This question has been coming up more often lately in client consultation meetings. Having more than one website can help to give you the edge on your competition, increase your presence, serve different functions and target different audiences more effectively.

A few years ago we contracted with a company to design 7 websites, one for each of their product lines. This made creating the right image and staying consistent with the branding for each product line much easier. It turned out to be beneficial in helping them to show value when they were bought out by a huge world wide company not long after. Unfortunately the big company didn’t get it and moved everything to their parent site. And we wonder why big companies are having problems staying in business.

The same concept can be used by a small business owner. You might not need 7-8 websites, but creating your new blog, expanding into new geographic territory or starting your spin off product line on a new site might make sense and give you the edge you need.

Some reasons to have more than one website:

• Keeps branding targeted if you have multiple audiences.
• Can have separate domains that works for the target  market.
• Target specific niches by marketing directly to them with an image they can relate to.
• Allows you to market multiple product lines separately.
• Less ‘clutter’ can help convert visitors more often and faster.
• Each website can be localized for specific geographic markets.
• Separate websites for a company blog or community website can drive traffic to you main site.
• Each website can be optimized more effectively for better search engine listings.