One-Pager vs. Multi-Page Website: What Is Right for You?
One-pager or traditional website? Pros and cons, when each solution makes sense and what you should consider.
One-Pager vs. Multi-Page Website: What Do You Really Need?
"Do I need a big website or is a single page enough?"
I hear this question constantly from freelancers and small businesses.
The answer is - as so often: It depends.
In this article, I'll show you exactly when a one-pager makes sense and when you're better off with a multi-page website.
What is a One-Pager?
A one-pager is a website consisting of just one single page.
Instead of multiple pages:
Everything on one page:
Visitors scroll down and find all information sequentially.
Typical Structure of a One-Pager
From top to bottom:
1. Header - Logo, navigation (jumps to sections)
2. Hero section - Main message, call-to-action
3. About us - Brief introduction
4. Services/Products - What you offer
5. Benefits/Features - Why you?
6. References/Reviews - Social proof
7. Contact - Form, contact details
8. Footer - Imprint, links
Navigation:
Click on menu → Page scrolls to corresponding section
Advantages of One-Pagers
1. Simplicity and Focus
For you:
For visitors:
Ideal for:
2. Cheaper and Faster
Costs:
Implementation time:
Why cheaper:
3. Mobile-Friendly
One-pagers are perfect for smartphone users:
Statistic:
60-70% of your visitors come from smartphones - one-pagers play to this strength.
4. Storytelling
A one-pager guides visitors through a story:
Example photographer:
1. "Looking for unique wedding photos?"
2. "This is me and how I work"
3. "These are my services"
4. "This is what my customers say"
5. "Let's make your wedding unforgettable"
Each section builds on the previous one.
5. High Conversion Rate
Less distraction = more focus on your goal
Why:
Good for:
Disadvantages of One-Pagers
1. SEO Limitations
The problem:
Google ranks pages, not websites.
With multi-page website:
With one-pager:
Consequence:
One-pagers rank worse in search engines.
Exception:
If you generate traffic through other channels (social media, advertising, word of mouth), SEO is less important.
More about SEO in our [SEO guide for SMEs](/de/seo-fuer-kmu).
2. Limited Scalability
You're growing.
With one-pager:
Page gets longer and longer → confusing
Example:
You start with 3 services. After 2 years you have 15.
→ One-pager doesn't work anymore
3. Less Detail Depth
The problem:
Limited space = superficial information
With multi-page website:
With one-pager:
Everything must be short and snappy.
Disadvantage:
Difficult for products/services that need explanation.
4. Technical Limits
Longer loading times:
Load all content at once → can be slow
Navigation:
Very long one-pagers make scrolling tedious
Tracking:
Harder to measure which section performs best
5. Not Suitable for All Industries
Bad for:
Advantages of Multi-Page Websites
1. Better SEO
Each page can rank for different keywords:
Example IT service provider:
Result:
More entry points from Google.
2. More Structure and Overview
Clear separation:
Visitors find faster:
Jump directly to relevant page, not scroll through everything.
3. Detailed Information
Space for:
Advantage:
You can explain complex topics.
4. Better Content Strategy
Blog integration:
Content types:
Long-term advantage:
More content = more Google rankings = more visitors
5. More Professional Impression
For established companies, a comprehensive website appears more serious:
Disadvantages of Multi-Page Websites
1. Higher Costs
Development: €2,000-5,000 vs. €800-1,500 Maintenance: More pages = more to maintain Content: More texts, more images
2. Longer Implementation
4-8 weeks instead of 1-3 weeks
Why:
3. More Maintenance Needed
Ongoing:
Time investment:
2-4 hours/month vs. 30 minutes for one-pager
4. Risk of Getting Lost
Danger:
Solution:
Clear structure and well-thought-out navigation
More in our guide to [successful business websites](/de/webdesign-oesterreich).
When is a One-Pager the Right Choice?
Perfect for:
1. Start-ups & New Businesses
2. Single Products/Services
3. Events & Campaigns
4. Portfolio Websites
5. Landing Pages
6. Local Service Providers with Simple Offering
Practical Examples for One-Pagers
Example 1: Yoga Teacher
Example 2: Product Launch
Example 3: Wedding Photographer
When Do You Need a Multi-Page Website?
Necessary for:
1. Established Companies
2. Long-term Content Strategy
3. Multiple Products/Services
4. B2B Companies
5. SEO as Main Traffic Source
6. Scaling Planned
Practical Examples for Multi-Page Websites
Example 1: IT Service Provider
Example 2: Tax Consultancy
Example 3: Craftsman Business
More at [Web Design for SMEs](/de/webdesign-fuer-kmu).
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Solution:
Start with one-pager, expand later.
Phase 1: One-Pager (Month 1)
Phase 2: Expansion (Month 6-12)
Advantage:
Technically:
Modern CMS (WordPress, etc.) enables easy expansion.
Decision Aid: 5 Questions
Answer these questions:
1. How many main services do you offer?
2. How important is SEO for you?
3. Do you plan to create content regularly?
4. How much explanation does your offering need?
5. What's your budget?
Technical Considerations
Performance
One-pager:
Multi-page:
Maintenance
One-pager:
Multi-page:
Expandability
One-pager:
Multi-page:
Cost Comparison
One-Pager
Development:
Ongoing:
Total year 1: €1,000-2,500
Multi-Page Website
Development:
Ongoing:
Total year 1: €3,500-8,000
One-pager savings: €2,500-5,500 in first year
More details on [website costs](/de/pricing).
My Recommendation
Start with One-Pager if:
Invest in Multi-Page Website if:
Hybrid Approach if:
Conclusion: Success is Plannable
There's no "right" or "wrong" - only "suitable" or "unsuitable".
One-pagers are perfect for:
Focused, simple offerings with clear goal and limited budget.
Multi-page websites are necessary for:
Complex offerings, SEO strategies and long-term growth.
The most important question:
What does your business need now?
How I Support You
As a web designer in Salzburg, I honestly advise you which solution fits - not the most expensive, but the right one.
My Offer
One-pager: from €1,200
Multi-page website: from €2,800
Free consultation:
Together we analyze what you really need.
Contact:
📧 info@amadeuswebdesign.com
📱 +43 650 7964955
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*Written for founders and entrepreneurs in Salzburg and Austria | December 2025*
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