“Do I really need a website if I have a Facebook page?” It is one of the questions we hear most. The short answer is that social media and a website do different jobs, and the best results come from using each for what it does well.

What social media is good for

• Letting people get to know you and your work.
• Staying visible to people who already follow you.
• Quick conversations, comments and messages.
• Sharing news, offers and behind-the-scenes moments.

What social media is not good for

• Owning your audience. Platforms can change their rules, reduce your reach or suspend your page.
• Being found by new customers searching on Google. Posts are not built for search in the way pages are.
• Presenting complete information. Prices, services, policies and contact details are hard to find in a feed.

What your website does best

• It is yours: you control the message, the design and the data.
• It works for you around the clock, answering questions and collecting enquiries.
• It appears in search results when people look for what you offer.
• It builds trust, because a clear professional site shows you are established.

A simple way to combine them

1. Website as home base: everything important lives here, including services, prices, proof and contact details.
2. Social media as your shopfront window: show your work and personality, and link back to the website.
3. Email list as your direct line: invite people to sign up so you can reach them without depending on a platform.

Choose one or two platforms

You do not need to be everywhere. Pick the platforms where your customers actually spend time and where you can post consistently. A local trades business may do well on Facebook and WhatsApp, a designer or photographer on Instagram, a B2B service on LinkedIn.

Plan your time

A realistic weekly routine for a busy owner:

• One hour for social posts and replies.
• 30 minutes to check enquiries and follow up.
• 30 minutes to update your website or write one useful article each month.

Link everything together

Put your website address in every social bio. Add your social links, WhatsApp button and Google reviews to your website. Use the same name, logo and contact details everywhere.

The bottom line

Social media can get attention, but a website turns attention into customers and gives you something you own. If you do not have one yet, see our website packages, or contact us to talk through the best starting point for your business.