While most websites have multiple pages, sometimes there’s a strong need to pare it down. Whether you’re creating a landing page for your latest campaign, designing a portfolio site, or just want to keep it simple, a one-page website can be just as effective as a multi-page site — or perhaps more so.
A one-page site forces you to cut down on clutter and tell your story in a cohesive way. Rather than distracting visitors with menubars or potentially getting them lost among multiple pages, you can focus on your key goal. What action do you want visitors to take?
Here are the five simple steps to creating a one-page design that drives your visitors to take that action.
1. Add visual interest
Humans are visual creatures, so use that quality to your advantage. Lead with strong images and typography, and don’t scare them off with large chunks of text above the fold. Think of your page as a welcome mat: You want to invite users to come in and stick around.
2. Embrace white space
Speaking of which, the text you do have should be minimal, and you should break it up into short paragraphs or single sentences rather than publishing long blocks of text. Using copious white space helps draw the reader’s eye to the content, which is what mat- ters.
3. Work with patterns
Users reading in English tend to scan content from left to right, so design your pages accordingly. Place important information in the upper left, and use a zig-zag pattern with visuals to help guide the reader’s eye. Clever designers can even reveal elements in these patterns as the user scrolls.
4. Make it flow
One-page websites shouldn’t use sidebars or other standard elements that can make them look old-fashioned or cluttered. Keep your page streamlined by making it a one-column layout. You can use breakout images and color-blocking to mark out sections of the page.
5. Identify your CTA
No matter what type of webpage this is, a strong call-to-action (CTA) is crucial to converting visitors into customers or clients. De- sign a simple button in a contrasting color and place it prominently on your page. You can even use it multiple times. With careful design, you can introduce a secondary or even tertiary CTA; just ensure that each one is clearly identified.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, a one-page website design can effectively drive your visitors toward your CTA. It’s a great opportunity to play with strong visuals to tell a compelling story, rather than letting the visitor wander around a site and end up taking no action. Remember: the simpler the page is, the stronger it is! Know your goal and design the page accordingly. By doing so, you can achieve big results.