[GTM glossary](/glossary.txt) Microsite Marketing # Microsite In short A microsite is a small standalone website, or a tightly scoped group of pages, created for a single purpose such as a campaign, product launch, event, or research report. It usually lives on its own domain or subdomain and has its own design and message. Unlike a landing page, which is one page with one conversion action, a microsite has several pages and a navigation path. Unlike the main website, it ignores everything outside its topic so visitors stay focused on one idea. ## When a microsite makes sense * **Campaign hubs:** Gather a report, webinar, and calculator in one place. * **Events:** Show agenda, speakers, and registration without cluttering the main site. * **Distinct brands or products:** Give a new offering its own identity before it is ready for the main site. * **Interactive tools:** Host a quiz, assessment, or benchmark tool. --- ## Microsite vs. landing page A landing page is a single page built to drive one action, like a form fill. A microsite spreads a topic across several pages. If one page and one form can do the job, a landing page is cheaper and easier to maintain. --- ## How to build one * **Set one goal:** Define the single outcome, such as registrations or demo requests. * **Plan the pages:** Keep it to the few pages the story needs. * **Decide on hosting:** A subdomain shares some search authority with the main site; a new domain starts from zero. * **Link back:** Connect to the main site so visitors can learn more and so search engines see the relationship. * **Plan the end date:** Decide upfront whether it will be maintained, redirected, or archived. --- ## Common mistakes * **Splitting search authority:** A separate domain gets no benefit from your main site links. * **No promotion plan:** A microsite does not attract traffic by itself; it needs email, ads, or social support. * **Abandoning it:** Old microsites with outdated content hurt credibility. * **Too many pages:** If visitors cannot see the point in seconds, simplify. --- ## Microsite FAQs **What is a microsite?** A microsite is a small, separate website or page group built for one campaign, product, or event. It has its own focused content and design, and usually its own domain or subdomain, instead of sitting inside the main company site navigation. **What is the difference between a microsite and a landing page?** A landing page is a single page designed for one conversion action. A microsite contains several linked pages and tells a broader story around one topic. Use a landing page when one page and one form are enough. **Are microsites good for SEO?** Usually less than building content on your main site, because a separate domain starts without your existing authority. A subdomain or subfolder can be better. Microsites are mostly chosen for focus and branding, not search growth. **When should you use a microsite for a B2B campaign?** Use one when a campaign needs several pages and a distinct look, such as an event, research report hub, or interactive tool. For a simple offer, a single landing page is usually faster and easier to maintain. Share term --- ## More related phrases * [Brand marketing](/glossary/brand-marketing.txt) * [Call to action](/glossary/call-to-action.txt) * [Experiential marketing](/glossary/experiential-marketing.txt) ## Similar phrases * [Landing pages](/glossary/landing-pages.txt) A landing page is a standalone web page built for one campaign goal, such as booking a demo or downloading an asset, with a single call to action. * [Event marketing](/glossary/event-marketing.txt) Event marketing uses live or virtual events such as conferences, webinars, and dinners to build relationships with target buyers and generate pipeline. * [SEO (SEO)](/glossary/seo.txt) SEO (search engine optimization) is the practice of improving a website so it earns more unpaid traffic from search engines such as Google. * [A/B testing](/glossary/a-b-testing.txt) A/B testing compares two versions of a page, email, or ad by splitting traffic between them to see which one produces more of a chosen result. * [Above the fold](/glossary/above-the-fold.txt) Above the fold is the part of a web page visible without scrolling, and it decides whether a visitor stays, reads on, or leaves within seconds.