Website vs. Landing Page: Where Should You Start?

Introduction

If you're starting a business or launching a new offer, you've likely asked yourself: should I build a full website or just create a landing page? It’s a common question especially for startups or small business owners who want to make an impact online without wasting time or money.

Both a website and a landing page can play vital roles in your digital presence, but they serve very different purposes. Choosing the right one depends on your goals, your audience, and where you are in your journey.

In this article we’ll break down the key differences between a website and a landing page, help you understand which one is the better starting point, and offer practical guidance backed by leading sources like (Wix, HubSpot, and Unbounce).

By the end, you’ll know exactly where to begin whether you're validating a new idea or laying the foundation for a lasting brand.

1. What’s the Difference Between a Website and a Landing Page?

Both websites and landing pages are powerful tools for getting your business online, but they serve different purposes and are best suited to different stages of your growth.

• A website is a multi-page digital presence designed to tell your brand story, explain your services, and build long-term credibility.

  
  

• A landing page is a single, goal-driven page focused on one message or action, ideal for campaigns, lead generation, or testing a new idea.

At 53 Degrees North, we help small businesses choose the right starting point based on their goals, budget, and speed to launch. You don’t have to build everything at once, what matters is building what’s right for you, right now.

2. Key Differences at a Glance

Here’s a breakdown of the main differences between a website and a landing page:

Purpose and Focus

• Website: Provides a broad overview of your brand, story, and services. Great for building trust and authority.

  
  

• Landing Page: Tailored to a specific campaign or offer. Great for driving conversions like sign-ups, sales, or bookings.
  
  

Design and Navigation

• Website: Includes navigation menus and multiple pages. Offers visitors freedom to explore and learn more.

  
  

• Landing Page: Stripped back and focused. Often has no menu or external links to minimise distractions and guide the visitor toward a clear call to action.
  
  

Audience Targeting

• Website: Speaks to a wide audience—returning customers, prospects, partners, or media.

  
  

• Landing Page: Designed for a specific segment or action, such as people clicking on an ad for a limited-time offer.
  
  

SEO and Longevity

• Website: Ideal for building search engine visibility through regular updates, blogs, and keyword-optimised content.

  
  

• Landing Page: Better suited for short-term campaigns or paid traffic. It’s unlikely to rank well on its own, but effective when speed and focus are more important than organic growth.
  
  

3. When Should You Start with a Landing Page?

Starting with a landing page makes sense if you want to get results quickly, test an idea, or validate your offer.

You might choose a landing page if you are:

• Running a paid advertising campaign and want to send traffic to a focused destination

  
  

• Launching a product or service and need a dedicated page to showcase it

  
  

• Offering a lead magnet, such as a free guide, webinar, or email course to build your email list

  
  

• Conducting A/B testing to see what messaging or offer converts best

  
  

Landing pages are faster to build, more affordable, and easier to tweak than full websites. We often create these as a low-risk, high-impact starting point for clients looking for quick wins or return on investment.

4. When Should You Start with a Website?

A full website is the right move when you want to build a lasting online presence with flexibility to grow and evolve.

You’ll likely need a website if you are:

• Building your brand identity and want a professional platform to reflect it

  
  

• Offering multiple services and need space to explain each one in depth

  
  

• Planning to invest in content marketing or grow your organic SEO

  
  

• Running a service-based business that needs credibility and contact functionality

  
  

• Launching an e-commerce store with multiple products or payment options

  
  

A website allows for deeper engagement, stronger storytelling, and better long-term visibility. It’s your digital home something we design and build with care to ensure it works harder for your business while you focus on delivering value to your customers.

5. Pros and Cons of Each Approach

Here’s a quick overview of the advantages and potential drawbacks of landing pages and websites:

Advantages of Landing Pages

• Faster to build and launch – often within days

  
  

• Ideal for single offers or campaigns

  
  

• Designed to drive specific actions (e.g. sign-ups, bookings)

  
  

• Easier to test and iterate based on performance

  
  

Advantages of Websites

• Builds long-term credibility and trust

  
  

• Supports multiple services and content types

  
  

• Better suited for organic SEO and content marketing

  
  

• Enables a fuller brand experience with more flexibility

  
  

Potential Drawbacks

• Landing Pages: Limited scope, poor for SEO, not ideal for growing businesses over time

  
  

• Websites: Higher upfront cost and longer setup time, which may delay launch

At 53 Degrees North, we help clients weigh up these pros and cons based on where they are today and where they want to go next.

6. Real-World Examples or Use Cases

Sometimes the best way to decide is to see how others have done it.

Example 1: The Business Coach

A leadership coach wants to host a free webinar to grow her email list. Rather than build a full site, she launches a simple landing page with an event description, date, and sign-up form. It’s focused, fast, and converts well through her LinkedIn ads.

Example 2: The New Café

A family-run café is opening in town. They need to showcase their menu, opening hours, location, and photos. A full website gives them a home for Google searches, directions, and even future bookings or events.

We help businesses like these every day, using practical strategies to match their needs and resources.

7. Can You Use Both?

Absolutely. In fact, many businesses benefit from using both a website and landing pages together.

For example, you might have a website that explains your services and story—while running targeted landing pages for each campaign or offer. They can work side by side to help you reach specific goals without overwhelming your main site.

A Phased Approach That Works

If you’re just starting out, we often recommend:

1. Launching with a landing page to validate your offer or capture leads

2. Building a full website when your business is ready to scale or offer more

We design both at 53 Degrees North, ensuring you don’t need to choose between them—you just need to start where it makes sense.

8. Final Verdict: Where Should You Start?

Here’s the bottom line:

• Need something fast for one offer? Start with a landing page.

• Want to build your brand online for the long run? Invest in a full website.
  
  

✅ Simple Decision Checklist

Still unsure? We’ll help you figure it out. Book a free consultation at 53 Degrees North, and we’ll work through your goals together.

9. Bonus: Tools to Help You Get Started

If you’re ready to take the next step, here are some beginner-friendly tools you can explore:

Landing Page Tools

• Carrd – lightweight and easy to use

• Unbounce – more advanced A/B testing features

• MailerLite – includes landing pages with email automation

Website Builders

• Wix – user-friendly and design-focused

• WordPress – flexible with great plugin support

• Squarespace – polished templates and great for creatives

Or skip the DIY route. At 53 Degrees North, we help you launch faster, look more professional, and focus on growing your business—not fiddling with settings.

Conclusion: Build the Right Foundation for Your Business

Whether you're launching a new product, testing a business idea, or laying the groundwork for long-term success, both landing pages and websites have their place.

• Landing pages offer speed, simplicity, and focus for specific campaigns or quick wins.

• Websites offer depth, credibility, and long-term flexibility for growing your brand.

The right choice depends on where you are in your journey—and what you need your online presence to do right now.

At 53 Degrees North, we help startups and small businesses make smart, strategic choices with their online presence. Whether you want to start small or go all in, we’ll guide you with honesty, clarity, and experience.

👉 Book a free consultation today to explore what’s right for you.

FAQs: Websites vs Landing Pages

1. Can I start with a landing page and add a full website later?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, this phased approach is ideal for many small businesses. You can validate your offer, build a list, and launch quickly—then expand into a full website when you're ready. We offer both options at 53 Degrees North.

2. Will a landing page show up on Google?

A basic landing page can be indexed by Google, but it’s not ideal for long-term search engine visibility. If SEO is important for your business, a full website with optimised content is the better route.

3. Which is cheaper, landing page or website?

Landing pages are cheaper and faster to launch. Websites require more planning, content, and design work, but offer better value in the long run. We’ll walk you through the cost vs benefit of both.

4. Can I include a contact form on a landing page?

Yes, most landing pages are built around forms, sign-ups, lead captures, bookings, etc. If your goal is to gather information or generate leads, a landing page is often the best tool.

5. I’m not tech-savvy. Can you do this all for me?

Of course! That’s what we’re here for. At 53 Degrees North we design, build, and support websites and landing pages so you can focus on your business, not on learning tech!