How to create a microsite — 4 ways, from free to flagship
The honest comparison of every route to a campaign microsite, then a step-by-step build you can finish today.
A microsite is a small site with one job, which means the build should be small too. Four routes get you there — they differ mostly in how much time and money you trade for control.
The four ways to build one
| Method | Time | Cost | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. AI microsite builder | Minutes | Free to start | You want scroll-driven storytelling without a designer — most campaigns, most teams |
| 2. Website builder | Days | ~$10–50/mo | You already pay for one and need only a simple static page |
| 3. WordPress | Days | Hosting + theme | Your team lives in WordPress and will maintain it there |
| 4. Agency / custom build | 4–8 weeks | $5k–six figures | A flagship moment with budget to match — the Ray-Ban tier |
Routes 2 and 3 produce a page; the reason campaigns build microsites at all is the experience — motion, pacing, story. That's what route 1 now generates and route 4 hand-builds. The examples worth copying are all scroll-driven, whichever way they were made.
Build it in 7 steps (the free route)
Write the job description
One sentence: "A visitor should leave this page and ______." Every later decision tests against it.
Gather the raw material
The three facts that matter, one strong quote or proof point, and the single link your call to action points at. Skip everything else.
Open the free microsite builder
Pick a design that matches the job — templates cover launches, events, campaigns, stories and reports — or start blank.
Describe the campaign
Your one sentence plus the raw material. The AI writes the copy, generates a hero and imagery, and assembles the scroll experience.
Edit like an editor, not a decorator
Cut sections that don't serve the job. Tighten the headline. Make the CTA appear early and again at the end. The visual editor changes anything without code.
Publish on its own address
Free scrollytelling.ai link to test; connect a subdomain like promo.yourbrand.com when it's ready. Link it from your main site and back.
Measure the one number
Built-in analytics show visits and engagement; your CTA's clicks are the verdict. If the campaign is seasonal, decide now whether the site retires or gets versioned next year.
Pre-launch checklist
- The message survives the five-second test — hero alone says what this is and why now.
- Exactly one call to action, repeated at the end.
- Reads properly on a phone (that's where campaign traffic lands).
- Own address, linked to and from the main site.
- Analytics live before the first ad spends a cent.
- An owner and an end date — a microsite nobody maintains becomes brand debt.
FAQ
How much does it cost to create a microsite?
With an AI builder, free to start — you pay only for extras like a custom domain or watermark removal. Website builders run roughly $10–50/month. Agency builds commonly start around $5,000 and reach six figures for flagship campaigns.
How long does it take to build a microsite?
Minutes with an AI builder for a complete first draft; days with a website builder; typically 4–8 weeks through an agency.
Do I need a separate domain for my microsite?
No, but an address of its own is half the point. A subdomain of your main site (promo.yourbrand.com) is usually better than a new domain: free identity, no lost brand equity.
Can I build a microsite in WordPress?
Yes — and if your team lives in WordPress it can be the pragmatic choice. You can also build the interactive story here and embed it via the WordPress plugin, which keeps the scroll experience without fighting your theme.
What should I put on a microsite?
One message, a strong hero, a few focused sections, one call to action. The microsite guide breaks down the full anatomy.
How do I measure whether it worked?
Decide the one action that counts before launch (pre-orders, registrations, donations), track it, and compare engagement — scroll depth and time on page — against your normal landing pages.
Ready to build?
The first draft takes a sentence and a few minutes.
Open the free microsite builder →