Plenty of small businesses run happily from a Facebook or Instagram page. It’s free, it’s quick and your customers are already there. So do you really need a website as well? For most businesses, yes, and here’s why.
What social media does well
Social media is good for staying in touch: sharing photos, posting offers and talking to regular customers. If that’s working for you, keep doing it.
Where a Facebook page falls short
You don’t own it. Your page lives on someone else’s platform. If your account is locked or the rules change, you can lose your page and your audience overnight.
People who don’t use Facebook can’t see much. Many people don’t have an account, and logged-out visitors get a limited view and constant pop-ups.
It doesn’t show you at your best in search. When someone searches for what you do, a website can appear for all your services and areas. A social page is unlikely to rank for much beyond your name.
Your information gets buried. Your prices, menu and opening hours scroll out of sight under newer posts.
It can look less established. Many customers check for a website before they trust a business, particularly for bigger purchases.
AI assistants can’t read it well. Tools like ChatGPT rely on pages they can read. Much of what’s on social media is hard for them to access, so a website gives them something to work with.
What a simple website gives you
You don’t need anything fancy. A small site gives you:
- A home that you control, with your own domain name.
- A professional email address, such as hello@yourbusiness.co.uk.
- Your services, prices, opening hours and location, always easy to find.
- A way to be found on Google for what you do, not just your name.
- A link to put on your van, cards, invoices and Google Business Profile.
The best answer is both
Your website is your shop window, and social media is how you bring people to it. Keep posting, and link back to your site.
If you’d like to see what yours could look like, ask for a free homepage mock-up. A mobile-friendly small business website is £149, including the domain and first-year hosting.
Common questions
Should I stop using Facebook if I get a website?
No. They do different jobs. Use social media to stay in touch with customers, and your website as the home for your key information.