5 min read By Erwan Goossens
Showcase website, landing page or online shop: which should you choose?
Three types of website, three different goals. Definitions, use cases, prices and timeframes: everything you need to choose the right site for your business, without paying for what you don’t need.
To choose between a showcase website, a landing page and an e-commerce website, start from what you expect your visitors to do. A landing page is right for promoting one specific offer and getting one action. A showcase website presents your whole business and generates enquiries. An e-commerce website lets you sell your products online, with payment and order management.
Here is how each type of website works, what it costs, how long it takes to build, and how to choose without paying for features you don’t need.
The landing page: one page, one goal
A landing page is a single page built around one offer and one call to action: requesting a quote, booking a call, signing up for a workshop, downloading a guide…
Ideal for:
- launching a new service or a promotion;
- welcoming visitors from an online ad or a QR code;
- testing an idea before investing more;
- an event: trade fair, open day, training session.
Its strengths: it is quick to build, affordable and very effective at converting, because the visitor has only one path to follow.
Its limits: it does not present your whole business and gives search engines less to work with than a site with several pages.
At Novexa Digital, a landing page is built in 5 to 7 working days on average, from €590 excl. VAT.
The showcase website: your business in a few pages
A showcase website presents your company: your services, your work, your service area, your contact details. It does not sell online; its role is to reassure and generate enquiries (calls, emails, quote requests, visits to your shop).
Ideal for: tradespeople, shops, professionals and service businesses.
Its strengths: a complete, credible presence, several pages to appear on Google (one page per service, a page about your service area…) and a website that can grow.
Its limits: it needs more content (texts, photos) and a little more time than a landing page.
A Novexa Digital showcase website has up to 5–6 pages, is built in 2 to 3 weeks on average and starts at €1,190 excl. VAT.
The e-commerce website: selling online
An e-commerce website, or online shop, lets your customers order and pay directly on your site. It includes a catalogue, a basket, secure payment (Bancontact, card…), order and stock management, and automatic emails.
Ideal for: retailers who want an extra sales channel, makers and brands, producers who sell direct.
Its strengths: sales at any time, anywhere in Belgium, without relying only on people walking into your shop.
Its limits: it is the most demanding project. You need to prepare product photos and descriptions, organise logistics (delivery, returns), comply with the legal obligations of distance selling and keep an eye on the shop regularly.
A Novexa Digital e-commerce website is built in 4 to 6 weeks on average and starts at €2,490 excl. VAT.
The comparison at a glance
| Landing page | Showcase website | E-commerce website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | One specific action | Present and reassure | Sell online |
| Number of pages | 1 | Up to 5–6 | Depends on the catalogue |
| Average timeframe | 5 to 7 working days | 2 to 3 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Price from (excl. VAT) | €590 | €1,190 | €2,490 |
| Search engine visibility | Limited | Good | Good (product pages) |
What if your business works by appointment?
Hairdressers, physiotherapists, coaches, restaurants: if your customers need to book, a website with online booking combines the presentation of a showcase website with a booking calendar and email confirmations. And if you need an internal tool, a client area or automations, you are looking at a web application.
How to choose in 5 questions
- What do you expect visitors to do? One single action: landing page. A call or a quote request: showcase website. A purchase: e-commerce website.
- How many offers do you have? One flagship offer: landing page. Several services: showcase website.
- Do you sell products that can be shipped or collected? If so, e-commerce becomes relevant.
- What are your budget and deadline? A landing page can be live in a few days; a shop takes several weeks.
- Where do you see your business in two years? Choose a foundation that can grow.
Can a website grow over time?
Yes, and it is often a good strategy. You can start with a landing page to validate an offer, turn it into a showcase website as your business grows, then add a shop or a booking module. With a tailor-made website, the design and content are reused: you don’t start from scratch.
Real examples by trade
Our fully working demo websites show what each solution can look like:
- a plumber and electrician: a showcase website with services, service areas, certifications and a quote request with photos;
- a hair salon: a website with online booking;
- a jewellery shop: an e-commerce website with basket and payment;
- a personal trainer: a website that guides visitors, with a quiz to find the right programme.
You can browse them on our demos page. The businesses shown are fictitious.
Frequently asked questions
Is a landing page enough to be visible on Google?
It can rank for a very specific search, but a website with several pages has more chances of appearing for a variety of searches. A landing page works best with advertising and social media.
Can a showcase website sell online later?
Yes. A shop can be added to an existing showcase website; this extension is covered by a quotation.
Which type of website is the most profitable?
The one that matches the way you sell. A tradesperson who works on quotation will get more value from a good showcase website than from an online shop.
Is my Google Business Profile enough without a website?
A Google Business Profile is essential for local searches, but it does not replace a website. It shows your contact details, opening hours and reviews; the website presents your services in detail, reassures with your work and receives your quote requests. The two complement each other: the profile links to the website, and the website uses exactly the same contact details.
In short
A landing page for one action, a showcase website to present and reassure, an e-commerce website to sell. Still unsure? Book a meeting for a free initial conversation: we will recommend the solution that suits your business and your budget. To prepare that budget, also read how much a website costs in Belgium.
