Microsites Vs Landing Pages Vs Squeeze Pages Vs Website

Each company have different goals when reaching and connecting with their audience. That’s what makes it harder for marketers to adapt to business needs and then act accordingly. One of the decisions that marketers need to make is a choice between microsites and landing pages.

Microsites Vs Landing Pages vs Squeeze Pages (Capture Page) Vs Website

This article will explore the core differences between two important ideas: microsites and landing pages. By the end of the article, you should understand each and know when to use them in your marketing strategy.

Both microsite and landing page is a way to connect to your audience, but each one of them offers a different purpose. Let’s get started.

What is a Microsite?

It is more likely that you have never heard about microsites. However, for beginners, a microsite may sound similar to a landing page. The internet is also full of different explanations on what a microsite is and what it can do.

Microsites are designed to perform separately from the main site. However, they do offer branded content but are not linked to the company’s home page or the brand’s URL.

Moreover, microsites are designed to have their own navigation, content, and design. Microsites, as the name suggests, are also small in terms of pages. In most cases, they range from one to three pages.

But, what’s it mainly used for? Businesses can utilize microsites to cater to a particular campaign or event. They can also use it for marketing their new product or service or simply meeting specific users’ requirements.

In short, we can summarize microsites as following:

• Microsites are utilized to target specific requirements, campaigns, or purposes.
• They can be temporary.
• They are mostly one to three pages and hence smaller compared to the company’s main sites.
• They generally are not part of the company’s leading site and work independently.

What is a landing page?

A landing page is a more tightly focused page that tries to persuade users to take action. The landing pages are designed so that users take action. The action can be anything, including downloading an ebook, subscribing to a service, or signing up for a newsletter.

Compared to a traditional website or a microsite, a landing page lacks website navigation. It is done to ensure that the user does not sway away from the page, defeating its purpose. Moreover, landing pages are also not connected to the main website of any company.

In short, we can summarize the landing page as follows:

• Landing pages are hyper-focused around one objective.
• The objective is to ensure that the user takes action.
• There are no navigational elements on a landing page.
• The landing page is just one page.

Difference between microsites and landing pages

From an eagle-eye view, you may find landing pages and microsites similar to each other. However, there are some fundamental differences between the two.

The first major difference worth noticing about them is the number of pages. Microsites are generally one to three pages. Landing pages, on the other hand, are strictly one-page sites.

Another big difference is the purpose of each type of website. Microsites can be utilized for a diverse need required for running a campaign. However, a landing page is always designed around the user and makes them take action. In a broader sense, Microsites are also designed to bring value to the user, but not strictly to take action.

Both landing pages and microsites are useful in their own way. To better understand, let’s go through the pros and cons of landing pages and microsites.

Pros and cons of microsites

To better understand microsites, you need to take a look at your main website and landing page. The main websites are designed to tackle a wide variety of users. On the other hand, landing pages are designed to grab users’ attention and encourage them to complete an action.

You can think of microsites as a marketing tool that sits between traditional sites and landing pages.

Microsites are mostly information in nature where they inform the user about something with credible links, content, and images. Once they gain the user’s trust, they can then divert the user’s attention and then show them a well-designed call-to-action. This may sound similar to landing pages, but microsites are generally more open in their approach as they are willing to let users go to other sites. This open nature also means that microsites are not great for conversion. One of the prime examples of microsites is the Red Bull-owned site: The Red Bulletin.

Microsites do have some drawbacks. For instance, it takes a lot more time to create a microsite compared to a landing page. Also, you cannot expect microsites to perform well when it comes to conversions. Apart from that, microsites can take a good amount of time and budget to manage.

In conclusion, you should only use microsites for sharing information with your users and brand awareness.

Pros and cons of landing pages

Next, we have landing pages. Landing pages are solely crafted with conversion in mind. If you want to convert leads into customers, then you need to use a landing page. That makes the landing pages a different category of pages where you need to use different tactics to create them.

At the core, you will use testimonials, facts, and persuasive content to persuade your audience to do an action. Almost every online business have one or more landing page. Big companies such as Microsoft, Salesforce, Apple, and others also invest heavily in landing pages.

Landing pages are quick to create as they are single-page. However, crafting content for the landing page can take some time effort as you need to write very carefully using copywriting techniques.

Similar to microsites, landing pages also come with some drawbacks. These drawbacks include:

• Inability to provide value to the visitors or engage them with information
• Persuasive content may get totally rejected by some visitors who seek information

When to use: Microsites and landing pages

Both microsite and landing page have their own benefits. As a business, your job is to learn about your requirement and carefully understand what fits the best. It is better to use a landing page for a more purposeful user’s targeting as it lets you create a fine-tuned, highly converting web page. If you are looking to engage your audience in a more informal way and don’t want it to be part of your main campaign/site, microsites are the way to go.

Also, you do not have to make just one choice. You are free to create both microsites and landing pages. In case you are limited with the budget, then go forward with one that lets you meet your goals better. In any case, always use microsites to improve brand awareness and use landing pages when you need to convert your visitors.

Both microsites and landing pages can take quite a budget. In general, landing pages can cost more compared to microsites, even when it is just a single-page website. Also, you may need to hire different experts when working on a microsite or landing page. If you are on a limited budget, you can opt for a content management system such as WordPress to create your microsite. In the case of landing pages, there are multiple landing page creators such as Instapage, Unbounce, ConvertKit, etc.

Squeeze Pages Vs Website

Before diving into something you must get adequate knowledge of the field. If you are confused between the squeeze page vs website, then we are here to help you.

In this article we will dig deep and make sure that you understand everything. We will cover every aspect of this subject (Squeeze Pages vs Website) with examples.

What is a Squeeze Page?

A Squeeze page is a type of landing page. It is used to “squeeze” emails from its users/visitors by offering them some incentive in return. The email list gathered is then used to convert visitors into subscribers. It can also be used for email marketing purposes.

It must be noted that the incentive provided to the visitors should justify the need for getting an email address.

While designing a squeeze page make sure your page is convincing enough but not too pushy. It is a psychological marketing tactic to lure visitors into the marketing funnel.

To put it simply when you are scrolling a website and suddenly a pop-up page appears with some offer asking for your email.

That is actually a squeeze page but keep in mind that squeeze page is not always a pop-up. It can be designed in several different ways

Pros and Cons of Squeeze Page

Everything has its own pros and cons. Similarly, no doubt squeeze pages are a good starting point for making conversions.

But they may also have some negative effect on your website if not used properly. You should have in-depth knowledge so that you can use it while minimizing the harm.

Pros:

• Best for email marketing
• Easy to implement
• High conversion rate
• Better for User Experience
• Entice the user for CTA

Cons:

• Considered spammy if not used properly
• Lowers website visibility
• Can be annoying when used on every page

Squeeze Page Features

Squeeze landing pages have some features that distinguish them from any other landing page or website. You have to keep the content to a minimum and focus on getting the email for the users.

In marketing you must justify your means for getting someone’s email. In order to do so different features can be added. And incentives like free eBook, downloads, tools, and reports/audits are provided.

We have gathered a list of features/elements that can be added for creating an engaging and successful squeeze page.

1. Visually appealing images
2. Highlighted benefits
3. Persuasive CTA button
4. Limited time offers with expiration
5. Convincing copy in bulleted form
6. Catchy headline
7. Testimonials and reviews
8. Teaser video

You can use a combination of the features/elements mentioned above depending upon your website niche. Remember that your design should be eye-catching but not annoying.

Squeeze Page Examples

Now we will give you some good examples of squeeze pages and highlight what it is a good example. We will also be discussing what could be improved and what distinguishing features a page has included.

Forbes Squeeze Page Example:

Why is it a good example?

• Their copy is short and persuasive. They are using key terms Free, Premium and Exclusive to convince the readers.
• Good combination of colors is used in contrast that highlights the CTA (Call-To-Action) button.
• They have shown the benefits in bullet points to catch the reader’s attention.

What can be improved?

• Testimonials or reviews from their users can be displayed to increase visitor’s trust. They can also use some of their client badges.

AUTHENTIK Squeeze Page Example:

Why is it a good example?

• They get straight to the point without waiting for the time of the visitors. And they are using very unique yet attractive color contrast.
• They are boosting the trust by showing how many people have downloaded this guide. Before giving the access, they are getting the permission from visitors exclusively for using their emails.

What can be improved?

• A small copy in the form of bullets would be a plus along with some testimonials from their current clients.

Marie B-School Squeeze Page Example

Why is it a good example?

• It has an eye-catching call to action button with color contrast and uses a good quality image.
• Their web copy is short, well written and explains all the pros of getting registered with them. “Tell Me More” is a good CTA as it seems to show more advantages.
• It clearly tells its visitors that they are currently closed for registration. But if they submit their details they’ll be informed as soon as next enrollment begins.

What can be improved?

• Just the email address could be enough. The name field is not much necessary, and the headline could be more convincing.

Squeeze Page Builder

If you are not interested in building a custom squeeze page, then you can opt for Squeeze page builder as well. You can’t just say that building a custom page would be preferable.

Because nowadays page builders are also offering complete customization. We have gathered a list of Squeeze Page Builders that you can use along with their specifications.

LeadPages:

1. Offers you with more than 120 standard templates which are professionally designed. It also has 130 plus drag and drop elements and templates for designing your landing page.
2. Comes with a free trial period of 14 days and then you have to get paid access. It provides adequate customization options to start with.

InstaPage:

1. It is very designer friendly and uses a cloud service. Offering you with more than 100 pre-built templates for landing pages. InstaPage gives a wide variety of elements to be used as drag and drop with customization.
2. You can start using it with a 14 days trial period which is free and then costs $69 every month.

Squeeze Pages for WordPress

As we are aware that WordPress website users are increasing day by day. So, we have some recommendations of squeeze page builders that you can use for WordPress websites.

Thrive Landing Pages:

• It is a premium plugin which allows drag and drop page builder services. It has around 160 templates of landing pages specifically dedicated for squeeze pages.
• You would get a look of a customized page within minutes. It costs you $69 per month for each website.

OptIn Ninja (Ultimate Squeeze Page Generator):

• It is a very economical option for using a WordPress page builder as it costs only $15. It allows you to create 2 types of squeeze pages either pop-ups or stand alone.
• OptIn Ninja can also be integrated with Facebook Connect. It comes with more than twenty templates focused on building squeeze pages.

Squeeze Pages Meaning

Squeeze page refers to the type of landing page meant for getting email addresses from the visitors. It is done by offering some lead magnet (benefit for providing email). Benefit could be a free download or trial. Emails are then used for marketing objectives.

What Is Website

A website is basically a digital space on the Internet that contains information that everyone can obtain. It sounds simple, and it is!

Every website is made up of various documents containing text, photos and videos. Which are carefully organized so that it can attract the attention of the visitor. Each of these documents is called a web page.

It is a collection of web pages that are grouped and connected to each other. Websites are used by public and private institutions, organizations, and individuals.

To communicate with the entire world. In the case of companies, this message has to do with the offer of their goods and services through the Internet. In general, a website is created to be efficient in their marketing functions.

Pros and Cons of a Website

Now we’ll list down some advantages and disadvantages of having a website. It will help you see a clear picture of why you should have a website.

Pros:

• Increase your sales
• Increase the reach of your business
• Allows you to sell online
• Improve your brand image
• Improve visibility & customer service

Cons:

• Possibility of security holes that can compromise your site. Especially if we are not updated with the latest versions
• Server migration is difficult
• Time and knowledge are required to keep your website up to date

Features of a Website

Before starting your own website, you must know which features you should include to make your website successful. We have listed down some core features that you can use:

1. Visuals of your product/service along with description
2. Easy to navigate
3. Authoritative and relevant content on your website
4. Trendy and visually appealing user-friendly design
5. Blog for communicating with your visitors
6. Navigation to your social media accounts from website

If your website has all the features mentioned above it will help you stand out from the crowd. Eventually increasing your brand awareness and visibility.

Examples of a Website

Any URL/address of the internet is a website. When you search any query on the web a lot of website’s are shown as a result such as “example.com”. Other website example include:

• Amazon.com
• Yahoo.com
• Wikipedia.org

Website Builder

Website builders help you create/design your website within minutes without having to code. You can simply drag and drop elements and then customize them according to your needs.

There are a lot of website builders available in the market and we have listed the best ones for you.

1. Wix
2. WordPress
3. Weebly
4. Shopify
5. Squarespace

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sometimes microsites are used for keeping additional information and then linked back to the main site.

You can also hire a development company to manage your projects under one roof. The choice is yours!

So, what are you going to choose for your next marketing project? Will it be a microsite or a landing page? Comment below and let us know.