Building a website for your business can feel like a lot. There’s the tech setup, the design decisions, figuring out how many pages you need, the copywriting, and more. Before you know it, you’ve spent weeks (or months) just thinking about your website instead of actually launching it.
If you’re looking for a simpler, less overwhelming option, then a one-page website could be the answer. For many service-based businesses, a one-page website can be a simple, quick and highly effective alternative to a traditional multi-page website. In this blog post, we’ll go over what a one-page website is, the pros and cons and if it’s right for your business.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I gain a commission at no cost to you if you decide to make a purchase through these links.
What is a one-page website?
As the name suggests, a one-page website presents all your essential information on a single scrolling page. Instead of having multiple pages like “Home,” “About,” and “Services,” all your key content is on one page. It’s minimal, straightforward, and designed to guide visitors through the main things they need to know about your business and your work without them clicking around or getting distracted.
Do one-page websites really have just one page?
Not exactly. Asides from the main page, it also has some pages that are essential to a website or make for a better overall experience. These pages include:
- Legal pages: Every website needs to have a privacy policy and/or terms and conditions page
- 404 page: another essential page a website needs to have
- Optional addons: Like a blog (good for content marketing & driving traffic to your website) or a single portfolio page (if you want to showcase some more of your work)
So even though you have one main page that your website viewers see, these other pages can be present on the website.
Benefits of a one-page website
Simple to create and low maintenance
It takes less time to create and launch a one-page website compared to a multipage website. You’re focused mainly on one page, so there’s less copy, fewer images and minimal tech setup needed, which reduces the overwhelm (especially if you’re trying to DIY it yourself), and reduces the cost if you decide to work with a website designer to create it.
Updating and editing a single page is also easier and less time-consuming because it’s just one page instead of many. No need to update five different pages or manage endless navigation links.
Easy to navigate
One-page websites make it easier for your visitors to find what they need since it’s all on one page. They don’t need to click through multiple pages and risk getting distracted, they just scroll up or down. You should also add in a menu with links to the different sections on the page for better user experience, so your visitors can click the links and jump down to the exact information/section they’re looking for on the page.
Higher conversion rate
As a one-page website delivers your message all on a single page and leads your dream clients directly to your call-to-action, this can lead to higher conversion rates. Your viewers aren’t moving through multiple pages, having to consume more information or click multiple links, there’s potential for fewer distractions and more focused action.
Your message also tends to be more focused and clear as you’re working with just one-page and have to make sure your viewers get the essential information they need. So focused messaging + less distractions + a clear action to take (fill contact form, book a call with scheduler etc.) all on the same page increases the potential for conversions.
An affordable and faster way to launch
If you’re a service provider or small business with limited resources & time, a one-page website can help you get your information out there without a large investment of time or money. You can have a strategic, streamlined and stunning one-page website up in no time.
As a website designer, I can create and launch one-page websites in less than a week for my clients, compared to a more complex multi-page site that can take 3-6 + weeks to complete.
A lot of business owners and creatives think they need a big, multi-page site to look professional and make money. This can lead to months of delays, frustration or spending more money than necessary. But a one-page website might be all you need to showcase your offers and grow your business, especially if you’re in the early stages of your business.
A solid foundation
At the end of the day, getting a domain and having a well-crafted one-page website for your business is better than not having any website at all. A well crafted one-page website is a good start, you build your search rankings and domain authority with it and have a place to direct prospective clients, and as your business grows, you can easily add on more pages as you have your base website design so you’re not starting the page designs from scratch.
Cons of one-page websites
Limited space for very detailed content
Since you’re working with one-page, you do have a somewhat limited space for your content, as you don’t want to create a super long scrolling page, cramped with information that might make viewers tired.
This issue can be countered by;
- having focused messaging (straightforward copy with keywords for SEO)
- a menu that contains links to each section so viewers can easily move around
- a good mix of text, images, bullet points and good design choices to showcase your information in an easy to scan manner.
The one-page website needs to have a strategically crafted layout and be designed to create a seamless user experience. It should also be built with accessibility in mind, ensuring that users can interact with and navigate it effectively.
This is a major reason why I created my one-page website build offer. I can help you create a semi-custom, strategic, and stunning one-page website for your business that converts. You focus on your business while I set everything up and launch your website in no time, at a fraction of the cost of a custom website.🖥️Learn more about this service and how it can make things easier for you here.
Limited SEO potential
Compared to multi-page websites, one-page websites can be at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to search rankings because they contain less content and fewer opportunities for keyword optimization.
Does this mean one-page websites are bad for SEO? No. You just need to be more strategic with your website copy and have other ways to drive traffic to your website (e.g. social media, email marketing, referrals etc.). Adding on a blog for content marketing also helps.
Is a one-page website right for your business?
There are several factors that can affect if a one-page website is right for your business, from your type of business, your resources, specific business needs, goals and more. Let’s break them some of them down.
1. You’re in the first 1 – 2 years of starting your business and need a simple, strategic, and affordable website
If you’re in the early stages of your business, one-page websites are a great way to get your business online quickly. They’re easier to set up, more streamlined (so you don’t need a lot of content), and more affordable if you decide to get a website designer to create one for you. It’s a practical way to build momentum, show up confidently, and have a professional home base for your offers, even while you’re still refining them.
If the thought of creating a multi-page website seems overwhelming to you and keeps you procrastinating creating a website for your business, then it might be time to start simple with a one-page website. As your business grows, you can add in more pages and flesh out your website into a multi-page one.
2. You offer a small range of services
If you have between 1 – 3 main services or offers, a one-page website can give you all the space you need to communicate what you do and who it’s for, without it being overwhelming for your audience.
For example, if you’re a;
- personal trainer with two main fitness packages
- an author with one or two books
- a virtual assistant with two main services
- an ecommerce brand with just one product
- a freelancer, consultant or startup with a specific audience and 1 – 2 core offers, etc.,
a one-page website can work really well for you.
But if you have a larger business with multiple offers/services that need their own separate pages to go in-depth for your audience, then a one-page website would not work well for you.
3. You don’t need complex features and want a website that’s easy to maintain
If you don’t need complex features like a shop & funnels or you don’t serve multiple audiences that might need their own separate spaces on your website, then a one-page website is a good choice.
It’s also easier to update and edit than multi-page websites. You can refresh your copy, switch out photos, or add a new testimonial without worrying about design consistency across multiple pages. If tech tends to stress you out, this is a good low-maintenance solution.
This is also one reason I build one-page websites, and websites in general, on Showit. Showit is a drag-and-drop, fully customizable (no coding required!) web design platform that’s flexible and easy to update. This makes it easy for clients to make simple edits to their websites without worrying about learning code or breaking their website. You can sign up for a free trial to check out the Showit platform and see for yourself.
Finding the right fit
At the end of the day, it’s not about which type of website is “better.” It’s about which one makes the most sense for where your business is right now, your audience and you.
If you’re early in your journey or simply want something simple and strategic, a one-page website is a fantastic starting point. It gives you a streamlined, professional presence online. One that grows with you and you can always expand later when you’re ready for more.
If you have a larger or more established business with many offers, then a multi-page website gives you more flexibility and depth.
If you need help creating a one-page website for your business, I’d love to help with my one-page website build service. Let’s create a semi-custom website that makes your business standout and converts viewers to clients. If you’re unsure if one-page website is right for your business, you can book a short call below (no strings attached) and we’d go over your business needs and help you make a decision.
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