Microsites have emerged as a valuable platform for businesses and brands to effectively reach their target consumers. Also known as “branded blogs,” “communication platforms,” or “independent campaigns,” microsites serve as websites dedicated to publishing content that drives interaction and engagement with the brand.
But what exactly is a microsite?
A microsite is a website with branded content that exists outside of a brand or business’s homepage. What sets it apart from a company-branded platform is that the URL usually does not include the name of the sponsoring company. By registering a new domain name, a microsite is born.
Types of Microsites
Microsites can be broadly categorized into two main types: campaign-based microsites and continuous content publishing microsites.
Campaign-based Microsites
Campaign-based microsites are independent websites created specifically to anchor or support a branded campaign. They are launched and filled with content according to the brand’s strategy and then left to thrive independently.
A notable example of a campaign-based microsite is Fu2016.com, created to promote the premiere of Season 4 of the Netflix series “House of Cards.” This microsite playfully parodied politics while generating hype and interest in the series. Visitors were invited to join the main character, Underwood’s movement and rally support for “important” issues like inequality and entitlement. With its captivating design, attention-grabbing elements, and high-quality videos, the microsite provided compelling reasons for users to engage with its content.
The advantage of campaign-based microsites is their ability to be developed, amplified, and left to grow organically. If the microsite is well-designed and captivating, it can attract significant traffic without continuous effort. Brands and businesses can choose to update the microsite occasionally or amplify it on an ongoing basis, but the bulk of the development work is typically completed during the initial phase.
Microsites with Continuous Content Publishing
These microsites function similarly to media sites, regularly publishing original content without a definitive end date unless discontinued.
A prominent example of a microsite in this category is Red Bull’s Red Bulletin, which operates as an online magazine. With daily content updates, complete staffing, occasional redesigns, and steady growth, this microsite keeps readers engaged over time.
Launching and maintaining microsites that continually post relevant content can be challenging. However, if executed successfully, these microsites offer an engaging way for businesses and brands to interact with customers, increase relevance, and foster growth.
Benefits of Microsites
Microsites offer several benefits that help businesses and brands connect with their target audience and enhance brand awareness.
- Creating and Increasing Brand Awareness: Microsites showcase essential elements of a brand or business in a tangible and interactive manner. They are designed to be highly shareable across social media platforms, effectively boosting brand awareness and expanding growth potential. By featuring essential elements of a brand in a tangible and interactive way, microsites can boost brand recognition and growth potential. They are highly shareable on social media platforms, further expanding their reach.
- Gamification: Microsites are an excellent platform for creating games that work seamlessly on mobile, computers, and tablets. Unlike mobile applications, users don’t need to download anything but can simply visit the URL and join in the fun.
- Cost-effective: Microsites typically consist of a smaller number of web pages, resulting in significantly lower development and setup costs. These sites often focus on delivering essential and engaging content without the need for an extensive web infrastructure.
In summary, microsites offer businesses and brand a valuable tool to reach their target audience, foster engagement, and enhance brand awareness. With their versatility, interactivity, and cost-effectiveness, microsites are a powerful addition to any marketing strategy, enabling businesses to stay connected with consumers and drive growth in an increasingly digital world.
