In the past, a single page website, commonly termed as a ‘business card’, was not something to be proud of. They were cheap, only supplying the basics of what the owner wanted to put across.
This resulted in something that was functional, but hardly interesting or fun to use for anyone browsing the site. There was no room for applications, chat or even any images, so the user would have little choice but to read the website and leave.
Today, designers have a much better grasp on how to make an interesting website, even one with only a single page. Things have changed and it takes little more than just a consideration for what the user must be seeing when they look at the page.
It is possible to utilize the lack of space to make something simple and to the point, rather than cluttering up the small space that you have. An excellent interface, regardless of the size of the website, will be more likely to draw in internet users.
Why you need a one-page website
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- A single page makes it easy to get what is needed without having to spend time navigating a bigger website.
- The website’s message is easier to communicate when it’s being kept simple. If people are spending less time on websites, then this better ensures that they come away with the message that you want.
- Many people are using phones and tablets, which are small and have touch screens. Single pages are easier to read on these since you don’t need to click on any links.
It’s a matter of choosing the right content to catch the user’s attention. There are a few things that you can do that will result in a more interesting and eye-catching web page.
Display content in small chunks
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It can be tempting to make use of all the space that you have by pushing in all of the information that you have, but space is actually better utilized by arranging smaller chunks of information. Users will be overwhelmed by large amounts of information all at once, and they won’t stay to read.
There should also be a flow of the information that you use. A new segment should lead on from the last so that the user is encouraged to keep reading on. This also helps to keep the information organized in order to limit confusion when somebody is reading your website very briefly.
The more basic way of doing this is starting off with what the subject is, and then moving through why and then when and where and how. However, it’s possible to do more than this and to create a story out of what you have.
After all, the reader wants something to be engaging and finding the emotional side of your subject can do that. Not only this, but there is now living in the facts being given, and there’s a better chance that the user will find it relatable.
To enable quick access, consider different navigation options
Many web pages have buttons that let the user navigate quickly to the bottom of the page or the top. These are very important for ease of use, especially if you have a long page. Your page revolves around a lot of scrolling, so your users need to be kept on track.
If you have a lot of information to convey, then you could have links at the top for ease of use. A user is more likely to stay on your page if they can get the information they want, quickly.
Use strong messages and calls to action
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You don’t have much space to use, here, and if you can be concise, it can help a lot. If you can craft a good call to action, then much of the work of keeping people on your page is done. If your page has a clear purpose, then this should be the basis of your message, and what people see when they click on your page.
This is the case regardless of what the purpose of your page actually is, whether you’re selling something concrete or offering some information. It’s a good idea to experiment with color, words and content placement in order to determine what might work best.
If you’ve chosen to tell a story, then this means that it can lead down towards the call of action and contribute towards it. This method has the added bonus of encouraging your users to think and relate as the purpose of the site comes together.
Make sure that the page is light
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We have already covered how to place the content on the page, but it is also a good idea to make sure that the content is also fairly lightweight. Part of the reason why older pages did not have much outside of text is because anything extra would weigh down the page too much and be difficult to load.
The problem is that single web pages are carrying everything that needs to be shown, which means that all of it must be loaded in order for the user to see even one part of the page. Not only this, but it costs time, and a user will be unlikely to wait, and making sure that they can see your page as soon as they want to should be a priority.
This also makes it more difficult for search engines to pick up your website, and you certainly want to be more mindful of how often your page can be searched for. Take a look at what you want to put on your website and make sure that everything you’re choosing is necessary.
What are the advantages of a good, well maintained single-page website over a multi-page website?
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- Quick, simple navigation that ensures the user responds more quickly to the content.
- A good option for selling single products or concepts since everything about the subject can be found on the same page.
- No refresh is needed.
- The better option for anyone using the internet on a phone or a tablet.
- Easier to maintain.
- It is easier to form distinction from other sites, especially since single pages are less common.
- Focusing on designing single page websites means that quality can be a priority of quantity.
- The density of the site means that it’s easier for search engines to find and it’s also easier to rank since only one page needs to be taken into consideration.
In conclusion, single pages are a good way to really put the focus on what you want, whether it’s a product or information. It helps to better engage users since they only have to spend time looking at one page. Single web pages have been shown to work better for some things than others, but it’s a good idea to see what works best for you.
Credit for featured image: axelwyart.com
