Attention spans are fast shrinking; some studies suggest it is close to 8 seconds for an average adult. So, when it comes to website design, simplicity is key. This is where one-page websites come in. They offer a clean, concise, and user-friendly way to present information about your business, project, or yourself.

One page website guides visitors through all the essential details on a single, scrollable page. One-page websites do away with complex navigation menus and multiple pages, making it easier for visitors to find what they're looking for and keeping them engaged.

Whether you're a creative or a small business owner looking to showcase your portfolio, a one-page website can be a powerful tool to establish your online presence and achieve your goals. In this blog, we'll dive deeper into the world of one-page websites, explore their advantages, one-page website examples, and guide you through the process of creating your own.

What is a One Page Website?

A one-page website, as the name suggests, presents all its content on a single, vertically scrolling web page. Unlike traditional multi-page websites with separate pages for different sections (like "About Us," "Services," and "Contact"), a one-page website seamlessly integrates all this information into a continuous flow.

This approach allows for greater control over the user experience, guiding visitors through the content in the desired order. With the rise of mobile browsing, one-page websites have become increasingly popular due to their user-friendly nature and seamless navigation on smaller screens.

What are the benefits of one-page websites

One-page websites offer several advantages over traditional multi-page websites.

Simplicity and Focus: By condensing all essential information onto a single, scrolling page, one-page websites eliminate the need for complex navigation and multiple page loads, creating a streamlined and focused user experience. This simplicity can be particularly beneficial for short-form content like landing pages, portfolios, and event websites.

Faster Loading Speeds: With fewer pages to load, one-page websites typically offer significantly faster loading times, enhancing user satisfaction and reducing bounce rates.

Enhanced Mobile-Friendliness: The inherently scrollable nature of one-page websites makes them highly mobile-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience across all devices.

Improved Engagement: By presenting content in a continuous flow, one-page websites encourage visitors to explore the entire page, increasing the likelihood of them engaging with your message and taking the desired action (e.g., signing up, making a purchase).

Reduced Development Time and Costs: Creating and maintaining a single page requires less time and resources compared to a multi-page website, resulting in significant cost savings.

Simplified Content Management: Updating and maintaining content is much easier with only one page to manage.

Enhanced Storytelling: One-page websites provide an excellent platform for storytelling. By carefully sequencing content and incorporating visual elements, you can guide visitors through a compelling narrative, whether it's showcasing your brand's story or highlighting a specific product or service.

Improved Conversion Rates: With a clear focus and a single, prominent call-to-action, one-page websites can effectively guide visitors towards a specific goal, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

When a One-Page Website is the Right Choice

If your content is concise and focused, such as for a landing page, online portfolio, or personal website, a single-page design can effectively showcase your information without overwhelming visitors.

A clear and specific goal for your website, like lead generation or driving sales, also aligns well with the focused nature of a one-page site.

The streamlined structure allows you to guide visitors directly towards your desired action.

Time constraints or budget limitations can also make a one-page website a practical choice, as they are generally quicker and less expensive to develop than multi-page sites.

Prioritizing speed and performance is another key factor, as one-page websites often load faster due to their simpler architecture.

Finally, if a mobile-friendly and user-friendly experience is paramount, the inherently responsive design of one-page websites makes them an excellent option.

How to create a one-page website + actionable tips

1. Set your goals and understand your audience

Establish a clear understanding of your objectives and target audience. This foundational step will guide your design and content creation process, ensuring that your website effectively serves its intended purpose.

Begin by asking yourself some fundamental questions. What is the primary goal of your website? Are you aiming to generate sales, promote your services, share your portfolio, or simply establish an online presence? Identifying your "why" will provide direction for all subsequent decisions.

Equally important is defining your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your website? Understanding their demographics, interests, and needs will enable you to tailor your content and design to resonate with them effectively.

Consider what information they are looking for and how you can present it in a way that is both engaging and accessible. This audience-centric approach will significantly enhance the user experience and increase the likelihood of achieving your website's goals.

Finally, clarify what you want to achieve with your website. What specific actions do you want visitors to take? Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, requesting a quote, or making a purchase, defining your desired outcomes will help you design a website that effectively converts visitors into customers or leads. 

2. Choose a one-page website template

Choose a website template containing pre-built elements crucial for effective one-page websites. These include features like a fixed navigation menu, social media links, and informative footers, all arranged in clear sections.

Integrate your unique brand identity throughout the website. Maintain consistency by leveraging your logo, typography choices, and color palette as defined in your branding guidelines.

Examples of one-page website templates in Pixpa:

Radius is an excellent one-page website template designed for simplicity and elegance. It caters primarily to creative professionals and small businesses. With minimal effort, you can create a sleek, professional-looking online presence.

The template emphasizes visual content, allowing for beautiful galleries and image-heavy pages, making it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to display their work effectively.

Pixpa's Revel is another single-page template option for creative professionals like photographers and artists. This template is designed to showcase portfolios, projects, or collections in a striking and organized manner.

Revel focuses on providing a visually compelling layout that highlights images and creative works through a clean, minimalist design. The Revel template offers full-screen slideshows, grid-based image galleries, and customizable pages for a personalized look and feel.

Pixpa's Super template is a dynamic and customizable option for creatives and small businesses. It features a bold, flexible layout perfect for showcasing portfolios, services, and selling products. With responsive design, e-commerce integration, and SEO optimization, Super offers a comprehensive solution for building a unique and professional online presence.

Pixpa's Exposure template is designed for UI/UX designers. It focuses on showcasing images in a clean, minimalist layout. It's ideal for creating impactful photo essays and portfolios, offering a full-screen view highlighting visual content.

With its emphasis on simplicity and visual clarity, Exposure enables creatives to tell their stories or present their work compellingly and engagingly.

Pixpa's Oreo template offers a sleek and modern design ideal for models and actors seeking to showcase their portfolio. It focuses on solid visuals and easy navigation, making it perfect for models to display their work elegantly.

3. Make navigation easier

Since one-page sites eschew traditional page hierarchies, navigation typically relies on anchor links. These links, usually found in a menu at the top of the page, smoothly scroll users to different sections within the single page itself.

This "flat architecture" simplifies navigation, eliminating the need for users to click through multiple pages and minimizing the risk of them getting lost or overwhelmed.

By allowing visitors to effortlessly scroll from one section to another, whether it's from features to pricing or testimonials to contact information, you encourage them to explore more of your content and ultimately take the desired action. This streamlined approach can significantly boost user engagement and potentially lower bounce rates.

Another helpful navigation feature for one-page websites is a "back-to-top" button. This button, often fixed in a corner of the screen, allows users to quickly return to the top of the page with a single click.

This is particularly useful for longer one-page websites, as it prevents users from having to scroll manually back to the top, encouraging them to continue exploring the content beyond their initial view.

Kris Patrick is a lifestyle, wedding, and portrait photographer based in Belgium. The portfolio has a clean and minimalist design, focusing mainly on his photography skills and style. It provides a gallery of the best samples in a grid layout with subtle transitions on hover to make photo viewing an engaging and immersive experience.

It also focuses on showcasing fewer sections, such as a gallery, services, and a contact form, to guide viewers through exploring quickly, deciding, and taking action.

Explore more one-page website examples built using Pixpa

4. Plan your content structure

A well-defined content structure is crucial for the success of a one-page website. It's essential to prioritize key messages and place them strategically "above the fold" to capture visitors' attention immediately. The subsequent sections should then flow logically, building upon the initial information and progressively revealing more details.

Consider the ‘cone principle’ for structuring your content. This approach emphasizes placing the most critical information at the top of the page, where user attention is highest.

Imagine a cone narrowing downwards: the wider top section presents your website's core function and unique value proposition, while subsequent sections dive deeper into specific details without overwhelming the viewer. This ensures visitors quickly grasp the essence of your website and are encouraged to explore further.

While the specific content will vary depending on your website's purpose, two fundamental elements are universally necessary: an About Us section and readily accessible contact information.

Beyond these essentials, tailor your content to your target audience and their needs. Consider incorporating sections like:

• Value Proposition: Clearly articulate what you offer and what sets you apart, focusing on how you meet your visitors' needs.

• Meet the Team: Introduce your team to build trust and showcase expertise.

• Services & Products: Present your core offerings concisely and clearly.

• Testimonials: Include customer testimonials to establish credibility.

• FAQs: Address common questions to demonstrate your understanding and provide helpful information.

5. Focus on solid content and the right messaging

Your one-page website should function like a storefront window, carefully curated to attract and engage your target audience. Every element, from the text to the images, should contribute to a cohesive and compelling message.

A travel blogger specializing in the Caribbean, for example, might center their messaging around a clear theme like "Explore the Caribbean Islands Through My Eyes." Every piece of content, whether a short paragraph or a stunning photograph, should reinforce this central theme, inviting visitors to experience the blogger's unique perspective and journey through the Caribbean.

6. Use animations and subtle transitions

Incorporating subtle animations and transitions can significantly enhance the user experience on your one-page website.

Just as a photographer might use gentle fade-in effects to showcase their portfolio as visitors scroll, strategic visual elements can add a touch of dynamism and keep users engaged.

These animations can draw attention to key elements, create a sense of flow, and make the overall browsing experience more enjoyable. However, it's important to use animations sparingly and purposefully, ensuring they complement the content rather than distracting from it.

Arrowood Design is an interior design agency based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their Pixpa-powered single-page website has a large image in the hero section, which reflects what Arrowood Design specializes in. A beautiful painting of two owls on the wall, a sofa, and a table lamp give the space a cozy feel and make visitors want to explore their interior design style more.

As you scroll through, the static images of interiors in the background and the information about their services have an immersive feel. The gallery of projects, in grid format, showcases beautiful interiors and has subtle color transitions as you hover over them.

7. Incorporate multimedia elements

Humans are visually driven, and 65% of us learn best through images and videos. To capture your audience and avoid text fatigue, incorporate engaging visuals. Enrich your writing with photos, videos, and slideshows.

Humans are inherently visual creatures, with a significant portion of the population (65% according to a survey) learning most effectively through images and videos.

To grab the attention of your audience and prevent text fatigue, integrating multimedia elements is essential. Don't just rely on text; enrich your content with high-quality photos, videos, and slideshows.

These visuals not only grab attention but also complement and enhance your narrative, making your message more impactful and easier to understand.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and in the context of a one-page website, this holds particularly true. Strategic use of multimedia can significantly boost user engagement and create a more immersive and memorable experience.

Melardz Vee is a graphic and multimedia artist. As a certified freediver and underwater photographer, he has focused more on capturing underwater media. His portfolio showcases a gallery of breathtaking underwater photos and videos in grid format. These photos have subtle transitions that engage the viewer.

The portfolio also includes sections for a short biography and services offered to help potential clients understand what to expect. A dedicated section on a photo contest that he won proves his mettle and helps in decision-making for the visitors. A contact form and social icons enable us to reach out.

8. Focus on typography

Legibility is paramount for any website, and a one-page site is no exception. Poor readability can lead to high bounce rates, as visitors quickly become frustrated and leave.

Therefore, careful consideration of typography is essential. Choosing the right font is crucial, and it should resonate with your target audience.

Consider their demographics and preferences when selecting a typeface that not only complements your brand but also ensures clear and comfortable reading. A well-chosen font enhances readability and keeps visitors engaged with your content.

Studio 2112 is a marketing communications agency based in Moscow and Los Angeles. Their Pixpa-powered website has a striking visual appeal when you land, with bold typography and stunning slideshows of high-quality images in the hero section. They specialize in event marketing, corporate communications, and integrated brand design, which is evident in their clear messaging in the hero section.

The portfolio is showcased in grid format, with subtle zoom-ins and zoom-outs when you hover. It is linked to different projects and makes it easy to explore. It leverages Pixpa’s logo showcase to assert credibility by showcasing a list of prominent clients such as Disney, Pepsi, and Bosch.

9. Focus on color scheme

Color is a powerful tool in web design, and its impact should never be underestimated. Choosing the right color scheme is crucial for creating a visually appealing and effective one-page website.

Your color palette should harmonize with your logo, reflecting your brand identity and aligning with current design trends. A cohesive and well-chosen color scheme not only grabs attention but also elevates your website, setting it apart from the ordinary and contributing to a professional and polished look.

10. Have a clear call to action

Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, requesting a quote, or booking a service, a strong CTA is vital for converting visitors into leads or customers.

Make your CTA prominent and easily visible, ideally placing it "above the fold" so visitors see it immediately. It's also beneficial to link your CTA to a relevant section on your one-page website using anchor links.

For example, a "Contact Me" CTA could seamlessly scroll users to your dedicated "Contact" section. This streamlined connection simplifies the process and encourages visitors to take the next step. By prioritizing a clear and actionable CTA, you transform passive browsing into active engagement, driving positive results for your website and your business.

11. Add social media accounts

Add a social bar featuring icons for your active social media channels, allowing visitors to connect with you on their preferred platforms with a single click. Also, you can connect your social media feed to your one-page site for a seamless brand experience.

12. Focus on footer

The footer of your one-page website serves as a valuable resource for visitors seeking essential information. Think of it as the base camp, providing key details at a glance.

It's crucial to include up-to-date contact information, making it easy for visitors to reach you. Social media links should also be prominently displayed, encouraging visitors to connect with you on their preferred platforms.

If applicable, clearly state your business hours. For transparency and legal compliance, include links to essential legal documents, such as your privacy policy and terms & conditions. If you have a physical location, embedding a map in the footer can be particularly helpful for local visitors.

13. Focus on SEO

A key first step is ensuring your website is indexed by Google. Beyond indexing, keyword research is essential. Identify relevant keywords that your target audience is likely to use when searching for products or services like yours.

Strategically incorporating these keywords into your website content helps your site appear in search results when people search for those terms. This targeted approach drives organic traffic to your website, boosting your online presence and reaching a wider audience.

14. Make it mobile-friendly

Search engines like Google prioritize mobile-first indexing, meaning they primarily use the mobile version of a website for indexing and ranking.

Therefore, ensuring your one-page website is fully mobile-friendly is essential for both user experience and search engine visibility. Your website must deliver a seamless and optimized experience across all devices, particularly smartphones.

Prioritizing mobile optimization not only earns favor with users but also significantly improves your chances of ranking well in search results.

15. Focus on website loading speed

Visitors are impatient and will quickly abandon a website that takes too long to load.

Therefore, ensuring your one-page website loads lightning-fast is essential. This includes optimizing high-resolution images so they load quickly without sacrificing visual quality.

A fast and seamless browsing experience is crucial for keeping visitors engaged and preventing them from clicking away in frustration.

16. Refresh your content

Regularly update your content with new information, insights, or perspectives to keep your audience engaged and returning for more.

Implement blog posts, news updates, or rotating case studies to showcase your ongoing activity and spark audience interest in revisiting.

17. Implement feedback mechanisms

Welcome feedback through a user-friendly form. This two-way communication builds trust, fosters community, and keeps visitors engaged, turning them into fans.

Benefits of a one-page website

Building a one-page website means consolidating your essential data into a single home page. The benefits of one-page websites are:

Easy to launch

If you plan to launch a new brand, you’ll likely work feverishly behind the scenes to ensure your full-scale site is ready. A single-page website is often the ideal placeholder site for a brand.

Better user experience

• Create a faster website (because you don’t need multiple pages or a complicated site architecture). Adobe reports that 39% of visitors will stop engaging with your website content if it takes too long to load.

• Present content in an easy-to-understand way and avoid overwhelming visitors.

• Create a seamless and unified user experience by avoiding complicated navigation, minimizing clicks, and eliminating the need to load multiple pages. Poor UX makes 88% of users less likely to return.

• Create an engaging storytelling website by taking visitors through a particular sequence or narrative (for example, a product story, a personal journey, etc.).

• Create creative designs with parallax scrolling, dynamic animations, and eye-catching transitions.

Mobile-friendly

Make your site mobile-friendly. Single-page website layouts are inherently mobile-responsive because they scroll.

More and more people use mobile phones and other portable devices to surf the web. According to Exploding Topics, the average person spends 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phone daily. Statista confirms that most global website visits come from mobile users.

A single-page website makes perfect sense if you want to reach as many people as possible and target mobile users or people who are always on the move. It can simplify the process, reduce bounce rates, and keep visitors on your site longer.

Better engagement and conversion rates

• Increase conversion rates by using targeted messaging and a single CTA.

• Create content in a consistent format to increase the chance that visitors will consume all of the content and drive engagement rates.

• Reduce bounce rates by providing visitors with a single page to discover.

Easy to manage

• Make content revision, update, and maintenance easy with a single page.

• Because you’re only directing users to a single page on your website, you’ll also benefit from simplified data and analytics because you’ll only get information from one page at a time.

Cost-effective

If you’re hiring someone or a team to build your website, a single page is often much less expensive than a full-page website. Save money on design and development (which often means saving time during development and maintenance).

Better SEO performance

If rankings are essential to you, it might be time to consider a one-page site design or template, depending on your site’s purpose and objectives. One-page sites may sometimes increase link authority in the top search engines like Google, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, and Bing.

Since all the information you want to share is on one page of your website, you can also reduce the time it takes your site to be practically crawled and indexed on different search engines.

By having a single-page site in place, you ensure Google has crawled and indexed your site at least in time for your brand to launch. You don’t want your brand (or website) to launch without being indexed on Google. This could be disastrous, as your website could lose valuable clicks on the day of your brand launch.

Building backlinks towards a one-page site is generally more challenging. That’s undoubtedly true. But one of the benefits of a single-page site is that you’re less susceptible to PageRank dilution.

One-page websites vs multi-page websites: When to choose each

Not every website needs endless pages. Consider a one-page option if:

• Content is minimal or tightly linked: Perfect for portfolios, small businesses, landing pages, or personal websites.

• Clear goal in mind: Guide users directly toward your desired action.

• Efficiency is critical: Quick to build, mobile-friendly, and faster loading.

• Content fits neatly: All information is presented concisely on one page.

Do not opt for one-page websites if:

• Information overload: Complex sites with vast content need breathing room.

• Confusing navigation: Multiple pathways might overwhelm visitors.

• SEO challenges: Search engines can favor multi-page structures, but one-page websites can stay free from PageRank dilution.

Ideal industries for one-page websites

Following are the industries one-page websites are perfect for:

• Mobile Apps: Highlight your app's features and benefits in a concise, mobile-friendly format.

• Portfolios: Showcase your best work seamlessly, engaging viewers without overwhelming them.

• Galleries: Create a global marketplace for artists and vendors, quickly connecting them with potential buyers.

• Agencies: Attract clients quickly with a clear and focused presentation of your services and expertise.

• Local Businesses: Boost local SEO and attract new customers with a website that's easy to navigate and optimized for local search.

Example use cases for one-page websites

Local businesses, such as spas and bakeries, can effectively showcase their services, hours, and contact information in a concise and easily digestible format. For event information, whether it's a wedding, conference, or workshop, a one-page site can present key details like venue, agenda, and RSVP options in a single, accessible view.

Creatives and professionals also benefit greatly. Artists and photographers can exhibit their best work in a virtual gallery, guiding visitors seamlessly through their portfolio.

Consultants and speakers can concisely highlight their bio, services, client feedback, and contact details. Even resumes and CVs can be transformed into dynamic online versions, showcasing qualifications, experience, and endorsements.

Product launches can effectively highlight features, benefits, and testimonials without distractions. Landing pages can deliver targeted messages with precision, preventing visitors from wandering off. "Coming soon" pages can generate initial interest with a brief overview and a subscription option for updates. Authors can spotlight their books with dedicated sites featuring synopses, reviews, and purchase links.

Blog starters can introduce themselves and feature key topics before expanding into a full-fledged blog. Freelancers can showcase their skills, standout projects, and contact details for potential clients.

Online workshops can detail course content, instructor profiles, student testimonials, and registration information.

Art galleries can display select pieces, upcoming exhibitions, and commission details.

Even newsletter sign-ups can benefit from a dedicated one-page site with clear CTAs and a compelling presentation of the benefits of subscribing.

FAQs

What is a one-page website?

A one-page website features all its content on a single HTML page, allowing users to navigate through different sections by scrolling or using jump links. It is ideal for portfolios and small businesses for a streamlined user experience.

Can I make a one-page website for free?

You can create a free one-page website by signing up for Pixpa’s 15-day trial. However, considering an all-inclusive, affordable paid plan by Pixpa may be beneficial for a more professional look with advanced features.

How do I make a single-page website?

To create a single-page website, choose a reliable no-code website builder like Pixpa, select a one-page template of your choice, customize the design and layout to suit your content, and organize your content into clearly defined sections for easy navigation.

How much is the cost of a one-page website?

You can start creating your one-page website for as low as $3.60 per month on Pixpa.

Can a website be just one page?

A website can effectively be just one page, particularly suitable for showcasing a portfolio, a single product, or an event. One-page websites focus on delivering a concise and engaging user experience.

Is a one-page website professional?

Yes, a one-page website can be very professional. With a well-designed layout and quality content, one-page websites can provide a powerful and professional online presence for individuals, freelancers, and small businesses.

Are one-page websites good?

One-page websites are excellent for specific purposes. They offer an intuitive and engaging user experience, perfect for storytelling, portfolios, and promotional pages. They streamline information presentation and are mobile-friendly.

How do you take care of one-page website SEO?

For one-page website SEO, Pixpa’s built-in SEO helps you optimize your content with relevant keywords, ensure fast loading times, and create an engaging user experience to reduce bounce rates.

How can I promote my one-page website?

Promote your one-page website by leveraging social media platforms, engaging in online communities related to your field, utilizing email marketing to reach your audience, and considering paid advertising for broader exposure. Networking and SEO optimization are also vital strategies.