Why your small business needs a website and social media channel
- You own one but not the other
- Your social media could get shut down
- You need a base and an ad agency
- You need an avenue for digital marketing
- They do different things
Website or social media? Why can’t small businesses just have one or the other? Why do you need both? It’s too much work! We hear you. We get these questions a lot so take comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone. In this post, we will answer the age-old question of why you should have a website and (at least one) social media platform.
You own one but not the other
You can’t just rely on having a social media channel, like let’s say, Facebook or Instagram. You don’t own Facebook. If Mark Z decides one day you’re doing something dodgy (even if you’re not) and takes your page down, you have very little power over it. On the other hand, you have full control over your website — that is if you’re doing it right (but that’s another blog post). You do whatever design you want and put any content you want, too, without fear of Facebook admin pinging you about it.
You need a base and an ad agency
Your website will house as much information about your products/services as possible. When potential customers need to know more about your small business, they can go to your site to read up on you. But your social media platform is your daily connection to the world. It’s where you tell them about the latest updates to your small business as well as interact with customers. It is also one great avenue for digital marketing. You can advertise your small business on Facebook with a link to your URL so potential customers can find you.
They do different things
If you want to be more effective online, you need to be smart with how you use your online tools. Your website is your home. It’s where you display the things that you offer, the information about you, the story behind your small business and more. It’s where you host the landing pages for your ads. Your social media platform, on the other hand, is more dynamic. It’s where you hang out to be with your peeps (aka your customers). It’s where you run your digital marketing ads and target the audience you want to reach. When done well, these two things blend together to help you grow your small business.
Kristyn is the Creative Director of 3C Digital. She is a freelance writer/journalist with over 13 years of experience in the industry both locally and internationally. She has previous experience as TV and radio broadcast journalist as well as print and online writer. Her novels, The Girl Between Two Worlds and The Girl Between Light and Dark, are out now.
