Everybody knows social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, are great tools for your business to market their products, services, and promotions. It is an important part of any business’ marketing plan in today’s society. It is also important to know that these marketing tools are just tools and can’t replace the many functions of a fully functional website. If you are only using forms of social media and don’t have a website, take a moment to read these reasons why you should make an upgrade.
1) Credibility and Web Presence:
The biggest reason for having a website is credibility. If Facebook is your only web presence, people might think you are cheap or unprofessional, or possibly even like a scam. If a user gets this impression they are going to take their money elsewhere. A well designed corporate website makes the user feel warm and cuddly with your business and its products and services, and will make them more comfortable spending their hard earned cash with you.
2) You are Just Renting Space:
A Facebook page is basically a rental Internet space that is paid for by the 20 advertisements up and down the sides of the page. Also, since you are just renting, you could get kicked out at anytime. If Facebook one day decides to gets rid of business pages then you are out hundreds hours of work and energy. The same thing goes for an angry customer or employee that flags your page for spam hundreds of time and gets other people to do the same just out of spite and Facebook shuts you down. A website is that yours. It is part of your business, makes your business more valuable, and will be there for you no matter what.
3) Control:
When you look at Facebook, you know you are on Facebook whether you are looking at your best friends recent post or a new contest out by McDonalds. There is always a Facebook logo in the top left and their standard blue and white layout. Sure, you get a logo space and a photo album, maybe even a customizable background with some social media, but that just isn’t enough. With your own website you decide the colors, layout, fonts, and anything else because it is YOURS! This lets you push your company’s particular brand to fit your business and your current marketing strategies.
4) Limitless Information:
Social media sites often have a small area where you can put some information about yourself and your business, but it is usually in an off place and is small and all crammed into one page with a small font size. This small area isn’t even close to enough space for history, a full list of services, employees with all their information, and much more that a small to medium sized business should have on their website. Also you may be able to talk about the stuff you are selling on social media, but forget about actually making that sale. Having your own site allows you to put any information you would need to for the world to see, as well as listing a full of products or services and you could even close the deal without even seeing the person, making the purchase that much smoother.
With all that being said, don’t think I am against social media for any reason. Every business should have a Facebook page as well as a Twitter account. They are quick, easy, and effective ways of reaching all your loyal customers in an instant. These tools should be used as an avenue to direct traffic to your very own, personalized website as should the rest of your marketing tactics. Today’s Internet driven world demands it.
Just to show you how much I like social media, I made these sweet button icons.