Do Websites Still Matter?

Thanks to the increasing popularity of social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and whatever else will pop up in 2014) it’s been easier than ever for the small business owner to build their own darn web presence without shelling over thousands of dollars for a website.

Social media is absolutely awesome for the (cheap) DIY owners who put off building a website out of blatant ignorance for the value of having a website. And now the new excuse is…

But I don’t really need a website because I’m on Facebook!

As always, there will always be an excuse and that’s okay. If you don’t want a website, fine. That’s your right. It’s also the reason why your business is barely-surviving instead of thriving.

To be honest, the fact that you are on Facebook only goes to show that you do recognize the value of an online presence for your brand and it tells everyone (including potential customers) that you put in minimal effort.

However—to be fair—you could also be telling others that you do not invest back into your brand and make smart spending choices to keep your rates low. Regardless of how you (or potential customers) view your decision to not have a website, there are far more qualified customers who aren’t even getting the opportunity to view you when searching for your product or service.

The Real Benefit of a Website

A business without a brochure is incomplete. Information is central to the decision making process, because you are an option. Customers choose you for a reason, and in most cases that reason is that they liked you better than the other options available.

Yet without a website, new customers do not have the opportunity to choose you because they will not know about you as an option. Even if your contact information appears in the number one spot of the local (Places) section in search results, most web users will choose who to contact after viewing websites and information.

The Real Benefit of Social Media When You Don’t Have a Website

• It’s free
• It gives existing customers the chance to show their support

In Summary

The decision to not build a website is made consciously and for your own personal reasons. Yet Facebook (or any other social networking sites) is not an alternative to having a website. Only a website can put you in front of a new audience.