We often hear from business owners who say, “We don’t need a website. We have a Facebook page.” Social media is a valuable tool, but it can’t replace a website. The two do different jobs, and the businesses that grow fastest use both.
What Social Media Does Well
- Keeps you in front of existing customers and followers
- Shows off your personality, team and day-to-day work
- Shares quick updates, events and specials
- Encourages conversation, comments and word of mouth
Where Social Media Falls Short
- You don’t own it. Platforms change rules and algorithms constantly, and accounts can be restricted or hacked.
- Your reach is limited. Only a fraction of your followers see each post unless you pay to boost it.
- It’s not built for search. When people search Google for a service, websites and Google Business Profiles usually come first.
- It’s hard to explain the details. Pricing, service areas, FAQs and in-depth service descriptions don’t fit well in a feed.
What Your Website Does Well
Your website is the one place online that you fully control. It’s where customers go to compare options, learn the details, check your credibility and take action by calling, booking, requesting a quote or buying. It’s also what Google uses to decide when to show your business in search results.
How to Make Them Work Together
- Link your social profiles to your website and your website to your profiles.
- Use social posts to drive traffic to specific pages, like a new service, a blog post or a seasonal offer.
- Keep your information consistent across platforms, especially your hours, phone number and address.
- Capture contacts on your website with email signups and contact forms, so you’re not relying only on a platform you don’t control.
- Track results so you know which platforms actually send customers.
Solnet builds websites and manages social media for businesses across the region, so both work together. Contact Solnet or call (301) 939-0273.
