If I had a dime for every time a client asked for a website but needed a landing page, I would not be writing this article. I think a lot of people do not understand the differences between them; therefore, they are unable to decide which they need. I am going to go over the differences and help you decide which is better for you.
What is a website?
Google’s definition of a website is a set of related web pages located under a single domain name, typically produced by a single person or organization. Notice they say a set of pages and not a page. This is the first difference. A landing page links to other sites but is only dependent on itself. A website, on the other hand, is completely reliant on other pages.
Generally, a website is there to provide information on a business or individual, while a landing page is designed to sell or capture something. I have said time and time again that if you have a business, it needs a website. I do not care what your business is about or who it targets, it needs a website. Why? Because people need to be educated about your business before they trust it.
What is a landing page?
Someone needs to tell Google they have a very outdated definition of a landing page, the section of a website accessed by clicking a hyperlink on another web page, typically the website’s home page. If you would have given me this definition fifteen years ago, I would have said spot on.
My definition of a landing page is a webpage generally linked to by advertisement or email to sell something or collect information. Unlike a website, its main goal is NOT to provide information but to sell. I like to refer to landing pages as the online salesman. A good landing page gives only essential information and focuses on one or two user actions.
Which is for you?
They both are for you. A successful business uses both and knows how to use them well. A website needs to be your main address. It is what you put on your business cards and give to potential clients.
A landing page needs to be used in marketing campaigns. That could be social media, inbound, or ads. Generally, a landing page will in some way link back to your main website. This is not the case with every landing page, but it is with most.
My question for you
My question for you is which do you need to improve more, your landing pages or website? Let me know below.
Hi! My name is Carter Stroup. I am the founder, president, web and SEO professional at Render Results. I have been a web developer for over four years and currently hold five professional certifications. My number one goal is to provide custom websites for an affordable price to help grow small businesses.
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