How Many Pages Should Your Site Have? The Straight‑Forward Answer

If you’ve ever asked yourself “how many pages does my website need?”, you’re not alone. Many people think more pages = better rankings, while others fear a cluttered site. The truth sits in the middle: the right number of pages depends on your goals, audience, and the type of content you provide.

Why Page Count Matters for SEO and Users

Search engines look at the depth of a site to decide how much authority it can pass around. A handful of well‑optimized pages can rank higher than dozens of thin pages that add little value. At the same time, users expect a clear structure – they want to find what they need in three clicks or less. Balancing these two factors helps you decide when to add a new page and when to merge content.

For example, a local bedroom‑fitting business in East Yorkshire might start with a home page, a services page, a portfolio, a contact page, and a blog. That’s five core pages that cover the basics. As the business grows, adding pages for each bedroom style, a FAQ, and case studies makes sense, pushing the total toward ten or twelve without overwhelming visitors.

Practical Steps to Determine Your Ideal Page Count

1. List Your Core Topics – Write down the main subjects you want to rank for, such as "custom wardrobes" or "bedroom makeovers". Each topic usually deserves its own page.

2. Check Competitor Sites – See how many pages similar businesses have. If most competitors sit around 8‑12 pages, you’re in a good range.

3. Assess Content Depth – If a topic can be covered thoroughly in 800 words, give it a dedicated page. If it only needs a short paragraph, consider a sub‑section on a larger page instead.

4. Use Analytics – Look at your current site’s bounce rate and time on page. Pages that perform poorly might be trimmed or combined.

5. Plan for Future Growth – Draft a simple sitemap that leaves room for new services, blog categories, or seasonal offers. This prevents you from having to overhaul the site later.

By following these steps, you’ll land on a page count that feels right for both search engines and real people. Remember, quality always beats quantity. One well‑written page about "bespoke bedroom furniture" can outrank three half‑filled pages about the same keyword.

Finally, keep an eye on page speed. More pages mean more assets to load, which can slow down the user experience. Use image compression and clean code to keep your site fast, no matter how many pages you eventually add.

Bottom line: there’s no magic number that fits every website. Start with the essentials, measure performance, and expand only when you have solid content to fill each new page. That way, you’ll answer the question "how many pages?" with confidence and keep both visitors and search engines happy.