Do businesses need a website?
Many business owners ask, “Since I have a small business with a small workforce, and since we don’t sell anything online, do I need a website?” The answer is yes! If you have a business, you must have your website in order to stay ahead of your competitors. Also, are you sure you can’t sell your product online? Covid-19 has changed the retail landscape, with millions of online shoppers looking for everything from books to music videos to homes to natural gas and more. So, while you’re doodling, your competitor has probably seen how effective a website can be for their business and designed one or The design of the store website will take place. You certainly don’t want to be left behind.
But you might be asking, “Isn’t my Facebook or Instagram page taking the place of a website?” If I have a Facebook or Instagram page, do I also need a website?
Businesses usually look at social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, etc. as advertising channels that also include benefits for business. As a result, they help build a larger audience and help in conducting market research. However, a Facebook page should not replace your store website or business website. Below are the reasons to tell you why Instagram and Facebook cannot replace the website:
1- You are not the owner of your Instagram or Facebook page.
What if one day Instagram decides to filter you or stop supporting businesses? If your Instagram page is the only way to sell your products online, all the customers and followers you attracted will definitely disappear.
A few years ago, Facebook went down globally and Instagram was completely shut down for a few days, and for both of them, it created madness, anxiety, worry, and a feeling of despair and bankruptcy for a while. While Facebook and Instagram claim to support businesses, do you have any thoughts on the changes Facebook has made and may be implementing? However, with your own website, you have full control over the look and feel of your website.
2- Facebook and Instagram have SEO restrictions.
Think about it. Where do you go when looking for local business? Facebook or Google? 3.5 billion daily queries on Google show that most people turn to search engines to find information through social networks. And the results that search engines bring you, 99% of the results are websites. A professional SEO website allows you to position yourself so that people can find you when they search for the products you sell or the services you provide. Even if you can easily compete with larger websites, you can promote your site for local searches to attract an audience in your area.
3- The website is more reliable.
Your business’s store website, while having more credibility, has a trust mark, and most people only buy from businesses they know, like, and trust. So while it may be faster to create an Instagram page, you’ll still have more trust and choice than a store website.
4- Attention on Instagram and Facebook is fleeting.
The Facebook or Instagram workspace is highly competitive. Having your business posts listed on Facebook means that you are constantly updating and fighting off the competition of several other companies. In addition, you have to compete with your potential customer’s Instagram (Facebook) friends. Many people find ads annoying, especially when they want to interact with friends, causing them to ignore your posts or commercials. On the other hand, a business website ensures that you have the potential customer’s full attention. So while you may be doing legitimate things to get them to your website, patronage is more likely once they are on your website. We’re not saying you shouldn’t have an Instagram (Facebook) page for your business. But, instead, your Facebook page and other social media should support your website, not replace it.