Do I need a multi or single page website for the best SEO? Let's Find Out
Do I need a multi or single page website for the best SEO?
When designing a website, the most common question for small business, either new or existing is this: Do I need a multi or single page website for the best SEO?
While single page websites can be clean and provide a simple user experience, multi page websites have significant advantages particularly in terms of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
Let’s break down the major differences while focusing on SEO, because after all, you need your website to be seen.
Reason One:
Keywords
What is a keyword?
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines, like Google, to find information. For example, if someone wants to find a graphic designer in Queensland, they might type “web design sunshine coast or SEO Sunshine Coast” into the search bar. These words help search engines match users with relevant websites.
Keywords Targeting and Relevance
Multi Page Websites
One of the primary benefits of a multi-page website is the ability to target multiple keywords more effectively. Each page can be optimised for a specific set of keywords relevant to its content. For instance, a graphic design business like Sahara Studio might have separate pages for services such as logo design, branding, and website design. This targeted approach allows each page to rank for different keyword phrases, increasing the overall visibility of the site in search engine results.
Single Page Websites
Single page websites, on the other hand, often struggle to rank well for a variety of keywords. Since all content is housed on one page, keyword targeting becomes diluted. Search engines may find it challenging to determine the primary focus of the page, resulting in lower rankings for the desired keywords.
Reason two:
Content Depth and Quality
Multi-Page Websites
Multi-page websites provide more room to breath by creating space that lets website designers create high quality and in depth content, rich with keywords for essential search engine optimisation. Search engines like Google will rank websites that provide comprehensive information on your business and related topics. For example, on a multi page site, you can dedicate entire pages to case studies, detailed service descriptions, and informative blog posts. Each page provides another opportunity to contribute relevant keywords along with high quality content.
Single Page Websites
A single page website, while potentially engaging, is limited in the amount of content it can present without overwhelming the user. This limitation can negatively impact SEO, as search engines may perceive the site as having less authority in its content compared to a multi page site with more extensive content.
MULTI Page Websites
Improved User Experience and Navigation
User experience (UX) is a critical component of SEO. Multi page websites generally provide a better user experience by offering a clear, logical structure that makes it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for. Well organised menus, breadcrumbs, and internal linking strategies guide users through the site with clear and easy navigation.
Single Page Websites
Single page websites tend to rely on the user scrolling down the page to find the right information. This can be frustrating for users because they can’t quickly locate the information they need. This then leads to higher abandonment rates and lower engagement rates with less time spent on the website overall. These factors become positive or negative signals for search engines and therefore impact on ranking.
Reason four:
MULTI Page Websites
Internal linking is (connecting your website pages together within the page, not just menus) is a powerful SEO tool. Google let documents leak recently that highlight the importance of internal linking every page to your home page. This helps search engines understand the structure of your website and the relationship between different pages. Multi page websites obviously provide more opportunities for this internal linking strategy. “Linking related pages together, you can distribute page authority and improve the crawlability of your site.”
Single Page Websites
Single page websites don’t allow provisions for this strategy, due to fact there are no pages to link to. A single page website can’t take advantage of showing search engines the structure of the website which then reduces the overall SEO effectiveness of the site.
Reason five:
MULTI Page Websites
With multi page websites, you can gain better insights into your users behaviour with different tools. We use a range of important tools to track how users find and use your website. Tools like Google Analytics give you data on people use your website, where they found you, what keywords are working, etc. You can also customise the reports to pin point target information. All this data can be used to create higher performing websites and enhance SEO for your site.
Single Page Websites
Single page websites, obviously offer a much smaller picture with lower analytical data. Everything is happening on one page, so its harder to establish what sections people prefer, exactly where they leave your website and what impact it is having on that pages ability to solve a problem for them.
Reason six:
While single page websites are often touted for their simplicity on mobile devices, multi page websites can also be optimised for mobile use. Responsive design techniques ensure that multi page sites provide an excellent user experience across all devices. Additionally, having separate pages for different topics can make navigation easier on mobile, where users prefer quick, straightforward access to information.
Reason seven:
Site speed is a critical factor for SEO, and multi page websites can often outperform single page sites in this regard. Single page websites may suffer from slower load times due to the sheer amount of content that needs to load at once. Multi page websites, on the other hand, distribute content across multiple pages, allowing for faster load times and a more responsive user experience.
Let's Review
Single Page Websites are fine as a starting point for a new small business. Service based businesses may not have decided their niche and are testing the waters to see where the focus might be.
While single-page websites have their place, particularly for simpler, more straightforward presentations, multi-page websites offer significant advantages for SEO. The ability to target multiple keywords, provide in-depth content, enhance user experience, and leverage internal linking opportunities makes multi-page sites a more robust choice for businesses looking to improve their search engine rankings. For a graphic design business like Sahara Studio, a well-structured, multi-page website can drive more traffic, improve user engagement, and ultimately lead to greater success online.
Written by
Head Genie - Sahara Studio
August 8, 2024 13.54 pm
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