How to Build a One-Page Website in WordPress for Optimal User Engagement

A one-page website consolidates all content into a single, scrollable page, offering a streamlined user experience. Unlike multi-page websites with separate sections like home, about, or contact pages, a one-page site organizes content into distinct sections accessible via smooth navigation. This format is ideal for showcasing a specific product, service, or business profile, particularly for local businesses or targeted marketing campaigns. With VPS.DO’s reliable VPS hosting, you can ensure your one-page website performs efficiently even during high traffic. This guide explains how to create a one-page website in WordPress, leveraging its default tools for simplicity and performance.

Why Choose a One-Page Website?

One-page websites are effective for delivering concise, focused content. They are particularly suited for:

• Local Businesses: Highlight key services, competitive advantages, and contact details on a single page.
• Landing Pages: Drive specific user actions, such as newsletter sign-ups or product purchases, by guiding visitors through a clear narrative.
• Portfolio or Event Pages: Present professional profiles or event details in a compact, visually engaging format.

While multi-page websites may offer more room for SEO-optimized content, a one-page site can complement your strategy by targeting specific audiences or campaigns. Hosting your site on VPS.DO ensures dedicated resources, preventing slowdowns common with shared hosting.

Key Requirements for Building a One-Page Website

To create a one-page website in WordPress, you’ll need:

• A WordPress installation (preferably the latest version with the Gutenberg block editor).
• A WordPress theme (e.g., the default Twenty Twenty-Three theme for simplicity).
• A reliable hosting provider like VPS.DO for optimal performance.
• (Optional) A plugin like Page Scroll to ID for smooth scrolling, if not supported by your theme.

Why VPS Hosting Matters for Your Website

Choosing the right hosting solution is critical for a one-page website’s performance. VPS.DO offers VPS hosting plans tailored for businesses, providing dedicated resources to ensure consistent speed and reliability. Unlike shared hosting, where resources are distributed among multiple users, VPS hosting guarantees exclusive access to CPU, RAM, and storage. For example, VPS.DO’s entry-level plan includes 1 vCPU, 2 GB RAM, and 30 GB SSD storage for $4/month, ensuring your site remains responsive even during traffic spikes.

These plans ensure your one-page website loads quickly, enhancing user experience and SEO performance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a One-Page Website

Step 1: Set Up WordPress

Begin with a WordPress installation on your VPS.DO hosting account. Most hosting providers, including VPS.DO, offer an automatic WordPress installer. Simply provide basic details like database name and table prefix, and the installer handles the rest. Once installed, log in to your WordPress dashboard to start building your site.

Step 2: Configure the Homepage

Create a new page to serve as your one-page website’s homepage. Navigate to Settings > Reading in the WordPress dashboard, select “A static page” under “Your homepage displays,” and choose your newly created page from the dropdown menu. Save the changes to set it as the homepage.

Step 3: Build Sections with the Gutenberg Editor

Using the Gutenberg block editor, divide your homepage into sections for different content areas (e.g., About, Services, Contact). To create a section:

• Add a Group block to organize content and optionally set a unique background color for visual distinction.
• Insert a Heading block for each section. In the block settings, locate the “Advanced” tab and enter a unique “HTML Anchor” name (e.g., “about-section”) without spaces.
• Add other blocks like paragraphs, images, or forms to populate the section with content.

Repeat this process for each section, ensuring each has a distinct HTML anchor for navigation purposes.

Step 4: Create a Navigation Menu

A one-page website relies on a menu that links to specific sections. If using a full-site editing (FSE) theme like Twenty Twenty-Three, add a Navigation block to your homepage. For non-FSE themes, go to Appearance > Menus and create a new menu (e.g., “Main Menu”).

• Add menu items corresponding to each section. In the URL field, enter the HTML anchor name prefixed with “#” (e.g., “#about-section”).
• Specify a display name for the menu item (e.g., “About Us”).
• Assign the menu to the correct display location in your theme (e.g., header or footer).

Save the menu and test it to ensure clicking each item scrolls to the corresponding section.

Step 5: Add Smooth Scrolling (Optional)

Some themes include smooth scrolling by default. If your theme lacks this feature, install the Page Scroll to ID plugin from the WordPress repository. Activate it to enable smooth transitions between sections, enhancing user experience.

Step 6: Optimize and Test

Preview your website to ensure all sections are visually cohesive and navigation works seamlessly. Test on multiple devices to confirm responsiveness. With VPS.DO’s high-performance VPS hosting, your site will handle traffic efficiently, ensuring fast load times and a smooth user experience.

Best Practices for One-Page Websites

• Keep Content Concise: Focus on essential information to avoid overwhelming visitors.
• Optimize for Mobile: Use responsive design to ensure compatibility across devices.
• Prioritize Speed: Leverage VPS.DO’s SSD storage and dedicated resources for fast loading.
• SEO Considerations: Use descriptive headings, alt text for images, and relevant keywords to improve search visibility, despite the single-page structure.

Conclusion

Creating a one-page website in WordPress is a straightforward process that delivers a polished, user-friendly result. By using the default Gutenberg editor and a theme like Twenty Twenty-Three, you can build an effective site without complex plugins. Hosting your site on VPS.DO ensures reliable performance, making it ideal for businesses and landing pages. Follow these steps to craft a one-page website that engages visitors and meets your goals efficiently.