Why One-Page Websites are a Bad Idea for Business Websites
As a business owner, you may have come across one-page websites as an option for your business. These sites have become increasingly popular in recent years because they’re fast and cheap to build. On the surface, they seem convenient — easy to scroll through on mobile devices and offering a simple user experience. But beneath this apparent simplicity lies a host of issues that make them a poor choice for most businesses.
What are one-page websites?
One-page websites mimic the structure of traditional multi-page sites, with navigation links at the top of the page. However, instead of taking users to different pages, these links direct them to sections further down the same page. While this design might seem efficient, it comes with significant drawbacks especially when it comes to search engine optimisation (SEO) and scalability.
Why one-page websites fail at SEO
Search engine optimisation is a critical component of any successful website, and this is where one-page websites falter most. Google’s algorithms are designed to index and rank pages based on focused, relevant content. Each page should ideally target one or two keyword phrases.
Web developers or SEO people with minimal experience will cram the page with a lot of keywords. This creates confusion for search engine bots, making it difficult for them to determine what the page is about. Worse still, Google may penalise your site for keyword spamming, which will hurt your rankings.
Additionally, with only one title tag, one meta description, and one URL to work with, you miss out on valuable SEO opportunities. A well-structured multi-page website allows you to optimise each page for specific keywords, improving your chances of appearing in search results.
Lack of fresh content
One-page websites also fall short when it comes to adding fresh content. Without a dedicated blog section, you lose the opportunity to publish regular updates, news, or insights. Blogs are one of the best strategies for adding value, driving website traffic, ranking for new keywords and keeping your website regularly indexed by search engines.
Poor user insights
Another downside is the inability to track user behaviour effectively. With a single page, tools like Google Analytics can’t provide detailed insights into which sections of your site visitors engage with the most. This lack of data makes it harder to refine your marketing strategy or improve user experience.
Slow load times
Despite their simplicity, one-page websites can suffer from slow load times due to the volume of content crammed onto a single page. Large images and lengthy sections contribute to slower speeds, which not only frustrates users but also negatively impacts your SEO.
Limited scalability
One-page websites are not built for growth. If you want to add more products, services, or information, you’ll quickly run out of space. Expanding a one-page site means making it excessively long, which diminishes user experience and forces you to remove valuable content.
How many pages do you really need?
To build a website that works for your business, we recommend starting with a minimum of five pages:
- Home Page – A welcoming introduction to your business.
- About Page – Share your story and build trust with visitors.
- Services Page – Detail what you offer.
- Contact Page – Make it easy for customers to get in touch.
- Privacy Policy Page – A must-have for compliance and transparency.
From there, we recommend adding individual pages for each product or service, and a blog section for ongoing updates.
We also recommend integrating the site with a CRM so that enquirers are followed up quickl and professionally, and you have a database of prospects to convert into customers.
Invest in a website that works
A bespoke, beautifully designed, well-structured, multi-page website is a highly valuable asset that engages prospects, and generates quality leads and sales.
If you’d like a site that achieves these goals, let’s talk. We’ll create you a tailored website that works hard for your business, just as we have for many Australian business owners.
