Introduction of Single Page Website

A single or one page website is simply a website that only contains one HTML page. There are no additional pages, such as an About, Features or Contact Us page.

Single page websites are fully loaded content on the first page, giving the user a more continuous and fluid experience. Users can scroll down a single page website to find various content parts. Otherwise, they can click navigation links that let them jump to specific locations on the page.

The goal of single page websites is to offer exactly the correct amount of information so that a user can decide and take action. Because of this, landing pages, portfolios, and websites for events frequently employ single-page designs. By eliminating any extraneous distractions from the UI, this minimalist site design draws the user’s attention to the most crucial information.

The pros of single page website design

Why choose an one page design for your website rather than one with multiple pages? Successful one page websites are first and foremost clear and understandable. Users may easily absorb a one page website with content broken up into manageable bits and minimal UI clutter.

Single page design also contributes to an intuitive user journey. With no additional pages, visitors enjoy a linear navigation flow – which tells a story with a clearly-distinguished beginning, middle and end.

Another advantage of having a straightforward navigation design is that user usually only takes one 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.

Did we mention single design great for responsive website prototypes? With small amounts content, you can adapt single page websites to smaller screens and devices easily and consistently. Plus, scrolling is an easy and natural movement for touch screen mobile devices.

But that’s not all – there are some interesting benefits for designers too. For instance, with only one page, there are zero screen-to-screen links and much less content than on a multi-page design. This makes single-page web design generally easier to implement, iterate and maintain. Hurray!

The cons of single page website design

But it’s not all roses. There are a few reasons why single page design might not be right for your website.

Single page websites aren’t big on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). In fact, they could hurt your chances of ranking with Google and result in decreased conversions and user engagement. With so little content, target keywords often get neglected on single page sites. Moreover, siloing (the practice of structuring your website by main areas of interest to demonstrate authority in those areas) is a no-go. The good news is that there are workarounds, such as using the expandable div to include descriptions and additional imagery.

Additionally, a growing brand should avoid using a single page website because of its limited potential to scale. As we’ve already seen, single page websites tend to have a narrow focus and are therefore not well-suited for websites that require large, complex, and/or varied use of content. So even if you’re operating a small site, consider where you’ll be some years down the line and keep that in mind when choosing between single and multi-page design.

Finally, consider the fact that you’ll only have one URL to work with. This might not seem like too big a problem, but how about when you want to share something on your site with the social media community or track a link in Google Analytics? Every link counts!

Whatever you want to achieve with your website, a website designer will often know the most effective way to execute it. Also, check Jpress if you’re looking for one.