Facebook Logo In today’s digital landscape, having an online presence is essential for any small business. Many entrepreneurs start with a Facebook page, as it's quick, free, and seemingly sufficient for reaching customers. However, relying solely on a Facebook page can be limiting. In contrast, a dedicated website offers far more control, flexibility, and long-term benefits. Here’s why having a website is much better than just having a Facebook page for your small business.

1. Who Uses Facebook?

Whilst there are millions of people using Facebook around the world, it does not mean that all your prospective customers are. If you ask around, you will find that many more people now use Facebook less and less, or not at all.

2. Full Control Over Your Content and Design

One of the most significant advantages of a website is the control it gives you over your content and design. On Facebook, you’re confined to the platform’s layout and design choices. While you can change your profile picture and cover photo, the overall look and feel of your page are dictated by Facebook’s templates.

A website, on the other hand, offers endless possibilities for customisation. You can design your site to reflect your brand’s unique identity, from the colours and fonts to the layout and navigation. This creative control allows you to create a user experience that aligns perfectly with your business goals and customer expectations.

3. Professionalism and Credibility

A well-designed website lends credibility and professionalism to your business. Consumers tend to trust businesses with a professional website more than those that rely solely on social media pages. A website suggests that you are serious about your business and committed to providing a stable and reliable service.

A Facebook page can look amateurish in comparison, especially when it’s cluttered with ads or posts that are irrelevant to your brand. Moreover, anyone can create a Facebook page, so it doesn’t necessarily convey the same level of trustworthiness that a dedicated website does. Social media in general is full of fake news, fake companies and misinformation, so why should visitors to your page assume yours is truthful?

4. Search Engine Visibility

One of the biggest drawbacks of relying solely on a Facebook page is its limited search engine visibility. While Facebook pages can appear in search engine results, they don’t have the same level of optimisation as a website. Websites are indexed by search engines like Google, and with proper SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), they can rank higher for relevant search terms.

So, while your Facebook page might show up in Google when people search for your company name, it is unlikely to ever show up for people searching for your business trade. For example, people searching for your name "E.H.Tailor in Canterbury" may find your page, people searching for "carpenter in Canterbury" will most certainly not.

With a website, you can optimise each page for specific keywords, ensuring that your business appears in relevant searches. This increases the likelihood that potential customers will find you when searching for products or services you offer, giving you a significant edge over competitors who only have a Facebook presence.

You can have a page for each service you provide along with a gallery, or examples of your work.

5. Ownership of Content and Data

When you build a website, you own the content, data, and the platform itself. This ownership is crucial because it means you’re not at the mercy of a third-party platform’s policies or changes. Facebook can change its algorithms, terms of service, or even suspend accounts without warning, which could severely impact your business.

A website gives you complete ownership and control over your content and customer data. You decide what information to collect, how to use it, and how to present it. This autonomy allows you to build a more tailored marketing strategy and customer relationship management system.

Many people have had their accounts revoked for reasons they don't understand, and trying to get an account re-enabled is nigh on impossible.

6. Direct Customer Engagement

A website allows for more direct and meaningful engagement with your customers. You can incorporate features like a blog, contact forms, live chat, and customer reviews. These tools enable you to interact with customers in ways that are more personal and relevant than the broad, public interactions on Facebook.

Additionally, a website can host a variety of content types - videos, podcasts, downloadable resources - that can engage your audience in different ways. This variety helps keep your customers interested and encourages them to return to your site for more.

7. E-Commerce Capabilities

If you sell products or services online, a website is far superior to a Facebook page. While Facebook does offer some e-commerce features, they are limited and not nearly as customisable as what you can achieve with a dedicated website.

With a website, you can set up a fully integrated e-commerce platform, offering features like product listings, shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and customer account management. These features not only make the shopping experience seamless for your customers but also allow you to manage your inventory, orders, and customer data more efficiently.

8. Email Marketing Integration

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach and retain customers, and a website makes it easy to integrate this powerful tool into your marketing strategy. You can use your website to collect email addresses, offer sign-up incentives, and manage your email lists.

With tools like landing pages, pop-ups, and call-to-action buttons, you can effectively grow your email list and send targeted campaigns that drive traffic back to your site. While Facebook offers some messaging capabilities, it doesn’t provide the same level of control and customisation as email marketing integrated with your website.

9. Analytics and Insights

A website offers detailed analytics that can provide invaluable insights into your business. You can track visitor behaviour, such as which pages they visit, how long they stay, and where they come from. This data helps you understand your audience better and refine your marketing strategies.

While Facebook provides some insights, they are generally less detailed and not as customisable as the analytics tools available for websites. With platforms like Google Analytics, you can set specific goals, track conversions, and gain a deeper understanding of how users interact with your site.

10. Long-Term Investment

Investing in a website is a long-term strategy that pays off over time. A website grows with your business, allowing you to expand and add new features as needed. Unlike a Facebook page, which is bound by the limitations of the platform, a website can evolve to meet your changing business needs.

Moreover, as your website gains traffic and authority over time, it becomes an asset that continuously drives new customers to your business. This long-term value is something a Facebook page alone cannot provide.

11. Freedom from Platform Dependency

Finally, having a website frees you from dependency on any single platform. Social media platforms like Facebook can change their algorithms, reduce your organic reach, or even disappear altogether (remember MySpace?). By having your own website, you ensure that your online presence is stable and not subject to the whims of external companies.

Conclusion

While a Facebook page can be a useful tool for engaging with your audience, it shouldn’t be your only online presence. A website offers unparalleled control, professionalism, and flexibility that can help your business grow and succeed in the long run. By investing in a well-designed website, you’re not only enhancing your brand’s credibility but also setting the stage for sustained growth and success.

Your own website need not cost the earth. At Deal Web Design, we've set up many new small businesses with their own brand new website, for a fraction of what they were expecting. Contact us to find out how we can help you!