This is the second part of a three-blog series exploring websites for small businesses. In the first blog, we established an online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes and what can be gained from having your own website.
This blog, we look at Facebook business pages. When starting out, many small business owners look to a Facebook business page or Instagram as a way to connect with their customers and potential market. That's understandable because it's cheap and reasonably accessible for owners to set up themselves. However, having a dedicated website provides a host of advantages that can significantly impact your online presence, brand image, and ultimately, your bottom line. Here, we breakdown 5 reasons a website outshines a Facebook business page.
1. Enhanced Brand Control and Professionalism
A dedicated website allows you to have complete control over your brand's online presence. You can design your website to reflect your brand identity, incorporating your logo, color scheme, and unique style. This control fosters a sense of professionalism, showing potential customers that you're serious about your business. In contrast, Facebook pages are limited in customization options, and your brand's identity may be diluted among other content on the platform.
2. Improved Credibility and Trustworthiness
Consumers tend to trust businesses with well-maintained websites more than those relying solely on Facebook. A professional-looking website can instill confidence in potential customers, demonstrating that you're a legitimate and reliable business. You can showcase customer testimonials, certifications, and other trust-building elements on your website, which is harder to do effectively on a social media page.
3. Better Search Engine Visibility
Websites have the advantage when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines like Google and Bing rank websites based on various factors, including content quality, keywords, and backlinks. With a well-optimized website, you have the potential to reach a broader audience and attract organic traffic. Facebook pages are less likely to rank well in search results, limiting your online visibility.
4. Ownership and Data Control
One significant disadvantage of relying solely on a Facebook business page is the lack of ownership and control over your content and data. Facebook can change its policies and algorithms at any time, impacting how your content is seen by your followers. Additionally, you have limited access to user data, making it challenging to tailor your marketing efforts effectively. With a website, you have complete control over your content, data, and user interactions, providing a more stable foundation for your online presence.
5. Freedom to Monetize and Expand
A website offers more opportunities for monetization and business expansion. You can sell products or services directly through your website, set up e-commerce capabilities, and leverage various marketing strategies like email marketing and affiliate marketing. Expanding your online presence through additional features such as blogs, forums, or online courses is easier to accomplish on your own website. Facebook pages have limitations on direct monetization and the addition of certain features.
In conclusion, while Facebook business pages can be valuable for engaging with your audience and building a community, they shouldn't be your sole online presence. A dedicated website provides you with greater control, professionalism, and the tools you need to expand your online business effectively. Ideally, to maximise your online presence, it's often best to use both Facebook and a website in conjunction, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced online strategy that covers all your bases.
In our next blog, we will get down to the nitty gritty of how to create a website for your small business including the design process, hosting, domain names and importantly the cost.