Does My Local Business Needs a Landing Page or a Website?

One question we get a lot is: do I need a website, a landing page or both? There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what a landing page even is. What you need depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Contrary to what people might have told you, a full website isn’t always necessary—landing pages can be more effective for certain goals, like getting bookings or generating leads. In this blog, I will explain all the key differences, so you will walk away with a really clear picture of what you need to grow your business online.

Website vs. landing page

A website is like the menu of a restaurant—it’s where people come to browse, get a sense of your brand, and decide if they want to engage further. Just like a physical store, your website showcases everything: your products, services, values, and even the personality of your business. It’s designed for people to explore, learn, and take their time to get to know you. Customers can read about what you do, check out your blog, explore testimonials, or learn about your team. It’s all about long-term relationship-building and brand presence.

Your landing page, on the other hand, is more like a focused, direct sales pitch. Imagine someone walking into your store and immediately being shown an incredible deal on a product or service. The landing page is focused, purposeful, and has a single goal in mind: to convert visitors into customers or leads. It’s stripped down, removing any distractions or extra content, so people can quickly understand the value you’re offering and take action—whether that’s booking an appointment, filling out a form, or buying a product.

Where your website offers the full experience, your landing page zeroes in on one specific action or message. It doesn’t have the extra navigation menus, blog posts, or multiple product options that can pull attention away. Instead, it’s designed for a straightforward conversion—with one clear goal, and a laser focus on driving results.

Website

A website is like inviting people into your coffee shop, where they can wander around and explore everything you offer. Think of it as a full tour. Your website tells your whole story: who you are, what you serve, and why your coffee is the best in town. It’s where people can learn about your hours, menu, location, and even read about how your beans are ethically sourced from a small farm in Guatemala.

In other words, your website is the complete experience. It’s designed for visitors to find all the information they need, who you are, what you do and why you do it. It answers common questins the user might have - for example, your opening hour. A good website should also encourage the user to take action, such as making a purchase or an enquiry.

When Do You Need a Website?

A website is essential when your want to offer a complete digital experience. You should have a website if:

• You Offer Multiple Services/Products: For businesses like restaurants or stores, where customers need to browse a variety of options or make online orders, a website gives them space to explore.
• You Need to Build Trust: Industries like legal services or healthcare benefit from websites where you can share your story, client testimonials, and showcase your team.
• You Provide Detailed Information: If your customers need more information—pricing, product details, or educational resources—before making a decision, a website can organize this without overwhelming them.
• You Have Ongoing Content: Planning to blog or share updates? A website is the best place for regular content and helps with SEO.
• You Need Special Features: If your business requires booking systems, e-commerce, or customer portals, a website offers the functionality that landing pages can’t handle.

The Most Common Mistake: Websites Can Be Overwhelming

Most local businesses do more harm then good with the website. They fall into the trap of thinking they need a website, but they end up with a cluttered, confusing mess. A lot of business websites are overloaded with information, making it hard for visitors to figure out what to do next. Imagine signing up for a guided coffee tour, but the guide gives you five different maps and says, “Pick a route!” You would get frustrated and leave. That’s what happens when a website is overloaded with information—visitors don’t know where to go next. Do they check your services, read your blog, or explore your about page? Too many options lead to decision fatigue, and with people’s short attention spans, they often leave without doing anything.

Landing page

A landing page is walking into that same coffee shop but with one clear sign that says, “Today’s Special: Pumpkin Spice Latte—Order Now!” No distractions, no extra clutter—just a simple message with a clear call to action. The biggest misconception about landing pages is they’re just a cheap, stripped-down version of a website, but that’s far from the truth. Landing pages are a focused page, guiding visitors toward one specific action, like ordering that perfect latte.

Landing pages don’t distract visitors with extra options like blogs or bios—they stick to one message and one call to action. Want to know what elements you need to create a landing page that converts? Click here, thuis guide will explain it all.

When Should You Use a Landing Page?

Landing pages are perfect for:

• ‍Promotions or Special Offers: Have a limited-time discount or an exclusive offer? Use a landing page to drive visitors directly to that deal without distractions.‍
• Capturing Leads: If your goal is to collect email addresses or sign-ups for a service, a landing page makes it easy for visitors to take that step.‍
• Advertising Campaigns: When you run a Facebook or Google ad, sending traffic to a landing page ensures the ad is aligned with the page’s message, increasing the chances of conversion.

Key Differences Between Websites and Landing Pages

Your website is for visitors who want to learn about your business, while a landing page is designed to push them to take action—like booking a table for brunch or signing up for a coffee subscription. Both serve a purpose, but they’re very different in how they guide your customers.

Purpose:‍

• Website: Introduces your brand and provides general information.
• Landing Page: Focused on driving a specific action, like capturing leads or making sales.

Content:‍

• Website: Contains multiple pages with information, services, and blog posts.
• Landing Page: Single page with a clear message and call to action.

Navigation:

• Website: Full navigation menu for browsing different areas.
• Landing Page: No navigation, keeping the focus on one action.

Use Case:‍

• Website: Best for showcasing your brand, products, and services.
• Landing Page: Ideal for targeted campaigns or promotions.

SEO Impact:

• Website: Designed to bring in organic traffic over time.
• Landing Page: Focused on short-term conversions rather than long-term SEO.

What Should You Choose?

Choosing between a website and a landing page can feel like deciding what coffee to order. Sometimes, you’re in the mood to sit down, relax, and enjoy the whole experience (website), while other times you just want a quick shot of espresso to go (landing page). Here’s a quick guide to help you decide which one is right for your business, using our coffee shop analogy:

1. Do you need to showcase everything your business offers?

If yes, you’re better off with a website. This is your full menu—great for showing your services, answering FAQs, and giving potential customers a comprehensive look at who you are.

2. Are you promoting a specific offer, like a seasonal discount or limited-time deal?‍

If yes, a landing page is your go-to. It’s like advertising a special deal right at the register—focused, clear, and perfect for conversions.

3. Do you want to drive organic traffic and boost your SEO as a long term strategy?

Go with a website. A well-structured website can boost your search rankings over time, helping people find you when they’re searching for local businesses like yours.

4. Are you running a paid ad campaign to drive immediate results?

A landing page will deliver faster results. Just like offering a free coffee with every breakfast purchase, it cuts straight to the point and gets people to take action now.

5. Are you short on time and just want a quick, easy way to capture leads?

You need a landing page. It’s simple, effective, and gets the job done without overwhelming you or your customers.

6. Do you want to build a long-term relationship with your customers, providing ongoing information and updates?

This is where a website shines. It’s your place to nurture those relationships and keep people coming back for more.

When Do You Need Both?

Much like offering both sit-in and takeaway options at your coffee shop, having both a website and landing pages gives you the best of both worlds. Your website serves as the long-term hub for all your information—your regular menu, opening hours, blog posts, and more. Landing pages work as your promotional tools, designed for specific campaigns that require immediate action, like “Order Now” or “Claim Your Free Trial", where you can promote specific products or services.

For example, let’s say your coffee shop website features all your services and allows customers to browse. But if you’re running a special campaign—like offering a free coffee with every breakfast order—you’d drive paid traffic directly to a landing page dedicated to that offer. The landing page has one clear goal: get the visitor to claim the deal.

Microsites: The Middle Ground

If after reading this blog a full website feels too broad and a landing page seems too focused, a microsite will be the perfect middle ground for your business. Think of a microsite like a special stand inside your coffee shop that’s set up just to promote a seasonal drink or event. It’s not your full coffee shop (the website), but it offers more details than just a simple sign (the landing page). The microsite could include multiple pages with information about the special drink, ingredients, customer reviews, and maybe even a “how it’s made” video.

Unlike a traditional website, a microsite doesn’t cover everything your business does. Instead, it focuses on one part of your business, often with a few interconnected pages like an About section, product details, and testimonials. Microsites allow you to provide a richer, more detailed experience than a landing page, without the complexity of a full website.

Microsites also work well for SEO, especially if you’re running a marketing campaign that targets niche keywords or seasonal content. They’re focused and user-friendly while offering more space for creativity than a landing page, making them a flexible option for businesses wanting to highlight something specific.

Conclusion

When deciding between a website and a landing page, it’s important to know what your business needs most. A website is perfect for building long-term relationships, offering information, and establishing your brand’s presence online. It’s like your storefront, where people can browse, learn, and explore everything you offer. A landing page, on the other hand, is your go-to for specific campaigns, promotions, and generating leads. It’s designed to drive action with one clear goal in mind. For many businesses, using both together provides the best results—your website serves as the foundation, while your landing pages act as focused conversion tools. Understanding when to use each will help you build an effective digital strategy and grow your business online.