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What’s A Web Page? A Beginner’s Guide

By Kristie Parker

When clients call us, they’re typically not dying to spend hours discussing web pages and SMT records. 

You have a business to run and a life to live and let’s be honest: you think making a website is more boring than watching golf on tv – and that’s perfectly okay. 

We’re not the least bit offended. 

In fact, we’re here to take that chore off your plate.

But, before we can roll up our sleeves and get to work, we need a bit of homework from you. 

The big question we need you to answer is: what pages do you want on your website? Sounds simple, but it’s often where folks hit a snag.

Keep in mind, designers charge per page, so let’s figure out the must-haves without overspending.

Think of it like calling a caterer for a party. You don’t need to know how to bake the cake, but you do need to tell us what flavors you like.

To make this easy, we’ve put together a short, straightforward guide. 

It’s designed to help you identify the pages your website needs. Once you’ve got that sorted, we’ll work our website magic.

Whether you’re building a new site or refining an existing one, a clear understanding of web pages is key to creating an online experience that welcomes and engages your visitors. 

Let me explain…

In This Post

Section 1. Web Pages: What You Need to Know to Get Started

What is a web page?

A web page is essentially a distinct section of your website, each one presenting its own unique content and purpose. 

For example, ‘yourbusiness.com/contact’ is one web page, specifically designed for visitors to reach out to you. It’s where you’d typically find contact forms, your email address, and your phone number.

On the other hand, ‘yourbusiness.com/about’ is a completely different web page. This is where you tell your story: who you are, what your business does, and what values you stand for. It helps people understand your brand and mission.

The part of the URL that changes after ‘yourbusiness.com/’ indicates which web page you’re on. 

Your pages work together to create a cohesive online experience, allowing visitors to navigate and interact with different aspects of your business effortlessly.

Section 2: The Role of URLs

URLs are essentially the addresses of web pages.  Think of them as the GPS coordinates for finding different content on the internet. Each time you navigate to a new page on a site, the URL changes, taking you to a new location.
Graphic showing the difference between a website's home URL and a website's page URL in Tampa Florida

For example, when you’re on the homepage of a website, the URL might be simple, like ‘yourbusiness.com’. 

But when you click on the Portfolio page, the URL transforms to ‘yourbusiness.com/portfolio’. 

This small change in the URL is your cue that you’ve moved to a different page. 

Understanding URLs is key to navigating the web efficiently. You can quickly identify where you are on a site, and if you know the specific URL, you can jump directly to the page you need, bypassing the need to search through the site’s navigation. 

Section 3. Navigating Menus and Dropdowns

Menus and dropdowns on a website are like signs at the airport. They help you find what you’re looking for. But here’s a twist: not all pages are always listed in the menu.

Demonstration of a drop down menu on the website Bungalow Web Design in Tampa, FL

But there’s a twist: not all pages are always listed in the menu.

Below is an example from our own website. We created this page for local clients in Tampa. It’s tailored for those nearby who might want in-person services. 

Since it’s region-specific, it doesn’t appear in the main menu. It’s discoverable mainly through search engines by people typing something like “web designer in Tampa”.

A graphic showing how a particular page has information that’s only relevant to a target audience, people who work in and around Tampa, FL.

This page has information that’s only relevant to a target audience, people who work in and around Tampa, FL.

Why keep some pages off the menu? Here are a few reasons:

  • User Experience and Navigation Simplicity. Long menus can be overwhelming. To avoid this, only key pages are highlighted, making the website easier to navigate.
  • Blog Post Management. Although blogs are essential for engagement and SEO, they're not listed individually in the main menu. Typically, they're grouped under a 'Blog' or 'News' section. This organization prevents menu clutter and keeps the user experience smooth.
  • E-commerce Site Organization. For online stores, listing every product in the menu would be chaotic. Instead, items are grouped under categories like 'Jewelry', 'Clothing', etc.
Graphic showing an e commerce page example for instance, under “Jewelry”, you might see sub-categories like 'Necklaces', 'Earrings', 'Bracelets', and 'Rings'. It's a clean, organized approach.

For instance, under “Jewelry”, you might see sub-categories like ‘Necklaces’, ‘Earrings’, ‘Bracelets’, and ‘Rings’. It’s a clean, organized approach.

Screenshot of an e-commerce website in Tampa, Florida showing the different page that opens when clicking an individual item. In this case a bracelet.

Clicking on ‘Bracelets’ leads to a page with 20 bracelet designs. Each one of those has its own dedicated page with detailed information.

A screenshot example of the hidden layers of menus and dropdowns. They organize the depth of a website without overwhelming the visitor at first glance. Located in Tampa, Florida.

This is an example of the hidden layers of menus and dropdowns. They organize the depth of a website without overwhelming the visitor at first glance.

Section 4. Grouped Content vs. Service Pages

Sometimes, several related topics comfortably share a single page. A common example is a “Services” page that groups multiple offerings in one spot. 

Graphic of a web page shwoing that sometimes, several related topics comfortably share a single page. A common example is a "Services" page that groups multiple offerings in one spot. 

On this “Services” page, different services are categorized and presented together. This grouping allows visitors to see all options at a glance without the need to navigate back and forth between multiple pages.

This approach differs from having a separate page for each service, where the focus is on in-depth information for one specific offering. Separate pages are useful when each service requires a lot of detailed explanations, benefits, case studies, and testimonials.

Screenshot of a therapist website in Tampa, Florida showing a drop down menu and how grouped content on a single page offers a bird's-eye view of various related topics, and separate pages provide a deep dive into each individual topic. 

This therapist’s website offers a page dedicated to each of his specialties. 

Grouped content on a single page offers a bird’s-eye view of various related topics, and separate pages provide a deep dive into each individual topic. 

The choice between these approaches depends on the amount of information you want to convey and how you want your visitors to experience your website.

Section 5. Beyond the Menu: Finding Hidden Pages

Now that you know not all pages are listed in the main menu how do you find them?

One reliable method is to explore the site map. It’s often found in the website’s footer and acts like an index, listing every page, even those not highlighted in the main menu. Think of it as a neatly organized guide to the website’s content.

Footers themselves are goldmines of information. These might include detailed FAQs, specific policies, or niche services that don’t get top billing but are crucial in their own right.

Landing Pages

Landing pages are set up for a specific purpose and not always included in the main directory. You typically find them through direct marketing routes – an email link, a social media ad, or a direct Google search. They’re focused, purpose-driven, and designed for specific campaigns or offers.

When I googled, “accounting software for small businesses”. This landing page was one of the top search results. It’s a paid ad with no menu and one call to action, “Get Your Product Tour Today.” 

Graphic of a landing page which was one of the top search results. It’s a paid ad with no menu and one call to action, “Get Your Product Tour Today.” 

Apart from these, keep an eye out for direct links in blog posts or articles. Sometimes, they lead to specialized pages that offer more detailed information on a topic, acting as a gateway to these lesser-known sections of the site.

In essence, while the main menu gives you the grand tour, these other elements – site maps, footers, direct links in content, and targeted landing pages – provide a more detailed exploration of a website. 

Section 6. Tips on Choosing Your Web Pages

When you throw a party you want your guests to have a great time, find the snacks easily, and not get lost on their way to the restroom. A well-structured website is just like that: inviting, easy to navigate, and user-friendly.

First tip: Keep your menu tidy. You want to entice your visitors with the best stuff without overwhelming them. Stick to the essentials. Make sure your menu leads visitors to your key pages, like ‘Home’, ‘About’, ‘Services’, ‘Contact’. It’s your first impression, so make it count.

Next, think about the flow. If someone’s checking out your services, it makes sense to have an easy link to your contact page – like a “Get a Free Quote” button right there.

Lastly, remember the hidden pages – the ones not in the main menu. Make sure they’re still accessible, maybe through your footer or as links in your blog posts. It’s like telling your website visitors, “Hey, there’s more if you’re interested.”

Keep your website’s navigation straightforward and intuitive. A well-structured site not only helps your visitors find what they need but also makes them want to stick around. And the more time they spend on your website, the more Google gets notified that people are finding valuable content there, which makes search engines more likely to recommend your site to even more people.  

7. Look at Your Web Pages Through the Eyes of a Customer

As you map out your website, think about the paths you want your customers to take. Keep your menus clear and your pages well-organized. And don’t forget about the pages that might not make the main menu but still matter.

So, take a fresh look at your website. 

Is it easy to navigate? 

Does it guide your customers smoothly from one page to the next? 

If not, what can you add or change to make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily?

Picture of Kristie Parker

Kristie Parker

Kristie is the co-owner of Bungalow Web Design. She pretends to be a real adult by writing copy for small business websites from her actual bungalow in Tampa, Florida. When she's not web designing, you can find her in the gym, air frying something, or tucking into a Joyce Carol Oates novel with a dirty martini and orange cat nearby.

Picture of Kristie Parker

Kristie Parker

Kristie is the co-owner of Bungalow Web Design. She pretends to be a real adult by writing copy for small business websites from her actual bungalow in Tampa, Florida. When she's not web designing, you can find her in the gym, air frying something, or tucking into a Joyce Carol Oates novel with a dirty martini and orange cat nearby.

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