How to Build a One-Page Website for Your Business (Step-by-Step) - Ep. 57
- Rizza Mae Marvel
- Mar 14
- 9 min read
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This article is adapted from an episode of Intentional Branding where I talk through this topic in more detail.
Warm welcome here, because if building a website has felt way harder than it should, you are absolutely not alone. For a lot of new business owners, the idea of creating a full website feels overwhelming fast. There’s the tech, the design, the copy, the photos, the SEO, and somehow it all starts with a blank screen.
The good news is you do not need a huge multi-page site to get started. You can build a one page website as a strategic first step. It gives people a place to find you, learn what you do, and get in touch, without creating something you’ll have to constantly rebuild while your business is still evolving.
1. Start With a Game Plan Before You Design and Build Your One Page Website
Before you touch fonts, colors, or templates, you need a plan for a successful single page website.
This part is easy to skip, especially when it is only one page, but it will save you so much time. When your business is new, things are still changing. Your services might shift. Your process might evolve. Your messaging might get clearer as you work with more people. That is exactly why starting with a one-page website makes sense.
Get clear on what you want this landing page to do. Do you want people to email you, book a call, or fill out a contact form? Write it down. Think through your goals before you start building.
You also want to get clear on who you are talking to. Identify your core audience and tailor your content to speak directly to them. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to write copy that connects.
A few helpful questions to ask yourself:
What action do I want people to take?
What is the one message I want to get across?
What problem am I helping my audience solve?
What makes me different from others in my industry?
What kind of impression do I want my site to leave?
What is essential to include right now, and what can wait?
What do I already have ready, like copy, photos, or branding?
What do I still need?
This is the foundation. When you know what your website needs to do, every decision after that gets easier.
2. Think of It Like a Homepage and Map Out Your Sections
A one-page website is basically your homepage without all the extra pages attached yet.
On a full website, your homepage introduces each section, then links out to a deeper landing pages.
On a one-page website, you are focusing on the essentials only. It is one long scrolling page, and each section acts like a mini page.
A simple and strategic layout could look like this:
Above the Fold (think of it like the top section of a folded newspaper)
This is the first thing people see before they scroll. You need a headline and a short intro message that clearly says what you do and who you help.
This section matters so much because it is your first impression. Someone should be able to land on your site and quickly know if they are in the right place.
About Section
Add a photo of yourself and a short blurb about who you are.
I know not everyone loves putting their photo on their website, but it helps humanize your small business. You are not just selling a service. You are selling yourself doing that service. Keep this section short, around three to five sentences, and make it meaningful.
Services Section
List your services with a short description of each one. Im talking real short like a 1 or 2 sentence overview. If you need more room you can add a 'see more text' accordian to keep the website clean and help with user experience. Keep it simple. Just help people understand what you offer.
You can do this in columns, in stacked sections, or however works best for your layout.
Portfolio or Examples
Show examples of your work if you have them.
This could be a gallery, project previews, or even visuals placed inside your services section. People want to see what your work looks like.
Testimonials
Testimonials help build trust.
If you do not have testimonials yet, see if you can do practice work, beta work, or exchanges with people you know in return for honest feedback. Social proof matters, especially when someone is deciding whether they trust you.
How It Works or What to Expect
This section helps people feel more comfortable reaching out.
A lot of people want to know what happens next before they book. Giving them the extra information they need by having simple step-by-step preview can make your business feel easier to work with.
FAQ Section
Answer common questions upfront.
If someone lands on your website and you answer the questions they are already thinking about, that gives you a huge advantage. It builds trust and removes hesitation.
Contact Section
You need a clear way for people to reach you.
That can be a contact form, a booking link, or both. It is also a good idea to include your email, phone number, or business contact details so people have options.
If you want to add extra sections, you can also include:
A “who it’s for” section to help pre-qualify leads
A freebie or lead magnet signup
Trust logos or “as seen in” features
Keep each section short, focused, and easy to skim. You do not need long paragraphs. You need clarity.
3. Choose One Clear Call to Action
Your website should tell people exactly what to do next.
Pick one main call to action and repeat it throughout the page. That might be:
Book a call
Fill out the contact form
Send me an email
Keep it obvious. Keep it simple. Do not try to be clever with button names. For example use 'Contact Us' or 'Start Your Project' instead of 'Say Hello!'
Your CTA can show up in your hero section, in the middle of the page, and again near the bottom. You want people to see it without having to search for it.
If someone is ready to reach out, make that next step feel easy.
4. Write Copy That Sounds Like You and Speaks to Your Ideal Client
Before you design, it helps to write all of your copy in one document first.
This makes the design process way easier because you can simply copy and paste your words into your site. It also helps you map out your sections before you get distracted by layout decisions.
A simple structure for each section is:
Header
Subhead if needed
Short paragraph
Call to action
Try to keep your paragraphs around three to five sentences. Focus on being clear, warm, and welcoming.
This is also where you want to think about your brand voice. If your brand is casual, let it sound casual. If your brand is more polished and professional, lean into that. Your website should sound like you.
And most importantly, write in a way that speaks to your ideal client. Think about what they are searching for, what questions they have, and what they need reassurance around.
For example, instead of saying:
Custom branding for purpose-driven entrepreneurs
You could say:
You’re tired of piecing your brand together in Canva. You want a visual identity that actually feels like you.
That feels more specific. More relatable. More human.
Another example:
Instead of:
Packages tailored to your needs
You could say:
Not sure where to start? I’ll walk you through the process step by step, so you’re never left guessing.
That kind of copy builds trust because it sounds like a real person talking to a real person.
5. Choose Fonts, Colors, and Photos That Match Your Vibe
If you already have branding, use it.
If you do not, keep it simple. Start with one or two fonts, three to five brand colors, and a clear visual direction. You do not need to overcomplicate it.
Once you have your visual pieces, upload everything into your website editor before you start designing. That includes:
Your logo
Brand colors
Fonts
Photos
Graphic elements
Doing this upfront makes the web design process faster and more consistent. Instead of making random styling decisions section by section, you already have your visual system in place.
That consistency is what helps a one-page website feel polished and have a professional online presence.
6. Sketch Your Layout or Use a Website Template
You do not have to go straight from idea to full design.
Sketch your website layout first. It can be messy. It can be quick. It can literally be rectangles for images, scribbles for headlines, and lines for paragraphs. The point is just to create a rough visual plan.
This helps you avoid falling into design rabbit holes later. When you already have a rough layout in mind, it is easier to stay focused.
If sketching is not your thing, use a template.
If you go the template route, look for one that already includes the sections you want. You can always change the colors, fonts, and overall aesthetic later. Choosing a template with the right structure will save you the most time.
7. Do Basic SEO (search engine optimization) So People Can Actually Find You
Even a one-page website can show up on Google.
That means you still want to do the basics:
Write a page title with your target keyword
Add a meta description
Use keywords naturally in your copy
Add alt text to your images
Make sure your site works well on mobile and tablet
You do not need to overdo it. Just pick one main keyword and use it in a way that makes sense.
A simple way to find keyword ideas is to start typing your service into Google and look at the autocomplete suggestions. You can also check the “people also ask” section and related searches for ideas.
Use those insights to guide your copy, page title, and meta description. Just keep it natural. Keyword stuffing will only hurt you. Check out Episode 26: Simple SEO - Your 8-Step On-Page SEO Checklist for more information about SEO.
8. Preview, Test, and Fix Anything That Feels Off
Before you launch, test everything.
Click every button. Fill out your own contact form. Read through your copy again for typos or anything unclear. Check your website on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Sometimes something looks fine in the editor, then feels completely off once you see it on mobile devices. That final review matters.
This step is all about catching the little things before other people do.
9. Launch It and Share It Like You Mean It
This part is huge.
A lot of people finally launch their website, then feel too embarrassed or too nervous to actually share it. But if you do not share your website, people will not know it is there.
Post it on Instagram. Add it to your Pinterest. Put it in your email signature. Link it in your bio. Mention it in your newsletter. Talk about it on Facebook. Keep pointing people back to it.
You cannot rely on Google alone, especially at the beginning. You have to build momentum by getting your website in front of people.
Yes, that can feel uncomfortable. Business is uncomfortable sometimes. But your website is there to support your growth, and it cannot do that if no one knows it exists.
Recap: Key Takeaways
Start with a game plan: Get clear on your goals, your audience, your message, and what your website actually needs to do.
Map out your sections: Think of your one-page website like a homepage with clear, focused sections that guide people down the page.
Choose one main call to action: Tell people exactly what to do next, and repeat that CTA throughout the page.
Write copy that sounds like you: Keep it human, clear, and centered on what your ideal client needs to hear.
Use visuals that match your vibe: Choose simple, consistent fonts, colors, and photos that make your website feel polished.
Sketch your layout or use a template: A quick plan helps you stay focused and saves you from overthinking every design choice.
Do the basic SEO work: Add your page title, meta description, keywords, and alt text so your website has a chance to be found.
Test everything before you launch: Check buttons, forms, copy, and every screen size so your site feels smooth and professional.
Share your website confidently: Launch it, talk about it, and keep sending people to it. That is how you build momentum.
A one-page website does not have to be complicated to be effective. It just needs to be clear, strategic, and true to your business as it exists right now. Start simple, let it grow with you, and trust that done is better than stuck.
Happy designing!
Z Squared Studio is a Brand and Web Design Studio based in Juneau, Alaska. Check out www.zsquaredstudio.com for custom brand design, Alaska logo design, or web design.
Or sign up for our DIY Brand yourself Mini-Course if you're ready for a stand out, scroll stopping brand without hiring a designer.
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