Are One-Page Sites Making a Comeback?

In the early years of the web, websites were difficult to build. Many existed on a single page, or were uploaded purely as experiments.

When blogs (or ‘weblogs’) started to crop up, the one-page site was left behind.

But is the one-page site on its way back?

One-Page Sites and Site Builders

Dotster’s Instant Website package is a good example of a one-page website hosting service. It’s intended to pull together a full and complete site on a single page via a site builder. The page comes complete with Flickr gallery, Facebook, Twitter, maps and other relevant information.

Some design companies also specialise in one-page websites because they serve as a hub for the other activities of the company or individual.

There are also hundreds of companies offering site builder tools; often, the free version is limited to a handful of pages at best.

Any website is better than nothing, and a web presence can be a good way to publicise social media pages. But clearly one-page websites aren’t ideal for everyone.

The Benefits of a One-Page Site

Why might a business or individual choose a one-page structure?

• One-page sites are cheaper to design, cheaper to host and require less bandwidth.
• Anyone can get a one-page site online and functioning in almost no time. Site builders make this process even quicker.
• Static sites with no dynamic elements are generally more secure.

If you don’t have the resources to build a full website, a one-page site may suit you.

The Drawbacks of a One-Page Site

A business with a one-page website could be missing many of the features that make websites useful in marketing terms. For example, it’s basically impossible to add a blog to a static site.

One-page structures are also difficult to expand, and the design has to be pretty spot-on to prevent the page getting cluttered.

Tiny websites for businesses can also be seen as unprofessional since they don’t offer much benefit to the visitor.

Will the One-Page Trend Continue?

More individuals and businesses are relying on social media. Over time, companies may decide to focus more on social networks and less on their own site. Arguably one-page sites are becoming more common just because they’re quirky.

Ultra-compact websites may be experiencing something of a renaissance, but there are probably more reasons to build up your site than there are to cut it back.

Claire Broadley

Claire is a freelance writer. She works with us through Red Robot Media, which she runs along with her associate Mathew Dixon. In addition, Claire is an accomplished musician who has toured the world with her band Printed Circuit. She lives in the United Kingdom.