You've decided you need a website. Great! Now comes the first big decision: should you get a one-page website or a multi-page website?
It's not an obvious choice. Both options can work beautifully—but they serve different purposes. The right choice depends on your business, your goals, and how much information you need to share.
Let me walk you through the differences, the pros and cons, and help you decide which is right for you.
A one-page website does exactly what it sounds like: all your content lives on a single, scrolling page. Visitors scroll down to see your introduction, services, about section, testimonials, and contact information—all in one continuous flow.
Think of it like a digital business card or brochure:
A multi-page website has separate pages for different types of content. You might have a Home page, Services page, About page, Portfolio page, Blog, and Contact page—each with its own URL.
Think of it like a store with different departments:
Quick Analogy:
A one-page website is like a food truck menu—everything fits on one board, simple and direct. A multi-page website is like a restaurant menu—appetizers, mains, desserts, drinks, each on their own page or section.
| Feature | One-Page | Multi-Page |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Simple businesses, startups | Complex businesses with lots to say |
| Navigation | Scrolling (simple) | Menus and links (structured) |
| Content depth | Limited (everything on one page) | Unlimited (dedicated pages) |
| SEO potential | Good for a few keywords | Excellent for many keywords |
| Launch speed | Very fast (3-5 days) | 1-2 weeks |
| Cost | $600 – $1,200 | $1,500 – $4,000+ |
A one-page website might be right for you if:
Examples of businesses that work well with one-page:
A multi-page website might be right for you if:
Examples of businesses that work well with multi-page:
This is often the deciding factor. Here's how SEO (search engine optimization) differs between the two:
One-Page SEO:
Your entire website focuses on a handful of keywords. If you're an electrician in Edmonton, you can optimize for "electrician Edmonton" and maybe a few related terms. That's it.
Multi-Page SEO:
Each page can target different keywords. You could have:
That's 5+ opportunities to show up in Google searches instead of just one.
Absolutely. Many businesses start with a one-page website to get online quickly and affordably. As they grow, they upgrade to a multi-page site with more features and better SEO.
I design all my websites with future growth in mind, so upgrading is smooth and cost-effective.
That's what the Visibility Report is for. For $100, I'll review your business, your goals, and your competition—and give you a clear recommendation on which option is right for you.
Whether you're leaning toward one-page or multi-page, I'm here to help. Let's talk about your business and find the perfect solution.
Freelance web designer helping small businesses across Canada get found online. I build modern, mobile-friendly websites that attract customers.
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