One of the most critical components of a brand's online presence is its website. But it's no longer enough just to have a website – layout, design and user experience play a huge role in the way potential and current customers perceive a company. In fact, according to HubSpot, customers will stop engaging with a website if images don't load quickly or properly, if the content and layout are unattractive, or if there's no contact information.

From responsive design to the actual content of the site itself, you need to think about what message your webpage is sending to visitors. If you've been tasked with designing a website for your client, be sure to include these 13 important features recommended by Forbes Agency Council members.