You've probably seen them. Sleek, scrolling websites where everything lives on a single page. No clicking through menus. No hunting for information. Just scroll down and there it is.
One page websites have become popular with small businesses, freelancers, and therapists. They look modern. They're quick to build. And they're often cheaper than multi-page sites.
But are they actually right for your business?
Let's look at when a one page website makes sense — and when you might need something more.
What Is a One Page Website?
Exactly what it sounds like. Instead of separate pages for About, Services, Contact, and so on, everything sits on one long page. Visitors scroll through sections rather than clicking between pages.
The navigation menu still exists, but clicking a link just jumps you down the page to that section.
When a One Page Website Works Well
You have a simple offering. If you do one thing — say, you're a massage therapist or a mobile hairdresser — a single page can cover everything a potential client needs to know. Who you are. What you offer. How to book. Done.
You're just starting out. When you're new, you might not have much content yet. No blog posts. No case studies. No extensive service descriptions. A one page site lets you get online quickly without empty pages making your business look sparse.
You want something affordable. One page sites typically cost less to design and build. Less content means less work. If your budget is tight, this can be a sensible starting point.
Your clients mainly find you through referrals. If most people already know about you before they visit your website, they just need basic information and a way to get in touch. A one page site handles that perfectly.
When a One Page Website Falls Short
You offer multiple services. A counsellor who offers individual therapy, couples work, and workplace training has three distinct audiences. Cramming all that onto one page gets messy. Each service deserves its own space.
You want to rank on Google for different searches. Here's the thing about SEO: Google shows individual pages in its results, and each page is a chance to match what someone searched for. A therapist with separate pages for "anxiety counselling Bristol" and "relationship therapy Bristol" has a page written for each of those searches.
With a one page site, you're putting all your eggs in one basket.
You have (or want) a blog. Blogs need their own pages. Each post is a new opportunity to be found on Google. If content marketing is part of your plan, you'll need more than one page.
Your business is growing. What fits on one page today might not fit next year. Adding team members, new services, testimonials, FAQs — it all adds up. Starting with a multi-page structure gives you room to grow.
The SEO Question
This is where many small business owners get stuck.
A one page website can rank on Google. But it's harder to cover several different searches well on a single page, and you have less room for the detailed, helpful content that answers people's questions.
If being found on Google matters to your business — and for most service businesses, it does — a multi-page site gives you more options.
That said, a one page site that actually exists beats a multi-page site you never get around to building. Something is better than nothing.
What About Cost?
A one page site usually takes less time to build, so it often costs less. But the gap between one page and a small multi-page site is often smaller than people expect, so ask any designer to quote for both.
The bigger cost difference comes later. Adding pages to a one page site often means restructuring the whole thing. Starting with a flexible multi-page setup means you can add content without a redesign.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you decide, think about:
- Do I offer one service or several?
- Do my clients search for me on Google, or do they already know my name?
- Will I want to add content over time?
- Is this a temporary solution or a long-term home?
If you answered "one service, referrals, no blog plans, just need something now" — a one page site could be perfect.
If you answered "multiple services, want to be found on Google, planning to grow" — consider starting with multiple pages.
The Middle Ground
Some businesses start with a one page site and upgrade later. That's fine. Just know that "later" often means paying again for design work.
Others start with a simple multi-page site — maybe just four or five pages — that can grow with them. This can cost a little more upfront but may save money down the line.
What Matters Most
Honestly? Having a website that clearly explains what you do and makes it easy to contact you. That matters more than how many pages it has.
A confusing five-page website won't serve you better than a clear one-page site. And a beautiful one-page site won't help if nobody can find it.
Think about your clients. What do they need to know? How do they find you? Start there.
Want a website that's built for you and then kept up for you? Elite Rose Digital sets up websites for small UK businesses from £249, then looks after them from £49 a month (12-month minimum). Tell us what you need at eliterose.digital.