One page vs multi page website: Making the Right Choice for Your Business

There are many types of websites on the internet - e-commerce websites, event-related websites, brochure, booking, entertainment, etc. But they can be all split into two categories, a multi-page website or a one-page website (also known as a single-page website). This article outlines the pros and cons for each.

At TwoFold, I design and build both one-page sites and multi-page sites for all types of service businesses. If you’d like to know which is best for your business and goals, get in touch.

What is a multi-page website?

 A multi-page website is a type of website that has content spread across separate pages. This is the traditional way websites are set up with a traditional navigation menu.  Multi-page designs are larger websites than one-page sites as they simply have many more pages and can hold lots of content. Multi-page websites are useful for a variety of reasons and particularly great if there is an extensive amount of content or complex navigation requirements. Users can find specific content by navigating to different pages where there is an in-depth amount of content. This approach can improve SEO performance and user experience by focusing on specific keywords, while still providing convenient navigation options for users to access different sections within the website.

One of the primary advantages of a multi-page website is its ability to be optimised for search engine rankings. Each page within the multi-page website can target a specific keyword, allowing for better visibility on search engine results pages. 

What is a one-page website?

A one-page website, also known as one-page sites, is a concept where all the content is included on a single page, eliminating the need for separate pages. It presents information in a concise and simplified manner, allowing users to scroll vertically to access different sections of the website. Navigation links on a one-page website direct users to different sections of the same page, providing a smooth and seamless browsing experience.

The main advantage of a one-page website is its straightforward and intuitive design. It allows users to find information quickly and easily, as they don't need to navigate through multiple pages. Instead, they can simply scroll down the page to access different sections that provide all the relevant content.

With a one-page website, it becomes crucial to design the page in a way that organises information effectively. Each section should be distinct and clearly labeled, ensuring that users understand the different areas of the website. By utilising navigation links, users can jump directly to the section that interests them, enhancing user experience.

In summary, a one-page website is a website that includes all content on a single page. It offers a simplified design with navigation links that direct users to different sections of the same page, eliminating the need for separate pages. This concept allows for a streamlined browsing experience, making it easy for users to find the information they need.

One page website vs multiple pages for SEO

When it comes to SEO, there are advantages and disadvantages to both one-page websites and multiple-page websites.

One-page websites have the advantage of simplicity and a seamless user experience. They can be visually appealing and provide a clear and focused message.

However, in terms of SEO, one-page websites also have disadvantages. They have limited content and lack additional pages for indexing, which can hinder search engine rankings. With only one page, it becomes challenging to target a wide range of keywords and create specific landing pages for different search queries. This is especially the case as blog posts are a helpful digital marketing strategy and search engine marketing strategy for driving traffic to the website. 

On the other hand, multiple-page websites offer the advantage of having more content and a larger footprint on the web. With multiple pages, there are more opportunities for indexing and targeting a variety of keywords. Each page can be optimised for specific keywords and serve as a landing page for different search intents, enhancing SEO strategies.

However, multiple-page websites might negatively impact load times, especially if the pages are not optimised for speed. Additionally, design and navigation can become more complex with multiple pages.

Considerations for mobile experience should also be taken into account, as one-page websites tend to be more mobile-friendly and responsive.

While one-page websites offer simplicity and ease of use, multiple-page websites provide more content and the ability to target a wider range of keywords. Balancing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach is crucial for effective SEO.

If you’re unsure whether a one-page or multi-page site is the best the solution for your business, speak to an expert.

Book a free video call with me where we can discuss your business needs and goals. I’ll then be able to tell you whether a one-page or multi-page is best for your service business.

The pros of single page website design

A single page website design offers numerous advantages that can greatly enhance the user experience. Firstly, this design provides a clean and comprehensible user experience by eliminating the need for multiple pages and complex navigation menus. By condensing all the essential information on a single page, users can easily locate the desired content without the hassle of clicking through numerous links or waiting for different pages to load.

Furthermore, a single page design promotes an intuitive user journey by creating a seamless scrolling experience. Users can smoothly navigate through the entire website, effortlessly absorbing the information in a logical and linear manner. This eliminates confusion and enhances engagement, as users can easily follow the flow of information.

Moreover, a single page design can lead to increased conversions. By presenting all the necessary information on a single page, users do not need to navigate through multiple pages, reducing the likelihood of drop-offs during the conversion process. This streamlined approach simplifies the decision-making process for users, making it more likely for them to convert into customers or take the desired action.

Studies show that having a single page can lead to increased conversions (>37.5%) than multi-page sites because users begin the process sooner and move through it more quickly, with nowhere to get lost or distracted by another offer. Source: justinmind.com

For those selling a single product online, a one-page website can be effective in maintaining focus on the core offering. Yet if you are an e-commerce business with multiple products, a single-page site is cannot be achieved as you'll need to focus on product categories and individual product pages.

Another advantage of single page websites is that they are often more affordable to build, as there is less design work, development, keyword research mapping, content, search engine optimisation, etc that needs to be done upfront. This is a great solution for businesses that need to manage cash flow or are just launching.

The cons of single page website design

One of the main cons of single page website design is the impact it can have on search engine optimization (SEO). Single page websites often lack the multiple pages that allow for each page to be optimised for target keywords and topics by not providing content depth. This can make it difficult for search engines to accurately rank the website and may result in lower visibility in search engine results pages.

Another drawback of single page websites is their limited scalability. As these websites typically have all of their content on a single page, they may struggle to handle increasing amounts of content or features. This can be problematic for websites that anticipate growth or expansion, as it limits their ability to add new content without cluttering the existing page.

Single page websites may also not be ideal for growing brands. These websites often have a simple and minimalistic design, which can come across as lacking in professionalism or credibility for larger or more established companies. As a brand grows, it may require a more complex website structure that offers more opportunities for showcasing products and services.

In conclusion, single page website design has downsides that may not make it suitable for certain websites. Its negative impact on SEO, limited scalability, and potential lack of suitability for growing brands are important factors to consider when deciding on a website design approach.

The pros of multi page website design

Multi-page site design offers numerous advantages that can greatly benefit both website owners and users. One significant advantage is the scalability it provides. With multi-page designs, website owners have the freedom to create as many additional pages as needed. This unlimited scalable solution ensures that the website can grow and expand with the business without any restrictions. It allows for the inclusion of new products, services, or information, which is ideal for businesses looking to constantly update their offerings.

Another advantage of a multipage website design is the easy navigation flow that it offers. Users are familiar with this type of design as it mimics the structure of traditional books or magazines. It allows users to browse through different sections or categories effortlessly, making it easier for them to find the information they are looking for. This user-friendly experience enhances the overall usability of the website, improves user engagement, leading to increased user satisfaction.

Multipage designs also offer powerful SEO capabilities and can achieve advanced SEO strategies. With larger amounts of additional content spread across multiple pages, website owners have more opportunities to optimise their website for search engines. Each page can target relevant keywords, increasing the chances of ranking higher in search engine results. Additionally, the increased content also attracts more organic traffic, as search engines tend to favor websites with more information relevant to users' search queries.

Multipage website design offers scalability, easy navigation flow, familiarity, and powerful SEO capabilities due to the larger amounts of content it allows. By utilising this design, website owners can create a dynamic and user-friendly online presence that can adapt to their needs and attract more organic traffic.

The cons of multi-page website design

Multi-page website design may have its advantages, but it is not without its disadvantages. One of the main cons of this design approach is the challenge of managing regular updates. With a multi-page website, each page needs to be individually updated whenever new content is added or changes are made. This can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially for larger websites with numerous pages who need fresh content updates. Furthermore, the cost involved in maintaining and updating multiple pages can quickly add up, making it less cost-effective for businesses.

Another disadvantage is the potential negative impact on bounce rates. When users land on a specific page of a multi-page website, they may not easily navigate to other pages. This can lead to a higher bounce rate, as users may leave the site if they do not find the desired information on the first page they visit. Additionally, multi-page websites can be slow to load due to the larger number of pages and the need to load each page individually. This can frustrate users and lead to a poor user experience, especially mobile users.

While multi-page website design has its advantages, such as allowing for more organised content, it is important to consider the cons. These include the challenges of managing regular updates, the potential negative impact on bounce rates, and the difficulties in adapting the design to mobile devices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are advantages and disadvantages to both one-page and multi-page websites. The solution would be to work with a professional to examine what you need at your stage of the business, your budget, and what features that you may need on the website to best achieve your business goals. I offer both one-page and multi-page website design solutions to service businesses, if you would like to speak to an expert and discover how I can help, please get in touch.