TL;DR: In the battle of a business website vs facebook page, the website wins hands down, especially if just starting up. But it’s important to find the right website designer for you.
“What are the differences? – Business website vs Facebook page for my new business”?
It’s one of the most frequently discussed issues when startups are considering where to invest their time & money, and that’s understandable. After all, both will take time to get off the ground, but for very different reasons.
Business website-vs-Facebook pages-influence
So let’s look at the figures that underpin the train of thought that you only need Facebook to cement your online positioning:
- Facebook has 2.96 billion monthly active users.
- On average, 1.98 billion people log into Facebook daily.
- 3 Million businesses have advertised on Facebook this year (2023)
- There are 60 million business pages on the Meta platform.
- India is ranked first in Facebook audience size, with almost 349.7 million users.
- Facebook ranks third in the world’s most visited website, having 1.5 billion unique visitors, 11.2 billion visits, and an average visit time of 31 minutes.
- About 75% of those who have high incomes use Facebook.
- Meta has great integration with its own products: Threads, Instagram & Facebook – all from a mobile phone.
However, having a business website offers several advantages over relying solely on a Facebook page for an online presence. While both platforms have their benefits, a dedicated business website provides a more professional and comprehensive online presence for the following reasons:
Control and Ownership:
Business websites are entirely owned and controlled by the business itself, allowing for complete customisation, branding, and control over the content, layout, and design.
In contrast, a Facebook page is subject to Facebook’s rules and policies, and they can change these rules at any time, affecting how your content is displayed and accessed.
Brand Credibility and Professionalism:
A dedicated business website portrays a higher level of professionalism and credibility compared to a social media page. It signals that the business is serious, established, and invested in its online presence, which can instil trust and confidence in potential customers.
Customisation and Branding:
With a business website, you have full control over the design, branding, and user experience.
You can tailor the website to match your brand identity, incorporate your logo, choose specific colours, and create a consistent brand image across all pages. This level of customisation is limited on a Facebook page.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO):
A business website allows for better content creation & SEO strategies, making it easier for potential customers to find your business through search engines like Google, Bing, etc. You can optimise your website with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, titles, and other SEO techniques to improve visibility and attract more organic traffic.
Content Flexibility:
On a business website, you have the flexibility to publish a wide variety of content types, including blogs, articles, videos, product/service listings, customer testimonials, and more.
This flexibility enables you to showcase your expertise, engage your audience, and provide valuable information to potential customers.
E-commerce and Transactions:
If you’re selling products or services, a business website provides a platform for direct transactions, allowing customers to purchase items, make reservations, or request services seamlessly.
This capability is often more robust and versatile than what’s available on social media platforms.
Analytics and Insights:
A business website allows you to utilise powerful analytics tools to track visitor behaviour, understand user demographics, analyse traffic patterns, and measure the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
These insights help make informed decisions and optimise the website for better performance.
Integration and Scalability:
A website can easily integrate with other tools and platforms, such as email marketing software, CRM systems, payment gateways, and more.
Additionally, a website can scale as your business grows, accommodating new features, products, or services without major limitations.
Which is right; A Business website vs Facebook page?
While having a Facebook page is certainly beneficial for social engagement and interaction with a broader audience, a business website provides a robust foundation for online marketing, branding, and customer engagement that goes beyond the capabilities of a social media platform.
A comprehensive online strategy often includes both a website and a strong social media presence to maximise reach and engagement.
QED web design is on most of the major platforms (@WeAreQED), including Facebook
