If you’re a web developer or web designer then you will be familiar with one of the biggest modern web design debates: single page vs multi page websites. This debate has been raging for a few years now, and there are pros and cons for both sides of the argument.
In this article I’m going to walk through a few of the reasons why you might decide to use a single-page website. I’ll look closely at things like design features, your individual needs, and a range of other factors.
When Are Single Page Websites Useful?
Basically, single page websites are usually used by those who don’t have a lot of information to present, or who want to present a significant amount of information in a logical sequence. Some of the most popular uses for single page websites include:
- As product landing pages, where a range of information is presented in a logical sequence, broken up by call to action buttons or sections.
- As small business websites when you don’t have a lot of information to present. It’s more than possible to include small “about”, “services”, and “contact” sections within one single page design.
- For portfolios, when the main purpose of your website is showcasing your work. Single page designs are great for this because they are simple and allow people to focus on your work.
As you can see, there are plenty of different uses for single page websites. However, it can still be hard to decide whether to use one or not.
How Do I Decide If A Single Page Site Is Right For Me?
Ultimately, there are a number of factors that will determine whether or not a single page website is suitable for you and your needs. A few of the things that you should consider include:
How much content you have – Really, if you’ve got more than a few hundred words of written content or a lot of different sections, you should be using a multi-page site. Single page websites are great for those who want to present a small amount of content in an efficient manner.
Whether your site will grow over time – Single page websites aren’t generally a good choice for those who want to continue adding content over time. The exception here is portfolio sites, but even these can become confusing if you’ve got too much work to showcase.
What the best way to present your content will be – If you want to be able to direct people to different sections of your website, then a multi-page design will probably be your best choice. However, if you want to present information in a logical sequence, then you might consider a single page website.
Final Word
There’s a reason why single page websites are so popular – ultimately, they work. However, they certainly aren’t for everyone, which means that it’s very important to take your exact needs into account before you decide what sort of design you’re going to use.
Good luck!