Web Design
6 min read

Website vs Landing Page: What Actually Increases Leads?

Should you build a full website or focus on landing pages? A practical guide to choosing the right approach for lead generation.

I get asked this question a lot: "Do I need a full website, or can I just build a landing page?" The answer depends on your business model and goals.

The Quick Answer

  • **Landing pages** are better for specific campaigns with a single goal
  • **Websites** are better for businesses that need to build trust and explain multiple services
  • Most businesses need **both** — a website as their home base, with landing pages for campaigns

    • What's the Difference?

    Landing Page

    A single page designed for one specific action. No navigation, no distractions, just a focused message driving toward one conversion goal (sign up, book, buy).

    Best for:

  • Paid advertising campaigns
  • Product launches
  • Event registrations
  • Lead magnets
  • Testing new offers

    • Website

    A multi-page site that explains your business comprehensively. Navigation allows visitors to explore services, learn about you, read case studies, and find contact information.

    Best for:

  • Building long-term brand presence
  • SEO and organic search
  • Complex services that need explanation
  • Businesses that rely on trust
  • Companies with multiple offerings

    • When Landing Pages Win

    Landing pages typically convert 2-3x higher than website pages for specific campaigns. Why?

  • **No distractions** — Visitors can't wander off to other pages
  • **Single focus** — One message, one action
  • **Message match** — Copy can match exactly what the ad promised

    • 4. **Speed** — Often faster and simpler to build

    If you're running paid ads (Google, Facebook), landing pages almost always outperform sending traffic to your homepage.

    When Websites Win

    Websites perform better when:

  • **Trust matters** — Visitors need to research you before committing
  • **SEO is important** — Multiple pages rank for different searches
  • **Services are complex** — People need information before contacting

    • 4. **Longer sales cycle** — Visitors return multiple times before converting

    For most service businesses (plumbers, lawyers, consultants, agencies), a proper website builds the credibility needed to win work.

    The Ideal Setup

    For most small businesses, the best approach is:

  • **Core website** — Professional site explaining who you are, what you do, and why you're the right choice
  • **Service-specific landing pages** — For paid campaigns targeting specific services
  • **Location pages** — For local SEO targeting specific areas

    • This gives you the best of both worlds: organic search visibility and trust-building from the website, plus high-converting pages for campaigns.

    What to Focus on First

    If you're starting from zero:

  • Build a solid 5-10 page website first
  • Once that's driving organic traffic, add landing pages for paid campaigns
  • Test and optimise your landing pages based on data

    • Don't skip the website and go straight to landing pages — you'll miss out on long-term organic growth.

    **Need help deciding?** Book a free call and we'll recommend the right approach for your business.

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