When is a One-Page Website Sufficient for your Service Business?
If you’re a service-based business owner, you might wonder whether a one-page website is enough to showcase your offerings. While multi-page websites are often the go-to for businesses, one-page websites can be the perfect solution in certain scenarios. Let’s explore when a one-page website might be right for you.
What is a One-Page Website?
A one-page website presents all your essential information on a single scrolling page. It can be a sleek, minimalistic way to communicate your services, with sections dedicated to introductions, offerings, testimonials, and contact details.
When Does a One-Page Website Work Best?
You Offer a Small Range of Services
If your business provides one or two (related) core services, a one-page website can effectively present this without overwhelming your audience. For example, a personal trainer or a consultant may find this format ideal.You Have a Clear Call to Action
A one-page scroll design works well when you want to guide your visitors to a specific action, such as booking a consultation or signing up for a newsletter.You’re Launching a New Business and Cashflow is Tight
A one-page website is a cost-effective way to establish an online presence quickly. It allows you to showcase your brand while leaving room to expand as your business grows. A professional one-page website is better than a low-quality, hot-mess 5-page website.Your Audience Prefers Simplicity
If your target audience values a straightforward, no-fuss browsing experience, a one-page website delivers just that. It’s especially effective for mobile users.
Key Sections to Include on a One-Page Website
To make your one-page website as effective as possible, consider including the following sections:
Hero Section
Introduce your brand with a captivating headline, subheadline, and call-to-action button.
About Section
Share your story and highlight your expertise to build trust. Keep it brief. This should more closely resemble a BIO than a full About page you’re trying to cram into the About section of a one-page website.
Services Section
Clearly outline your offerings with concise descriptions, benefits and Call To Action/Next Steps. Ideally your CTA buttons will include a direct link to purchase your service or book a call with you.
Testimonials or Reviews
Showcase social proof with quotes from satisfied clients or consider adding a Review Widget to dynamically update your reviews if you’ve managed to obtain some (yay).
Contact Section
Include a contact form or contact details to make it easy for visitors to reach out.
Limitations of One-Page Websites
They tend to be one long scrolling page
Don’t ever assume that a website viewer will carefully read every word on your website.
I know, it’s sad… they won’t.
Everyone is time-poor, so it’s essential to make it as easy as possible for users to find what they are looking for quickly —every second counts.
I recommend using links in the main navigation to allow visitors to jump to specific page sections without endless scrolling. These links within a page are called ‘anchor links.' This enhances the user experience, especially for mobile users, and ensures your audience can easily find the information they need.
With Squarespace’s new anchor link feature available directly in section settings, creating seamless navigation for your one-page website is easier than ever. This intuitive tool lets you assign anchor links with just a few clicks, streamlining the process of setting up a user-friendly layout.
Are One-page websites bad for SEO?
One-page websites are not ideal for generating organic search traffic. With limited content and fewer opportunities for keyword optimisation, they may struggle to rank well in search engine results. As such, it’s crucial to have a clear marketing strategy to drive traffic to your one-page site, such as social media, referrals, PR, Google My Business profile, email marketing, or paid advertising.
Should you skip a one-page website altogether if they don’t boost your SEO? No!
A well-crafted professional website is better than:
a dodgy DIY or cheap-as-chips page website, and
nothing at all
Lay solid foundations first!
Why Invest in a Professionally Designed One-Page Website?
While a one-page website may seem simpler than a multi-page site, it still requires careful planning and design to ensure all essential information is presented effectively. After all, this one page needs to work hard!
Investing in a professionally designed one-page website ensures your business stands out, communicates clearly, aligns with your branding, and accurately represents the quality of your services.
The design, layout, and functionality need to be meticulously crafted to create a seamless user experience. Additionally, the site should be built with accessibility in mind, ensuring that all users can navigate and engage with your content effectively.
You can view examples of one-page Squarespace websites below
When is a One-Page Website Not Recommended?
You Have Complex or Extensive Services
If your business offers a wide range of services, a one-page website may not provide enough space to detail them effectively. Multi-page sites allow for dedicated pages for each service, improving clarity and user experience.
You Rely Heavily on SEO
If organic search traffic is a key part of your marketing strategy, a one-page website will likely fall short. Multi-page websites offer more opportunities for keyword optimisation and in-depth content that search engines prioritise.
Your Audience Needs Detailed Information
For industries like law, finance, or design services, where users need in-depth resources, explanations or portfolios, a multi-page site is better suited to meet their expectations. Further, the more expensive your services are, the more robust your website should be in instilling users with the confidence to work with you.
You’re an Established Business
Established businesses often need to showcase their experience, extensive portfolios, and detailed services, which may be difficult to achieve within the confines of a one-page layout.
Examples of one-page Squarespace websites
Anna Peck Psychology
FEARLESScomms (Collaboration with Design Salad)
The Takeaway
A one-page website isn’t for every business. It can be an elegant and impactful solution when used strategically. However, it’s essential to understand its limitations and pair it with a robust marketing strategy.
As a Squarespace designer, I’ve helped numerous start-up businesses create stunning one-page websites that capture their personality, competitive differences, and service offerings. If you’re unsure whether this approach is right for your business, I’d love to chat about your unique situation or you can read more about my Squarespace web design service.
