One Page vs Multi Page Website, I’ve built both for clients in the UK, and the right choice depends on what you’re selling, how customers find you and where you want your business to go in the next 12 months.
In this guide, I’ll break down the pros and cons of each structure and help you decide which website format makes sense for your business goals and budget.
What Is a One-Page Website?
A one-page website displays all your content one single scrolling page. Visitors see your services, about section, testimonials and contact information without clicking to different pages.
Think of it like a digital flyer. Everything is visible in one continuous flow, usually with anchor links in the menu that jump to different sections when clicked.
This structure works perfectly for simple offers such as a personal trainer showcasing three packages, a photographer displaying their portfolio or a consultant explaining their most requested and signature service. If you can explain what you do in five sections or less, a one-page site might suit you best.
What Is a Multi-Page Website?
A multi-page website organises content across separate pages connected through navigation menus. You typically have a home page, individual service pages, an about page, contact page and maybe a blog page.
This structure gives you room to expand. Each service gets its own dedicated page where you can go deep on benefits, pricing, FAQs and case studies.
Multi-page sites work well for businesses with multiple services, products or target audiences. If you serve both small businesses and charities, you can create separate pages tailored to each group’s needs.
One-Page Websites: Pros and Cons
Advantages of One-Page Websites
One-page websites cost less to build because there’s simply less to create. The project typically falls at the lower end of professional website pricing (£1,500 to £2,500) because you’re building one page instead of five or six.
They’re also faster to launch. A one-page website can typically be completed in days or weeks compared to 2 to 4 weeks for a multi-page site, which matters if you need to get online quickly for a product launch or event.
The user experience is simple. Visitors scroll through your story in a logical order without getting lost in navigation menus. For mobile users especially, scrolling feels natural and keeps them engaged with your content.
Disadvantages of One-Page Websites
The biggest limitation is SEO. Google ranks pages, not websites. With only one page, you can realistically target one main keyword. If you’re trying to rank for “wedding photography”, “engagement photography” and “family portraits”, you’ll struggle because all that content competes for attention on one page.
You also can’t build a content strategy. There’s nowhere to add blog posts, case studies or resource guides that bring in organic traffic over time. According to HubSpot’s research, businesses that blog receive 55% more website visitors, but this strategy doesn’t work with a one-page structure.
As your business grows, one-page sites become cluttered. When you add new services, the page gets longer and harder to scan naturally. Eventually, you end up needing a re-design to split content properly anyway.
Multi-Page Websites: Pros and Cons
Advantages of Multi-Page Websites
Multi-page websites give you serious SEO power. Each page can target a different keyword, which means you can rank for multiple search terms. One page targets your main service, blog posts target customer questions and your about page builds brand authority. That’s impossible with a one-page structure.
You can organise complex information clearly. If you offer website design, branding and social media management, each service deserves its own page with detailed pricing, process explanations and relevant testimonials. Cramming all that onto one page creates cognitive overload for visitors.
The scalability is invaluable. When you launch a new service, you add a new page. When you want to start blogging, you add a blog section. The structure grows with your business instead of fighting against it.
Disadvantages of Multi-Page Websites
Multi-page websites cost more upfront because there’s more design and development work involved. The investment ranges from £3,000 to £5,000 for most small business sites, though payment plans can split the cost over 3 to 6 months so you own the site outright with no ongoing subscription fees although, my fees start from £1,500.
Multi-page websites take longer to build. A proper multi-page website usually takes 2 to 4 weeks from initial design consultation to launch, compared to a few days to 2 weeks for a one-page site.
You’ll need to create more content. Five pages means five lots of copy, and if you’re not a natural writer, that can feel daunting. However, working with a designer who provides guidance and examples makes this process much more manageable.
For Side Hustlers: Testing Your Idea Before You Scale
If you’re running a side hustle while working full-time, a one-page website lets you test market demand without a huge financial commitment, then you can upgraded to multi-page once you are able to increase investment.
Think of it as your minimum viable product. You can prove people will book your services or buy your product before investing in a full site with multiple service pages.
If you launch a fitness coaching side hustle with a one-page site showcasing three packages. After six months of consistent bookings you can upgrade to a multi-page site with separate pages for group coaching, one to one sessions and an online course. The one-page structure lets you validate demand before scaling investment.
Which Website Structure Should You Choose?
Choose a One-Page Website If You:
A one-page website makes sense if you offer one main service or product. A yoga teacher with three types of classes, a DJ promoting their services or a consultant selling one signature programme can communicate everything visitors need to know in a single scroll.
It’s also ideal if you’re testing a business idea and want to validate demand before investing more. If you’re a side hustler proving a concept works, a one-page site gets you online for less money and lets you pivot easily.
Go with a one-page structure if your business relies on offline networking, referrals or social media rather than Google search. Your website becomes a digital business card that legitimises your business rather than a primary marketing channel.
Budget-Based Guidance
Side hustle making £0 to £500 monthly: Maybe start with one-page (£1,500 to £2,000). Test your concept and validate demand before scaling your investment.
Side hustle making £500 to £2,000 monthly: Consider one-page with an upgrade plan built in. Launch lean, then expand to multi-page when revenue justifies it.
Business making £2,000+ monthly: Invest in multi-page (£3,000 to £5,000). Split the cost over 3 to 6 months with a payment plan. A £3,600 site becomes £600 monthly for 6 months, then you own it completely with no recurring fees or subscriptions.
And those who are simply just ready to invest in their business and make it happen, take the leap and invest in a multi-page website for longevity and efficiency (£1,500 to £4,750). Start as you mean to go on!
Choose a Multi-Page Website If You:
Multi-page websites are essential if you offer multiple distinct services. If you’re a business coach serving both corporate clients and solo entrepreneurs, you need separate pages to speak to each audience’s specific concerns and outcomes.
Choose this structure if SEO matters to your business model. If you want customers finding you through Google searches, you need multiple pages to rank for multiple terms. According to SEMrush data, website structure has a huge impact on rankings.
You also need a multi-page site if content marketing is part of your growth strategy. If you plan to publish blog posts, case studies or resources that answer customer questions and build trust over time, the multi-page structure supports that approach.
Real Examples: How This Decision Plays Out
Let’s say a personal trainer is deciding on website structure. She offers three training packages, all delivered at one location. Her clients find her through Instagram and local referrals, not Google. A clean one-page site with her packages, transformation photos and a booking calendar would give her everything she needs for around £1,800.
Now imagine a marketing consultant in the same decision. She offers brand strategy, social media management and content creation as separate services to different types of clients. She’d need individual service pages, a resources blog and case study pages. The investment would be around £4,200, but the multi-page structure would let her rank on page one for three different service-related keywords.
The difference isn’t about budget, it’s about business model. One-page works when your offering is focused. Multi-page works when you need to rank for multiple terms and serve diverse customer needs.
Can You Switch Later?
Yes, you can absolutely start with a one-page website and expand to multi-page as your business grows.
The content from your one-page site gets split into logical sections that become individual pages. Your “services” section becomes a services page, your “about” section becomes an about page and so on. The migration typically costs around £1,500 depending on how many new pages you’re adding.
But, if you know you’ll need multiple pages in the next 6 to 12 months, it’s more cost effective to build that structure from the start. You’ll save money and avoid the disruption of migration when you’re trying to run your business.
What About Costs and Timeline?
Here’s what you can expect with professional website projects. One-page websites typically cost £1,500 to £2,500 and takes days to 2 weeks to complete. Multi-page websites range from £1,500 to £5,000 and take 2 to 4 weeks from start to finish.
Both options should include mobile responsiveness, basic SEO setup, contact forms and post-launch support for tweaks and questions. Payment plans can split the cost so you own your website outright at the end, with no ongoing subscription fees.
If you’re curious about working with an independent designer versus an agency, I wrote a detailed post about that decision-making process. It breaks down the cost and timeline differences.
Technical Considerations
Both website structures work on WordPress, which gives you full ownership of your site and makes future updates easy, even if you’re not technical.
One-page sites can feel slower to load if you’re including lots of images and content in one go. Image optimisation and lazy loading keep performance smooth, and it’s worth noting if your one-page site is very content heavy.
Multi-page sites require slightly more maintenance because there are more pages to update, backup and secure. However, this is minimal if your site is built properly. The performance optimisation tools available through WordPress plugins like WP Super Cache keep multi-page sites running fast regardless of size.
So… Which Structure Is Right for Your Business?
If you’re a small business owner or side hustler with one core offer and limited budget, a one-page website gives you a professional online presence without overcomplicating things. You can always expand later as your business grows.
If you have multiple services, want to rank on Google for different keywords and plan to publish regular content, a multi-page website gives you the foundation to grow your online presence strategically. The upfront investment pays off through better SEO and clearer customer journeys.
The honest answer is that most established small businesses ad growing side hustles eventually need a multi-page structure. But if you’re just starting out, validating an idea or offer one simple thing, there’s nothing wrong with starting lean and upgrading when it makes sense.
Next Steps and Recommendations
If you’re still not sure which structure fits your business, get in touch and book a free consultation. During the call, we’ll discuss your services, your customer journey and your 12 month goals, then I’ll recommend the structure that makes most sense for your situation.
Before the call, write down answers to these questions: What services do you offer? How do customers currently find you? Do you plan to blog or publish content regularly? What keywords do you want to rank for on Google? These answers will help provide specific guidance rather than generic advice.
You can also look at competitor websites in your industry. Notice which structure they’re using and ask yourself if it’s working for them. Are they ranking on Google? Is their navigation clear? Does their site feel cluttered or organised? This research will clarify what works in your specific market.
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