Are One-Page Websites A Good Idea?

If you can’t choose between a single-page website or a traditional multi-page website, you’re probably wondering ‘Are one page websites a good idea?’

Yes, one-page websites are a good idea for simplified navigation and focused messaging, especially beneficial for small businesses, events, or portfolios. However, they may pose SEO challenges and might not suit larger businesses with a wide range of products or services.

A one-page website keeps things simple – your business all on one scrollable page. They can be short, punchy and eye-catching, or long and informative.

There’s no fussy menu and some business owners love the simplicity and focus they offer.

But is a one-page site the right choice for your business?

For those of you who are new to web design, I’ll simplify it down so you can make a better informed choice.

Why Choose a One Page Website?

One page sites come with some nice advantages.

Visitors simply scroll down instead of clicking through multiple pages.

This creates a simple path rather than a confusing, maze-like navigation through additional pages.

Looks Good on Mobile:

One-page website designs come into their own on mobile phones and tablets.

A significant chunk of web browsing, about 56% as of 2023, is done on mobile devices. With a single page site users can easily scroll through the entire landing page and visitors don’t have to wait for new pages to load.

Quick and Budget-Friendly to Launch

If time is of the essence or your website budget is tight, one-page websites come to the rescue.

You can get a one-page website up and running extremely quickly – some in as little as a few days or weeks, versus months for larger, traditional sites.

Costs can be typically much lower.

Focused Messaging

With just one page you can get your core message across right away.

This focus results in clearer communication and often leads to higher conversion rates.

When Might a Single Page Website Not Be A Good Idea?

I’ll be honest, while a single-page site offers advantages, there are some pros and cons to consider.

Restricted Space for Larger Businesses

If your business has a range of products or services, a single-page design will fall short:

• Limited Space: Struggling to fit in multiple product details.
• Overwhelming: Too much information can overwhelm visitors.

SEO & Finding Your Business Online

One page websites might face challenges in search engine rankings due to:

• Fewer Keywords: Limited space for keyword optimisation.
• Less Content: Search engines prefer content-rich websites.

View our ‘SEO for Photographers‘ case study to see how this SEO strategy can make a significant difference.

Growing Your Website

As a business and site grow over time, cramming more and more sections and information onto a single page will become confusing.

If you know you are going to grow your business quickly or introduce new services imminently, a traditional multi page site with dedicated service pages may be better suited for long-term needs.

Simplifying the Pros and Cons

When considering a one-page site, think about:

• Purpose: What are your main website goals and priorities? Will they fit well in a single page format?
• Content Volume: How much content do you realistically need to sell your service or product?
• Budget and Time: What is your budget and timeframe for getting your site up and running?
• Plan to Expand? Do you anticipate wanting to grow your website substantially in the next 1-3 years?

Answering these questions can help in making an informed decision if a one-page or traditional multi-page site is the best choice.

A one-page website offers an appealing simplicity for many businesses. But cramped space and scaling challenges can make them a poor choice for larger or growing companies.

If you want a chat to discuss your website, get in touch with us today. We’d love to hear from you 🙂