A single page website is one that fits on a single page. Single page websites are fully loaded in the initial page load or page zones are replaced with new page fragments loaded from server on demand, making the experience more continuous and fluid for the user.
Single page websites became a trend recently, mostly among designer sites because this type of web design is perfect for a portfolio. But it can also be found in apps or product sites, basically anything that is not heavy on content. Showcasing all the content of a website in a single page is a great way to save time for visitors as they won't have to jump from one page to another and the site only has to load once.
In this article, we describe various web-related concepts: web pages, websites, web servers, and search engines. These terms are often confused by newcomers to the web or are incorrectly used. Let's learn what they each mean!
As with any area of knowledge, the web comes with a lot of jargon. Don't worry. We won't overwhelm you with all of it (we have a glossary if you're curious). However, there are a few basic terms you need to understand at the outset since you'll hear these expressions all the time as you read on. It's easy to mix these terms since they refer to related but different functionalities. You'll sometimes see these terms misused in news reports and elsewhere, so getting them mixed up is understandable.
A web service that helps you find other web pages, such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, or DuckDuckGo. Search engines are normally accessed through a web browser (e.g. you can perform search engine searches directly in the address bar of Firefox, Chrome, etc.) or through a web page (e.g. bing.com or duckduckgo.com).
A web page is a simple document displayable by a browser. Such documents are written in the HTML language (which we look into in more detail in other articles). A web page can embed a variety of different types of resources such as:
Note: Browsers can also display other documents such as PDF files or images, but the term web page specifically refers to HTML documents. Otherwise, we only use the term document.
A web server is a computer hosting one or more websites. "Hosting" means that all the web pages and their supporting files are available on that computer. The web server will send any web page from the website it is hosting to any user's browser, per user request.
Don't confuse websites and web servers. For example, if you hear someone say, "My website is not responding", it actually means that the web server is not responding and therefore the website is not available. More importantly, since a web server can host multiple websites, the term web server is never used to designate a website, as it could cause great confusion. In our previous example, if we said, "My web server is not responding", it means that multiple websites on that web server are not available.
Many beginners on the web confuse search engines and browsers. Let's make it clear: A browser is a piece of software that retrieves and displays web pages; a search engine is a website that helps people find web pages from other websites. The confusion arises because, the first time someone launches a browser, the browser displays a search engine's homepage. This makes sense, because, obviously, the first thing you want to do with a browser is to find a web page to display. Don't confuse the infrastructure (e.g., the browser) with the service (e.g., the search engine). The distinction will help you quite a bit, but even some professionals speak loosely, so don't feel anxious about it.
A web server is a computer hosting one or more websites. \"Hosting\" means that all the web pages and their supporting files are available on that computer. The web server will send any web page from the website it is hosting to any user's browser, per user request.
Don't confuse websites and web servers. For example, if you hear someone say, \"My website is not responding\", it actually means that the web server is not responding and therefore the website is not available. More importantly, since a web server can host multiple websites, the term web server is never used to designate a website, as it could cause great confusion. In our previous example, if we said, \"My web server is not responding\", it means that multiple websites on that web server are not available.
The concise nature of a one-page design can work in your favor. Single-page websites typically provide faster site speed and performance. Fewer pages means less real estate to consider, so you can focus all your creativity and content into a single captivating experience. Whether you build from scratch or use a template, you can incorporate animations and visual motifs, and strategically use typography, color combinations, and spacing throughout your design.
If you're building or designing a website with a lot of information or products, a multipage website may be the best route. But if you're creating short-form content or designing an online portfolio, a single-page website gives you the opportunity to showcase your storytelling and brand. Effective single-page websites combine beautiful design, usability, and compelling messaging.
Reminiscent of works by painter Piet Mondrian, Actor's Portfolio is a bold and fun single-page Webflow cloneable. The portfolio website's one-page layout, stark lines, typeface, and color scheme create an eye-catching design, incorporating playful undertones often associated with theater and improv; this is an actor's portfolio, after all.
The logical flow of Actor's Portfolio is simplistic and straightforward, with different sections for About, Resum, Gallery, Reels, Testimonials or Press, and Contact. This single-page website is ideal for any creative looking for a portfolio website with an eye-catching yet uncomplicated design.
Designed by the incredibly talented strategic design studio Creative Mules, this single-page event website is a standout. Featuring a cheerful periwinkle-and-white color scheme and sans serif fonts, ACID's one-page website feels youthful and forward, reflecting both its audience and initiatives. A rotating 3D gemstone overlays the center screen of the initial fold, enticing appeal while creating quite a memorable impression.
Including interactive elements such as a dynamic navigation menu, on-hover micro-animations, and scroll-triggered parallax effects further enhances the site's dynamism and event's allure. This design approach makes the site and, thus, the coming event feel exciting and worthwhile, an event worth attending for the aspiring student chemist.
Upon redirecting to the one-page website, a brief bio and credentials greet site visitors with Behance, Dribbble, and Instagram linked below. Juan's approach to design and inclusion of on-hover microinteractions and scroll-triggered animations wonderfully demonstrates his creative expertise, with an added touch of personal flair. Give this one-pager a scroll to see Juan's cheekily designed, scroll-triggered copy, animations, vector illustrations, and more.
Ribalta is a beautiful single-page restaurant website with every visual element having a place in this clean design. A smooth parallax scroll provides micro-animations and movement, drawing the eye to images of a beautiful, brightly lit restaurant and delicious pizzeria dishes.
The chosen color scheme, typefaces, and fonts tie the design together, and the added load screen furthers the site's tasteful look and feel. The team behind the Ribalta website design did a fantastic job maintaining simplicity without compromising on design.
The chosen color palette feels affirming, fun, and trustworthy; the colorful, misshapen circle motifs further cement this feeling. The scroll-to-reveal navigation menu, click-to-reveal drop-downs, and header toggles allow the single-page website to maintain a clear structure and order without compromising on design.