Do you still need a website if you're on social media?

Plenty of local businesses run happily on a Facebook page or an Instagram account. Social media is free, easy and it’s where your customers spend their time — so why pay for a website?

The short answer: social media is brilliant for being seen, but a website is where you get chosen. The two work best together.

1. You don’t own your social media

Your page lives on someone else’s platform, under their rules. Accounts get hacked, suspended by mistake, or quietly shown to fewer people when the algorithm changes. If that happens, you can lose your audience overnight. Your website and domain name belong to you — nobody can switch them off.

Build on social media, but don’t build your house there.

2. People search Google, not Facebook

When someone needs a plumber, a physio or a birthday cake, most start on Google. Social media pages can appear in search results, but a well-built website with pages for each service gives you far more chances to be found for the things people actually search for. See our local SEO checklist for how that works.

3. A website builds trust

Many people check out a business online before getting in touch. A professional website with clear services, prices, reviews and contact details makes you look established and trustworthy — especially for bigger purchases.

4. It answers questions before they’re asked

Opening hours, prices, what’s included, where you cover, how to book — a website can answer all of it clearly, around the clock. That means fewer repetitive messages and more enquiries from people who are ready to buy.

5. It turns attention into action

Social posts are fleeting; they scroll away in hours. Your website is where you send people to do something: book an appointment, request a quote, buy a product, join your mailing list. And unlike social followers, an email list is an audience you can reach directly.

6. You can see what’s working

With simple analytics you can see how many people visit, where they come from and which pages lead to enquiries — so you can put your time and money into what actually brings in business.

How they work together

• Social media: show your personality, share your work, stay front of mind.
• Your website: explain what you offer, prove you’re good at it, and make it easy to get in touch.
• Link your website in every social bio, and link your social accounts from your website.

Does it need to be big or expensive?

Not at all. For many businesses, a single well-designed landing page with your services, reviews and a clear way to get in touch is a great start. You can grow it later. Wondering what that would cost? Our guide to website costs has honest numbers — or just ask me.