From time to time, we come across debates about whether bigger is actually better when it comes to business websites.

This is a relevant question for business owners and online marketers, since a "bigger" website – that is, one with more pages in the complex site structure – might end up being a bigger investment than a smaller site.

But will a bigger business website help you to make your company more profitable?

There isn't a definite answer to this question. On the one hand, a smaller site is easier for customers to navigate, and allows you to cut your online marketing message into smaller pieces, which could be a positive for buyers who are too busy to go hunting for what they want. And on the other hand, a site with more pages might let you separate different products and ideas carefully, which is a huge benefit to new prospects finding you via search engines.

Here are a few tips for helping you to weigh those concerns against one another:

Start with a site map.

Having a simple graph or flowchart of your new website, along with an idea of where your pages will point, can make it easier for you to envision the major topics in groups.

Cover the basics first.

Almost every business website needs a homepage, about us page, services page, contact page and so on. Begin the process of planning your site by including these first. Then add specific product and services pages. If content marketing is in the plan, a blog is mandatory.

Think like a customer.

Beyond that, imagine for a moment that you are a customer arriving on the site for the first time. What other information would you want to find? Where would it make sense to look for it?

Avoid repetition.

Don't add pages simply for the sake of "having more." Add pages if it's logical to separate topics, ideas, or offers.

Use a Content Management System (CMS) and build slowly if needed. A CMS will allow you to add and edit pages as needed. This is often the best option if you aren't sure how big your site should be, or might want to add more content in the future.

Compare Content Management and Marketing Management system options to determine which tool is right for your job.