Do I need a website if my business is already on social media?
Written by the design team at HVD Studios, LLC
Why Every Business Owner Needs a Website Alongside Their Social Media Presence

This is a question we get often. Many people are curious to know if they even need a website if they are successfully using their social media to get new clients and grow their business. To us, we would need you to define the word successful.
For some, social media is an integral part of their daily business operation. Most who are using these platforms with much success are actually influencers and for that reason, this makes sense. They are using their fame to branch out to other mediums such as Youtube and even Pinterest and typically don't have problems getting new customers, clients, and followers.
Most influencers STILL have a website because it helps to solidify their brand. When you only use social media as your primary source of marketing, you can't perform actions such as blogging, creating members only pages, password protecting certain areas of your pages, or selling products directly on your page (you actually can put products on your social media pages, but they just link to your actual website so it's misleading in a way).
Do you have more than 10k UNPAID followers
If you don't have more than 10,000 followers, you will need a better way to attract your target audience, unless you want to spend money running sponsored ads or boosting your social media posts. Note that we put the word unpaid in BOLD text. This is because if you are paying to get followers and have very low engagement to your posts, this can often be seen as a red flag to someone who may be interested in you. We can always tell when a company paid another company to get likes just by looking at their engagement. For example, we once saw a company that had 32k followers which is very respectable. Their posts only got about 35 likes and very few comments. If you do the math, they actually got less than .5% of followers noticing and reacting to their posts which is extremely low. We don't recommend paying for likes but if you are a numbers person, we understand.
Have less than 10k followers on any of your social media platforms? In this instance, we highly recommend a website.
With a website, you can clearly articulate your business, products, and services and have as much real estate as needed. With most social media platforms, you only have about a paragraph to do this, and prospective customers need to scroll through sometimes hundreds of posts to learn more about you. With a website, you can put your images in a tidy gallery, allow your customers to book from your pages, and can customize the look of your website to suit your needs, where social media platforms allow you to upload simply your logo or album cover art/video.
The bigger bonus is that you can still leverage social media and get new followers just by placing your social media icons on the header or footer of your website. Essentially you can have your cake and eat it too!

Todays technology and algorithms are getting sophisticated. Here are 8 reasons why you also need a website
In today's digital age, having a robust online presence is crucial for any business. While social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (also known as X) offer excellent opportunities for engagement and marketing, they should not be your sole online presence. A dedicated website is a fundamental asset that can provide numerous benefits that social media alone cannot. Here's why every business owner needs a website in addition to using social media.
1. Complete Control Over Your Online Presence
Customization and Branding
Your website is your digital storefront, where you have full control over the design, layout, and content. Unlike social media platforms, where you're limited by the platform's design and functionality, your website can be customized to reflect your brand's identity precisely.
No Algorithm Dependence
Social media platforms often change their algorithms, affecting the visibility of your posts. With a website, you have a stable platform where you control the visibility of your content without worrying about algorithm changes.
2. Enhanced Credibility and Professionalism
Establishing Trust
A well-designed website lends credibility to your business. Customers often view businesses with professional websites as more legitimate and trustworthy compared to those relying solely on social media profiles.
Showcasing Expertise
Your website allows you to showcase your expertise through detailed content such as blog posts, case studies, and client testimonials. This demonstrates your industry knowledge and builds trust with potential customers.
3. Improved Customer Experience
Centralized Information Hub
Your website serves as a centralized hub where customers can find comprehensive information about your products or services, business hours, contact details, and more. This convenience improves the overall customer experience.
Seamless Navigation
Unlike the scattered nature of social media posts, a website offers structured navigation. Visitors can easily find the information they need without sifting through a feed.
4. Better SEO and Discoverability
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Your website can be optimized for search engines, helping you attract organic traffic. With effective SEO strategies, your site can rank higher in search results, driving more potential customers to your business.
Long-Term Content Value
Content on your website has long-term value and continues to attract visitors over time. Unlike social media posts, which have a short lifespan, your website content remains accessible and relevant.
5. Ownership of Your Content and Data
Data Control
With a website, you have full ownership of your content and data. You can collect valuable insights through analytics, which helps you understand your audience and improve your marketing strategies.
Independence from Platform Policies
Relying solely on social media means you’re subject to their terms and policies, which can change unpredictably. Your website gives you independence, ensuring your business isn't vulnerable to platform changes or shutdowns.
6. E-commerce Capabilities
Online Store Integration
A website allows you to set up an online store, offering a seamless shopping experience for your customers. You can integrate various payment gateways and manage your inventory, sales, and customer data efficiently.
Custom Shopping Experience
You can customize the shopping experience to suit your brand and customers’ needs, offering personalized recommendations, discounts, and more.
7. Enhanced Marketing Opportunities
Comprehensive Marketing Tools
Your website can integrate with various marketing tools like email marketing platforms, CRM systems, and analytics tools. This integration enables more effective and personalized marketing campaigns.
Retargeting Potential
With a website, you can use retargeting strategies to reach visitors who have shown interest in your products or services, increasing your chances of converting them into customers.
8. Building a Mailing List
Direct Communication
Your website can host sign-up forms to build a mailing list. This list is invaluable for direct communication with your audience, sharing news, promotions, and content updates.
Greater Engagement
Email marketing allows for targeted and personalized messages, leading to higher engagement rates compared to social media posts.
Final Thoughts
While social media is an essential component of a modern business's online presence, it should complement, not replace, a dedicated website. A website offers complete control, enhanced credibility, better customer experience, improved discoverability, and robust marketing opportunities. By combining the strengths of both a website and social media, you can create a comprehensive online strategy that drives growth and success for your business.
Invest in a professional website today and watch your business reach new heights. Your customers will appreciate the convenience, trust, and value it brings, and you'll benefit from the increased visibility, control, and growth opportunities it provides.
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