is more than just a workplace:

  • We Prioritize Well-Being: Flexible schedules, a work-from-anywhere policy, and wellness programs help our team balance work and life with ease.
  • We Celebrate Together: From weekly bagel brunches at our Montreal office to company-wide retreats, we find meaningful ways to connect, laugh, and make memories.
  • We Empower Our Team: Transparency is key at WHC, and we keep all lines of communication open so everyone feels involved and valued.

22 years and counting

Later this year, we’ll be celebrating 22 incredible years of helping Canadians succeed online. It’s been an exciting journey, from a small team with big dreams to a trusted partner for businesses and individuals across the country.

None of this would have been possible without our incredible team. Each milestone we’ve reached has been powered by their dedication, creativity, and passion. WHC is more than just a company—it’s a community.

About Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work® (GPTW) is a global leader in evaluating workplace culture. It assesses organizations on five key areas: Credibility, Respect, Pride, Fairness, and Camaraderie. Employees fill out the Trust Index™ survey, and based on the results, companies that meet the standards are certified and recognized for creating exceptional workplaces.

In Canada, GPTW gathers insights from thousands of employees across industries like tech, healthcare, retail, and more. It’s a trusted benchmark used by organizations nationwide to build better, more engaging workplaces.

Ready to join us?

As we look ahead to new opportunities, we’re growing our team! If you’re someone who loves to tackle challenges, bring fresh ideas to the table, and work with a team that genuinely cares, WHC could be the perfect fit for you.

Check out our open positions and apply today—we’d love to have you with us as we continue to make WHC a truly great place to work!

Web Design Trends 2025

10 Web Design Trends to Watch in 2025

Web design is an ever-evolving art, driven by tech innovations, shifting user demands, and bold creative ideas. For businesses and brands, staying ahead of the curve in 2025 is crucial to keeping websites fresh and impactful.

The hottest web design trends are all about elevating user experiences, boosting site speed, and crafting visually stunning, interactive, and personalized digital spaces. Looking to bring these trends to life for your website? WHC’s Pro Services can help you stay ahead with expert web design solutions tailored to your needs.

Now let’s dive into the trends that will shape web design in 2025!

1. Minimalist Design With Bold Typography

10 Design Trends

“Less is more” is often at the heart of modern design. A simple, minimalist approach with clean lines and ample blank space continues to dominate, and is often paired with bold, eye-catching typography that adds personality without overcrowding the page. Large, expressive fonts help communicate brand identity and grab attention, even on simple layouts.

2. Dark Mode and High Contrast Designs

10 Design Trends

Dark mode has become a staple in web design, not only because of its sleek appearance but also for its user-friendly benefits. Dark backgrounds with high-contrast elements reduce eye strain, save battery life, and add a touch of sophistication. This trend is particularly popular in creative industries and tech sites, where a bold, edgy look aligns with brand identity.

3. Custom Illustrations

10 Design Trends

Illustrations can transform websites into vibrant, dynamic canvases, offering a creative way of conveying brand messages and stories. With custom illustrations, you can enhance the visual appeal and personality of your brand and website. 

Quirky characters, rich landscapes, or abstract artwork all add a unique flair that static images or simple text can't achieve.

4. Micro-Interactions and Scroll Animations

Micro-interactions are small, subtle animations that make web content more engaging through movement and interaction. They provide clear, intuitive guidance and feedback without taking up much space. Examples include hovering effects, loading icons, and animated transitions.

Scroll-triggered animations are visually engaging, providing an interactive experience that responds to user behavior. As users scroll, elements animate, move, or change colour, adding depth to the content and making the browsing experience more enjoyable. These animations are popular on storytelling sites, portfolios, and product showcases.

5. 3D Elements and Immersive Web Experiences

10 Design Trends

Thanks to advances in web technology, integrating 3D elements into web design is becoming more accessible. From interactive product displays to virtual environments, 3D design is making websites more engaging and realistic. 

3D technology allows users to immerse themselves in content and is a powerful tool for brands looking to captivate and retain their audience.

6. AI-Driven Personalization

Personalization has long been a key aspect of digital marketing, and now, with the power of artificial intelligence, it’s even more effective. AI can analyze user behaviour in real-time, customizing website elements like product recommendations, layout, and even copy to create a personalized experience. This approach tailors content to the user’s needs, making interactions more relevant and satisfying.

7. Sustainable Web Design

10 Design Trends

Sustainability is now a huge influence on web design, with more businesses seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. This is incredibly important to WHC, as reflected by our partnership with the Green Business Bureau. Sustainable web design focuses on optimizing code, minimizing resource-heavy elements, and reducing energy consumption. Websites built with eco-friendly principles in mind load faster, have fewer graphics, and are often minimalist by nature. This approach not only appeals to environmentally conscious users but also improves site performance.

8. Voice Search Optimization and Accessibility

As voice-activated devices become more popular, voice search optimization is essential for modern websites. Designing websites to be accessible through voice search requires simplifying language, structuring content, and using keywords that mimic natural speech. Accessibility, more broadly, has also become a priority, with features like text-to-speech, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast design making websites usable for everyone.

9. Augmented Reality (AR) Integration

10 Design Trends

Augmented reality is becoming a game-changer for industries like retail, real estate, and hospitality. AR allows users to interact with products or spaces in a virtual environment, like trying on clothes or placing furniture in their home. With the growth of AR, more websites are incorporating AR tools directly into their design, offering users an interactive, practical experience without needing to visit a physical store.

10. Asymmetrical Layouts and Breaking the Grid

10 Design Trends

Traditional web design relies on a grid-based layout, but recent trends show designers pushing boundaries with asymmetrical and “broken” grid designs. These layouts give websites a more dynamic, unpredictable feel, helping brands stand out. Asymmetrical designs are popular among creative brands and agencies looking to showcase innovation and originality.

Staying on Trend With Purpose

Modern web design trends are all about delivering fast, immersive, and personalized experiences that keep users clicking. But instead of trying to jump on every trend, it’s important to choose the ones that align with your brand and truly serve your audience. Prioritize what enhances usability, functionality, and style, and you’ll craft a website that’s not just stunning, but unforgettable. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, embracing the right trends in 2025 can keep you competitive and leave a lasting impression in the ever-evolving digital world.

Looking to kickstart a project or breathe new life into a website you already have? WHC’s team of design experts is here to take care of all you need.

WHC WordPress Tools Plugin

New WHC Tools Plugin: A Better Managed WordPress Experience

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new WHC Tools WordPress Plugin! Designed exclusively for WHC’s Managed WordPress hosting customers, this plugin seamlessly integrates the WordPress admin interface with WHC’s Client Area, providing greater efficiency and convenience.

Here’s what you need to know about the WHC Tools plugin, its features, availability, and how it can enhance your WordPress experience.

What is the WHC Tools plugin?

The WHC Tools plugin is a powerful tool that streamlines site management for our Managed WordPress hosting customers. From your WordPress dashboard, you can now:

  • Quickly set up and manage your Staging environment (where you can test changes before pushing them live);
  • Easily switch between Live and Staging environments from within WordPress; and
  • View detailed information about your Live and Staging environments, including sync statuses.

This plugin is your new command center for managing WordPress with WHC, accessible directly from the “WHC Tools” menu item in your WordPress admin interface.

How does it simplify WordPress management?

Access WordPress from your Client Area

  • One-Click Login: No need to reenter credentials. Access WordPress securely from your WHC Client Area. Managed WP UI
  • Secure and Efficient Communication: Built with WHC’s API, it ensures maximum security and performance.

Switch Environments Easily

  • Quick Toggling: Seamlessly switch between Live and Staging environments via a dropdown menu.
  • Clear Indicators: Colour-coded labels help you instantly identify the active environment. Managed WP UI

Know Environment State & Sync Status Instantly

  • Environment Information: View and monitor critical environment details for both Live and Staging, including the WordPress version installed in each environment, plugins installed, the active theme, and more!
  • Sync Status: Check the sync status to ensure your Live and Staging environments are aligned. Managed WP UI

Create a Staging Environment

  • Staging Controls: If you haven’t set up a Staging environment, the plugin provides a direct link to do so in your Client Area. Managed WP UI
  • Sync Details: Easily track the last sync date and time for your environments.

As with any new feature, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Changes to an environment’s PHP version must be made manually in cPanel for each environment; these are not synchronized.

This plugin enhances the Managed WordPress experience, but we understand that not every customer may want to use it. This is why those who want to disable it can easily deactivate the plugin in the WordPress “Plugins” section. No hassle, no strings attached!

What’s Next?

We’re excited for you to try out the WHC Tools plugin and see how it transforms the way you manage your WordPress hosting.

Thank you for choosing WHC. Based on your feedback, we’re actively working to improve and expand the plugin’s capabilities. Let’s make Managed WordPress hosting easier and more efficient together!

9 Essential Product & Leadership Books

9 Essential Books for Product & Leadership (2025 Edition)

As the year wraps up and I look back and selfishly reflect on personal accomplishments (professional accomplishments to follow in a separate post), I’d have to dub 2024 “the year of learning.” 

Over the last 18 months, I’ve set aside some regular quiet time to go back to the basics and read. No, not online or behind a screen, but the good old-fashioned print version, with a coffee, on my balcony (at least during summer, weather permitting). I highly recommend the experience; it infused me with new energy, ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Those who know me understand that sharing what I’ve learned is an important part of who I am. So in that spirit, I’m happy to share my essential Product & Leadership reads for 2025.

Passion Meets Purpose

Why Product & Leadership? Simply put, those are the two hats I wear today within WHC. As CEO and Head of Product, I’m tasked with driving strategic leadership at WHC while leading product initiatives that solve real problems for our clients. In tech, these are powerful skill sets that are essential in taking startups and scaleups to the next level.

Without further ado, here are the books that have impacted me most, and why:

1. Inspired, Marty Cagan, 2017 (2nd Edition)


Inspired book

Inspired is a must-read for tech startups looking to build products that truly resonate with customers. Cagan, a former product leader at eBay and HP, outlines a practical framework for creating innovative, market-defining products. He emphasizes the importance of strong product teams, clear decision-making, and relentless customer focus. Startups will gain insight into prioritizing features, avoiding common pitfalls, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and iteration.

2. Shape Up, Ryan Singer (Basecamp), 2019


Shape Up book

Written by a leader at Basecamp, Shape Up offers a unique approach to software development that moves beyond traditional Agile and Scrum methodologies. Singer introduces concepts like "betting" on projects rather than planning them, empowering small teams to work on longer build cycles. This book helps tech startups streamline product development, reduce wasted effort, and maintain agility as they scale, all while avoiding the common trap of endless backlogs.

3. Good to Great, Jim Collins, 2001


Good to great book

While not specific to tech, Good to Great provides essential leadership principles that are crucial for startups aiming for sustained success. Collins identifies the traits of companies that made the leap from good to great, such as the "Hedgehog Concept" and "Level 5 Leadership." For tech founders, it offers guidance on building enduring companies, focusing on long-term strategic thinking, and hiring the right talent to scale the business effectively.

4. Deep Work, Cal Newport, 2016


Deep work book

Deep Work explains how startups can achieve extraordinary results by fostering a culture of intense, focused work. Newport argues that shallow work (like emails and meetings) drains productivity, while "deep work" creates true value. For tech startups, the book provides actionable strategies to help teams focus on critical tasks, eliminate distractions, and achieve breakthrough innovation, especially in software development and technical problem-solving.

5. Start with Why, Simon Sinek, 2009


Start with why book

Start with Why is a blueprint for purpose-driven leadership and brand positioning. Sinek's "Golden Circle" framework emphasizes the importance of starting with "why" — the core mission and values — before moving to "how" and "what." Tech startups can use this approach to craft compelling brand stories, align their teams around a shared vision, and attract customers and investors who believe in their mission.

6. Radical Candor, Kim Scott, 2017


Radical candor book

Effective team communication is essential for tech startups, and Radical Candor provides a clear path for achieving it. Scott, a former Google and Apple executive, teaches leaders to balance "care personally" with "challenge directly" to build honest, respectful feedback loops. Startups that adopt this approach foster open communication, resolve conflicts faster, and create a high-performing, aligned team culture.

7. Traction, Gino Wickman, 2007


Traction book

Traction introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework designed to bring structure and accountability to fast-growing businesses. For startups navigating rapid growth, EOS helps define roles, set clear goals, and track performance. This system ensures that everyone in the company is aligned on priorities, which is crucial for scaling a tech startup while maintaining operational efficiency.

8. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, Patrick Lencioni, 2002


Five Dysfunctions of a Team book

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is a leadership fable that illustrates the key pitfalls that prevent teams from achieving their full potential. For tech startups, this book is essential for building strong, cohesive teams. Lencioni’s model highlights issues like lack of trust, fear of conflict, and lack of accountability — all of which are common in fast-paced, high-stress environments like startups & scaleups. Solving these dysfunctions leads to better team alignment and higher performance.

9. Process! How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free. Mike Paton and Lisa González, 2020


Process book

Process! provides a playbook for turning chaos into clarity. For tech startups that often struggle with fast-paced change, the book emphasizes the power of process discipline. Paton and González explain how to document, standardize, and optimize essential workflows, from customer onboarding to technical development. By doing so, startups can reduce errors, improve efficiency, and free up leadership to focus on growth and strategy.

Back to the Basics

Books are powerful tools for transformation. They inspire, teach, and push us to think differently. As 2025 approaches, I encourage you to carve out time for your own “year of learning.” Whether it’s one of the books I’ve shared or another that resonates with you, remember that every new page is a step forward in your journey. 

If you’ve got a book recommendation or want to chat about these reads, feel free to reach out or drop a comment. Here’s to growth, innovation, and a thriving year ahead! 🥂