One-Page Website vs Multi-Page: What’s Best for Local Clients?

If you’re a local business deciding between a one-page website vs multi-page site, you’ve probably heard conflicting advice. Some say one page is limiting. Others claim multi-page is essential for SEO. The truth? Neither is automatically better. It depends entirely on what you’re trying to achieve.

Let’s cut through the noise and help you make the right choice for your business, not what’s easiest to sell or sounds most impressive.

When a One-Page Website Is Perfect

A one-page website works brilliantly when your business has a clear, focused offering and a single conversion goal. Here’s when it’s the smart choice.

You Offer One Core Service

If you’re an electrician who does domestic electrics, a personal trainer offering 1-to-1 coaching, or a dog groomer with one location, you don’t need five pages explaining different offerings. Your service is clear, your message is direct, and a single page delivers everything a visitor needs to know.

Example: A mobile mechanic covering Derby and Burton. Their one-page site shows services, service areas, qualifications, a phone number, and a contact form. Job done.

Your Goal Is Simple: Get Them to Call or Enquire

Local service businesses usually want one thing: contact. Whether that’s a phone call, WhatsApp message, or enquiry form, you’re not trying to educate people through a journey. You’re trying to get them to take one action fast.

One-page websites excel at this. No distractions, no competing calls to action, no losing people in multi-level menus. Just a smooth scroll from problem to solution to contact.

Why one-page websites work for local businesses

You Want Fast, Affordable, and Easy to Maintain

One-page sites are quicker to build, cheaper to host, and simpler to update. If you’re a sole trader or small business without a marketing team, you don’t want to be managing a ten-page website every time something changes.

Need to update your phone number or add a new service? Edit one file. That’s it.

Mobile Users Are Your Main Audience

Over 70% of local searches happen on mobile. Scrolling a single, well-structured page on a phone is intuitive. Tapping through menus, waiting for new pages to load, and navigating back and forth? Not so much.

A one-page site built mobile-first keeps everything accessible without frustrating visitors. That matters when they’re searching for a tradesman at 9pm or looking for a local service on the go.

When You Might Need Multiple Pages

Multi-page websites aren’t overkill for everyone. Here’s when adding extra pages makes sense.

You Offer Multiple Distinct Services

If you run a building company that handles extensions, conversions, renovations, and new builds, cramming all of that detail onto one page becomes messy. Each service deserves its own dedicated space to explain what’s involved, show examples, and answer specific questions.

A landscape gardening business might need separate pages for garden design, patios, fencing, and maintenance contracts. Trying to fit all of that into one scrolling page risks overwhelming visitors or under-explaining each service.

You Have a Complex Portfolio or Case Study Library

Photographers, architects, designers, and creative professionals often need space to showcase multiple projects in detail. A one-page gallery works for ten images. A portfolio of 50+ projects with descriptions, client testimonials, and case studies? That needs structure.

Multi-page layouts let you categorise work (weddings, commercial, portraits) and give each project room to breathe without slowing your homepage to a crawl.

You Want to Target Different Audiences or Locations

If you’re a plumber covering Derby, Burton, and Uttoxeter, creating location-specific pages helps you rank for “[service] in [town]” searches. Each page can speak directly to that area, mention local landmarks, and feel relevant to people searching there.

Similarly, if you’re a marketing consultant serving both startups and established businesses, separate pages let you tailor messaging to each audience without diluting your homepage.

You’re Building Long-Term Content or SEO Strategy

If you plan to publish blog posts, guides, or resources regularly, a multi-page structure makes sense. A blog section, resource library, or FAQ hub gives you room to create valuable content that ranks for different search terms over time.

That said, most local trades don’t need a blog. If writing articles isn’t part of your plan, don’t build a site structure around it just because it “might be useful one day”.

The Benefits of One-Page Websites

Let’s be specific about why one-page sites work so well for local businesses.

Faster Loading Speed

Fewer pages mean less code, fewer resources, and faster performance. Speed matters. A one-second delay in load time can cost you 7% of conversions. When people search for local services, they want instant results. A fast one-page site delivers that.

Why your website feels slow

Better Conversion Focus

There’s nowhere to wander off to. Visitors scroll through your story, see your offer, and hit your contact section. No confusing navigation, no competing pages, no dead ends.

Research shows that reducing choices increases conversions. One-page sites remove decision paralysis and guide visitors toward one clear action: getting in touch.

Lower Cost to Build and Maintain

A well-built one-page site costs less upfront because there’s less design work, fewer pages to code, and simpler hosting. You’re not paying for five pages when one does the job better.

Maintenance is cheaper too. No need for monthly retainers to update multiple pages or fix broken menu links. One page, one update, done.

At Mapletree Studio, our Launch Package starts at £479 for a fully custom one-page site. No templates, no bloat, no surprises.

What a £497 website should actually include

Easier to Optimise for Mobile

Mobile-first design is essential for local businesses. A one-page site scrolls naturally on small screens without fiddly navigation or hidden menus. Everything’s accessible in one flow, making it easier for mobile users to find what they need and take action.

Simple to Track and Improve

With one page, analytics are straightforward. You can see exactly where people scroll, when they drop off, and which sections drive contact. That makes testing and improving your site much easier than tracking behaviour across ten different pages.

The Trade-Offs of One-Page Sites

One-page websites aren’t perfect for every situation. Here’s where they fall short.

Limited Room for Detailed Content

If you need to explain complex services, write long-form content, or showcase extensive portfolios, cramming everything onto one page creates clutter. Visitors don’t want to scroll forever, and search engines struggle to understand pages stuffed with unrelated topics.

Harder to Target Multiple Keywords

Google ranks pages, not websites. A one-page site targeting “electrician Derby” and “EV charger installation Burton” and “rewiring specialist Uttoxeter” is trying to do too much. You’ll rank for your main keyword, but secondary terms will struggle.

If ranking for multiple location-based or service-specific keywords matters, dedicated pages help.

Not Ideal for Large Businesses or Diverse Audiences

If you have multiple departments, serve different customer types, or operate across regions, a one-page site feels limiting. Trying to speak to everyone on one page usually means you connect with no one effectively.

The Benefits of Multi-Page Websites

Multi-page sites work well when you need depth, flexibility, and structure.

Room to Explain Complex Services Properly

Some services need more than two paragraphs and a contact form. Legal advice, consultancy, technical services, and creative work often require detailed explanations, FAQs, pricing breakdowns, and trust-building content. Multiple pages give you that space.

Better for Targeting Multiple Keywords

Each page can focus on a specific keyword or topic. Your homepage targets your main service, your service pages rank for individual offerings, and location pages capture area-specific searches.

This matters if you’re competing in crowded markets where ranking for a variety of terms drives more traffic than one keyword alone.

More Flexibility for Growth

As your business grows, you can add services, case studies, blog posts, or team pages without redesigning everything. Multi-page structures scale more naturally than trying to extend a single scrolling page.

Easier to Separate Audiences

If you serve both residential and commercial clients, B2B and B2C customers, or local and national markets, separate pages let you tailor messaging and design for each group without confusing the other.

The Trade-Offs of Multi-Page Sites

Multi-page websites come with their own challenges, especially for small local businesses.

Higher Cost to Build and Maintain

More pages mean more design, development, and testing. That costs more upfront and requires ongoing maintenance as your business changes. If you’re not using those extra pages effectively, you’re paying for structure you don’t need.

Slower Load Times (If Not Built Properly)

Poorly built multi-page sites load slowly, especially if they’re running heavy WordPress themes or bloated templates. Every additional page adds resources, images, and code. If your developer isn’t focused on performance, your site suffers.

Static sites vs WordPress: which is faster for Derby businesses?

Bad multi-page sites overwhelm visitors with menus, submenus, dropdown options, and unclear labels. If people can’t find what they’re looking for in three clicks, they leave.

Simple navigation is critical. If you can’t keep it clear and logical, a single page is better.

Harder to Track Conversion Paths

With multiple pages, visitors can enter anywhere, jump around, and leave from different places. That makes it harder to understand behaviour and optimise for conversions. You need proper analytics setup and more time interpreting data.

How to Decide: One-Page vs Multi-Page

Here’s a practical framework to help you choose.

Start With These Questions

How many distinct services or offerings do I have?
Do I need to target different audiences or locations separately?
Is my main goal to generate enquiries, or do I need to educate visitors first?
Do I plan to publish ongoing content like blogs, guides, or case studies?
What’s my realistic budget for building and maintaining the site?

Choose One Page If:

You offer 1–3 closely related services
Your business is location-specific and serves a tight area
Your main goal is getting people to contact you fast
You want low cost, low maintenance, and fast performance
Your visitors are mostly on mobile devices

Choose Multi-Page If:

You offer several distinct services that each need detailed explanation
You want to rank for multiple location or service-based keywords
You need to serve different audiences with different messaging
You plan to build long-term content or a resource library
You have the budget and capacity to maintain a larger site

Still Unsure? Start With One Page

Here’s the smart move: launch with a well-built one-page site first. Get your business online, start generating enquiries, and see what questions people ask. If you discover you need dedicated service pages or location-specific content later, add them.

Starting simple is always safer than overbuilding. You can expand. You can’t easily simplify once you’ve committed to a complex structure.

Why minimal websites outperform maximal ones

Real Examples: One-Page vs Multi-Page in Action

Let’s look at how this plays out for real local businesses.

Example 1: Mobile Mechanic (One Page)

A mobile mechanic covering Derby offers servicing, diagnostics, and repairs. Their one-page site includes:

Headline: “Mobile Mechanic – Derby & Surrounding Areas”
Services section (3 key offerings)
Why choose us (qualifications, experience)
Service area map
Contact form and phone number

Result: Fast, clear, converts well. They rank for “mobile mechanic Derby” and get 15–20 enquiries per month. Adding more pages wouldn’t improve results.

Example 2: Building Company (Multi-Page)

A building company handles extensions, conversions, loft conversions, and new builds. They need:

Homepage (overview and trust signals)
Separate pages for each service with photos, process, FAQs
Portfolio/case studies
About page
Contact page

Result: Each service page ranks for specific keywords like “loft conversion Burton” or “house extension Derby”. Visitors exploring bigger projects need the detail and reassurance that multiple pages provide.

Example 3: Photographer (Multi-Page)

A wedding and commercial photographer serves two different audiences. They use:

Homepage (introduction, style, quick portfolio preview)
Wedding photography page (packages, example galleries, testimonials)
Commercial photography page (corporate headshots, product photography, pricing)
Full portfolio organised by category
Contact page

Result: Each page speaks to a different audience and ranks for different keywords. Trying to fit weddings and corporate work on one page would confuse visitors and dilute messaging.

Common Myths About One-Page vs Multi-Page Websites

Let’s clear up some rubbish you might’ve heard.

Myth 1: “Google Won’t Rank One-Page Sites”

Wrong. Google ranks content that’s relevant, fast, and valuable. Plenty of one-page sites rank brilliantly for their target keywords. What matters is clear structure, good content, and technical SEO, not the number of pages.

The SEO secrets hidden in simple design

Myth 2: “Multi-Page Sites Look More Professional”

Only if they’re built well. A clean, purposeful one-page site looks far more professional than a clunky five-page template site with slow load times and confusing navigation.

Professionalism is about quality, not quantity.

Myth 3: “You Need Lots of Pages for SEO”

You need good content for SEO, not more pages. One well-optimised page targeting a clear keyword beats ten mediocre pages targeting nothing in particular.

Focus on creating value, not filling space.

Myth 4: “One-Page Sites Can’t Handle Multiple Services”

They can, as long as the services are closely related and don’t require extensive individual explanation. It’s about presentation and structure, not arbitrary page limits.

What About Future Growth?

Both approaches can scale, but in different ways.

Growing a One-Page Site

If your one-page site is built properly, adding pages later is straightforward. Start with one focused page, and when your business genuinely needs dedicated service pages, blog content, or location pages, add them.

At Mapletree Studio, we structure one-page sites so they expand naturally. You’re not locked into a single page forever. You’re just starting smart.

Growing a Multi-Page Site

Multi-page sites are built for expansion. Adding services, locations, case studies, or resources fits naturally into the existing structure. Just make sure you’re actually using the pages you have before adding more.

How Much Should Each Cost?

Pricing varies, but here’s what’s reasonable for UK local businesses.

One-Page Website Cost

A custom-built, professional one-page site should cost between £400–£800. That includes:

Custom design (no templates)
Mobile-first build
Fast hosting setup
Contact forms and integrations
SEO-ready structure

At Mapletree Studio, we charge £479 for our Launch Package: a fully custom one-page site built from scratch, delivered in days, with no ongoing monthly fees unless you want support.

Affordable one-page websites for local trades in Burton

Multi-Page Website Cost

A professional multi-page site (3–5 pages) typically costs £800–£2,000 depending on complexity, functionality, and design requirements. Anything charging £3,000+ for a basic multi-page brochure site is overpriced unless there’s serious custom development involved.

Avoid agencies quoting £5,000 for “premium multi-page sites” that are just WordPress templates with your logo swapped in.

Why we don’t use templates

What to Avoid When Choosing

Here’s where businesses go wrong.

Don’t Overbuild for No Reason

If you’re a sole trader offering one service, don’t let someone talk you into a ten-page site with separate service pages, team profiles, blog sections, and resource libraries. You’re paying for structure you’ll never use and complexity that slows everything down.

Don’t Underbuild to Save Money

On the flip side, if you genuinely need multiple pages to explain your services properly, don’t cram everything onto one page to save £200. A cluttered, confusing one-pager converts worse than a clean multi-page site.

Build what your business actually needs, not what’s cheapest or trendiest.

Don’t Copy Competitors Blindly

Just because your competitor has a five-page site doesn’t mean you need one. Likewise, don’t assume a one-page site works for you just because it’s fashionable.

Think about your business goals, your audience, and what makes sense for your situation.

Making the Decision: A Simple Checklist

Use this to guide your choice:

You Probably Need a One-Page Site If:

You offer 1–3 closely related services
Your main goal is fast contact (call, form, WhatsApp)
You want low cost and easy maintenance
Most of your customers are local and find you via mobile search
You don’t plan to publish ongoing blog content

You Probably Need a Multi-Page Site If:

You offer 4+ distinct services that each need detailed explanation
You serve multiple locations or audience types
You want to target multiple keywords separately
You plan to publish blogs, guides, or case studies regularly
You have complex portfolios or case study libraries

Ready to Build the Right Site for Your Business?

The best website isn’t the one with the most pages or the flashiest design. It’s the one that fits your business, serves your customers, and gets results without unnecessary complexity.

Whether that’s a focused one-page site or a structured multi-page layout depends entirely on what you’re trying to achieve.

At Mapletree Studio, we don’t upsell. We build what actually works for your business, whether that’s one page or ten. Fast, clean, purposeful websites for local businesses across Derby, Burton, and the Midlands.

Not sure which approach suits you? Let’s talk it through.

👉 Get in touch with Mapletree Studio

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