One Page Website Design: Pros, Cons & Real-World Examples

Introduction

You’ve got one chance to make an impression.

So the question is: Do you need more than a single page to do it?

For some businesses, a one page website is the perfect solution.

For others, it creates more problems than it solves.

Here’s how to know which path is right for you — and how to design a single page homepage that performs.

What is a One Page Website?

A one-page website is a site where all content is on one scrollable page. People also call it a 1-page site or single-page web page.

No traditional site structure with multiple URLs or deep menus exists.

Instead, each section — from hero to CTA — flows vertically, creating a linear experience.

This format is often used for:

• Landing pages
• Portfolio showcases
• Startup MVPs
• Event pages
• Product launches

Benefits of a One Page Website

Let’s explore what makes single page sites such a smart starting point — especially for startups and creatives.

1. Simplicity

One scroll. One journey. One objective.

This structure forces you to focus on the essentials — no room for fluff.

2. Speed of Deployment

A website 1 page setup can be launched in hours, not weeks. Tools like Carrd or Framer allow non-technical users to publish a branded site with zero code.

3. Mobile-First Experience

Most traffic today comes from mobile devices. One page sites load quickly and are easy to navigate on smaller screens, which improves both UX and SEO.

4. Cost-Effective

Fewer sections mean less content, design, and dev work.

If you’re bootstrapped, a page website template can save you hours of design time and hundreds in development costs.

Limitations of a One Page Website

That simplicity comes with trade-offs.

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1. Limited SEO Reach

With only one URL, ranking for multiple search terms is difficult. You can still optimize a one page web page, but not at the same scale as a multi-page setup.

2. Growth Bottlenecks

As your business expands, you may outgrow the layout. Adding a blog, support center, or multiple offers quickly clutters the single-page format.

3. Analytics & Funnel Tracking

Tracking behavior across sections (e.g. drop-off rates before the CTA) is harder without page-level separation. This limits how granular you can get with data.

4. Navigation Limitations

You can use anchor links like #pricing or #about. However, they do not provide the same clarity or control as a full navigation menu.

When One Page Works  and When It Doesn’t

Here’s how to know whether you should stick to one page or consider something more scalable.

Use a One Page Website If:

• You have one offer and one target audience
• You’re pre-launch or validating a product
• Your sales cycle is short (like contact forms or demo requests)
• You need a landing page for ad traffic or social media bios

Avoid It If:

• You offer multiple services or customer journeys
• You want to build a long-term search engine optimization strategy
• You plan to publish blog content or updates regularly
• Your product or service requires explanation across several steps

Eventually, many businesses migrate to a multi page website to scale their message and content.

How to Structure a High-converting One Page Website

If you choose the one page route, the layout must guide visitors to take action — quickly and clearly.

Here’s a proven layout:

1. Headline Section

Introduce what you offer and why it matters.

Keep the value proposition front and center.

2. Benefits + Features

Break this into chunks. Use icon blocks or visuals to make it easier to scan.

3. Social Proof

Instead of traditional success stories, use:

• Customer logos
• Quotes from users
• Metrics (e.g. “10,000+ downloads”)

4. CTA #1

Insert your first call to action here. “Book a demo,” “Start your trial,” or “Let’s talk.”

5. About or Background

Brief intro to your brand or team. Keep it human, short, and relevant.

6. Pricing or Offer

Make your pricing simple, if applicable. A short grid or toggle is enough.

7. CTA #2

Repeat your offer with slightly different wording. Keep the focus on next steps.

8. FAQ Section

Address objections and include keyword-rich questions (great for SEO!).

SEO Tips for One Page Sites

Here’s how to boost visibility, even with just one page:

• Use one H1 and break sections with H2/H3 tags
• Use jump links (#cta, #features, etc.) for navigation and for google to read your website easier
• Add descriptive alt text for all visuals (e.g. “responsive single page homepage example”)
• Write a clear meta title and meta description
• Include external links to helpful resources with relevance
• Add internal links back to your blog or homepage if applicable
• Consider adding structured data (Schema) for things like services, FAQs, or organization info

And of course — promote your one pager via social media to drive direct traffic. A well-performing page still needs visibility.

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Real-World Examples of One Page Websites

These sites do it right — and show what’s possible with great structure, clarity, and design:

Awwwards Single-Page Website Inspiration

Collection of the best and most inspiring websites out there, This link will send you to their one page website collection, but they have many other interesting things, so it's worth sticking around and exploring their website.

One Page Love Gallery

A curated collection of high-performing single page websites. Great for inspiration across industries.

Designjoy.co

Our personal favorite. One page website for a design agency example.

These are proof that when done right, one page websites don’t just look good — they convert

Tools to Build One Page Sites (Fast)

You don’t need a custom development team. These tools make it easy to build your own single page site:

• Webflow – High design flexibility, great for animations. At Weblayer we specialize in Webflow. and it is our favourite!
• Framer – Modern builder with fast load speeds
• Carrd – Lightweight and affordable, ideal for MVPs
• Wix – Easy drag-and-drop for any skill level
• Elementor (WordPress) – Full control with WordPress SEO power

Many come with one page website templates to help you move faster with structure that works.

Should You Start One Page and Expand Later?

Yes — and many businesses do.

Starting with a one site page lets you:

• Launch fast
• Test your positioning
• Focus on conversions

As your audience grows and your strategy changes, it’s easy to turn your site into a multi-page website. You can keep the same visual style and content.

Just make sure your platform (like Webflow or WordPress) allows for that growth. Or higher us ;)

Final Thoughts

A one page website is more than just a trendy layout — it’s a focused, strategic way to present your message.

Use one when:

• You have one core offer
• Speed to launch matters
• You’re targeting conversions, not content

Avoid it when:

• Your marketing depends on SEO depth
• You need content variety
• You’re building a site to scale long term

If in doubt? Start with a one page web page.

Launch. Learn. Then grow.

As a business owner there is a lot to worry about, so why not let us design and build your one-page website? 

We build startup websites that do what they're supposed to do. Not just sit there and look pretty. They Explain what you do - fast. They guide users to action. They grow with your product.

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