One-page websites may seem like an easy solution to have something up there for your business and many services and website builder templates offer them. But do they do more harm than good?
Are they worth it? What’s the advantage of having multiple pages if you feel like you can say it all with just one?
This is more than just a question of aesthetics. Adopting one design or another could impact your search engine rankings. Find out if one-page websites are a good idea with our list of the pros and cons.
What is a Single-Page Website?
First off, let’s break down what we mean by a one-page design. A single-page website also called a one-page website, compiles all of your brand’s information and CTAs on a single page using a minimalistic design. Users continue to scroll down the page to read content about your business and its products or services.
A single-page application (SPA) might be used, which shows a menu at the top of the page. Users can click on different links in the menu to move further down the page. This differs from a multi-page website, which has additional pages and navigation buttons to help a user move to different places on the site.
Who Uses Single-Page Websites?
Any business or brand can use a single-page website. And many do. But these are generally more successful when the focus is limited. For example, some common uses for one-page websites include:
- Website for an app
- Website for an event
- Website for a single product
There are tons of one-page websites on the web. Businesses choose them because they’re simple and can be quick to launch or have a very specific message they want to convey and may not need to rely on SEO to drive traffic.
Some examples of one-page websites we love:
Pros of Using One-Page Websites
There are absolutely some benefits to this approach. These include:
- Flawless Mobile Experience
Google announced in 2019 it was moving toward a mobile-first indexing strategy. So, a website that performs well on mobile devices should be a priority for your business. One of the biggest advantages of a one-page website design is that these types of sites are fast-loading, easy to navigate, and simple to convert to mobile.
- Specific Audience Targeting
If you’re looking to target a specific audience and provide a certain type of user experience, a one-page website might be a good option. This type of site makes it easier to control your visitor’s behavior on the site and direct their activity versus having them click through different pages.
It’s important to note that the purpose of your website must be simple. If there are too many details crammed onto a single page, your visitors can quickly get confused or turned off.
- Higher Page Authority
A website’s page authority is mostly determined by the number and quality of the backlinks it is able to get. Higher page authority translates to better search engine rankings.
There is a slight advantage for one-page websites because every backlink points to the main URL. In other words, you don’t have to worry about getting links to the other pages on your site.
- Easy Build and Maintenance
Since one-page websites are smaller, they are easier to build and maintain in theory. Most have a simple design and user interface. But that also means your site may be lacking some of the features of larger sites.
Cons of Using One-Page Websites
Unfortunately, single-page websites have a lot of limitations. Some of the disadvantages of choosing this type of website include:
- Limited Keyword Targeting
Because one-page websites are often designed around a single, narrow concept, they have limited keyword targeting. This means they are going to limit your ability to rank for a variety of relevant keywords your target audience might use to find you.
Multi-page websites give you the opportunity to target different keyword phrases throughout your content to attract a broader audience. If organic search rankings are a priority for your business, a multi-page website will be a better choice.
- Limited Content Details
Another disadvantage of one-page websites is the content you publish on them isn’t going to be as specific as what you can put on a multi-page site. Every customer is unique, and some will have different questions and concerns than others. When you have unlimited space, you can devote separate pages to different topics to help guide the customer journey.
- Limited Advanced SEO Strategies
One-page websites also limit your advanced SEO options. For example, you will be unable to leverage something called siloing with a single-page website. This refers to structuring a website’s content into various areas of interest so you demonstrate authority on those topics.
With a single page, it’s impossible to cover every topic that might relate to your industry or product. But traditional, multi-page websites, make this type of organization simple. And it can help you rank well in the search engines for these targeted keywords.
- Limited Scalability
Finally, it’s going to be tough to grow your brand with a single-page website. Since this type of single has a narrow focus, there is a limited ability to scale. In short, this type of site isn’t appropriate for a business that requires varied and complex content. If you own a small business you hope to expand in the future (doesn’t everyone?), it’s a good idea to think about the scalability of your digital marketing strategies.
Connect With Us to Discuss Your Digital Marketing Goals
Bottom line – one-page websites aren’t going to give you as many SEO benefits as multi-page ones. But the type of website you choose will depend on your particular needs and business goals. Once you’ve decided on the type of website to build and launch, find out what the next steps should be regarding your new website. If you still have questions about how to get the most out of your digital marketing efforts, we’d be happy to help! Drop us a line, and let’s connect.