When you’re planning a new website, one of the first decisions you’ll make is how big it needs to be. Some businesses need dozens of pages to cover all their products and services. Others can say everything they need to on a single page.
One-page websites have become a popular choice in recent years, especially for small businesses, start-ups and one-off events. They’re clean and simple, and they can be quicker and more affordable to build. But they’re not the right fit for everyone.
In this article, we’ll look at what a one-page website is, its benefits and drawbacks, and how to tell if it’s the right choice for your business.
What Is a One Page Website?
A one-page website is a website that sits entirely on a single page, with no extra pages to click into. All of the website’s information is available in one place for users to explore, usually split into clear sections such as About, Services, Reviews and Contact. Menu links take visitors straight down to the relevant section rather than opening a new page. This approach has both positive and negative aspects, which we take a look at here. With this, you can see if a one-page website would suit you and your business.
The Benefits
As everything is on a single page, you can control the user journey by laying out your content in the exact order you want it seen, deciding what visitors first interact with at the top of the page and what you want them to see last at the bottom. With this controlled flow, you can curate both the first impression and the lasting impression your website makes.
One-page websites also work well on mobile devices, because users only have to scroll up and down instead of tapping to open new pages and content. Scrolling is natural on a phone, which makes for a smooth and simple experience.
As this single space forms the crux of your website, all of your branding is housed here too, giving visitors a focused and consistent impression of your business. And with fewer distractions and one clear path through the page, it’s easier to guide visitors towards a single goal, such as getting in touch or making a booking.
The Drawbacks
As your entire website’s content is housed on one page, it all has to load at once. Because of this, a one-page website can take longer to load, especially if it uses lots of images or videos. Techniques such as lazy loading (where images only load as the visitor scrolls down to them) can help reduce this.
The single-page format also affects SEO. A website with multiple pages has multiple opportunities to target different keywords, with a dedicated page for each service or location. A one-page website has only one page to target its keywords, which can make it harder to rank for a wide range of searches. If you offer several different services, this can be a real limitation.
Tracking can be trickier too. With a traditional website, Google Analytics shows you which pages people visit and how they move through your site. On a one-page website, you’ll need to set up extra tracking, such as scroll depth and click events, to understand which sections your visitors are engaging with. Heatmap tools can also be very useful here.
Who Is a One Page Website Best For?
A one-page website can be a great choice if:
- You offer one main product or service
- You’re a start-up or small business that needs a professional online presence quickly
- You’re promoting a one-off event, launch or campaign
- You’re a freelancer or creative showcasing a focused portfolio
- You want visitors to take one clear action, such as calling or booking
A multi-page website is usually the better option if:
- You offer a range of different products or services
- SEO and ranking for lots of different searches is a priority
- You plan to add a blog, news section or online shop
- You expect your business and website to grow significantly
Find the Right Website for Your Business
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to website design. A one-page website can be simple, effective and great value for the right business, while others will need the space and flexibility that multiple pages provide. The key is choosing the format that matches your goals and leaves room for your business to grow.
Contact us here at Whelan Web Design if you’d like to know more about one-page websites, or if you’d like one created for your business. We specialise in business website design and can design and build the ideal online platform for you and your business.
