Q: “I already have a Facebook and Instagram – as a small business, do I really need a website too?”
Updated: Sep 4
A: Great question, and you're not alone. Short answer: Yes! – and here's why:
Social media is an excellent way to stay in front of people who already know you, but Google is still the top way people search for services and products. And if they do search on social, we all know how distracting that algorithm can be!
A website is also the one place that's entirely yours.
Your hours, services, prices, and story are all there, looking the way you
want them, and under your control.
On social, if a platform changes its feeds, restricts your account, or goes out
of fashion, your business may stop showing up.
The good news is, having your own website doesn't need to be complicated or expensive!
Even a simple 1-3 page site with your hours, location, what you offer, and a way to contact you, covers most of what small businesses need.
Free or low-cost tools (eg. Wix, Squarespace) can get you there without hiring a costly developer.
Regarding your social media - keep it – it's doing real work for you. Just don't let it be the only front door to your business.
Read feature article on this subject: Is Your Website Doing Its Job? A 10-Minute Audit for Busy Owners
Have a question for a future column? Send it to Beth@RisingTideBusiness.ca. If you're ready to take the next step with your online presence, book a free 15-minute review – I'd love to help you get your website set up, affordably, and the way you want it.
– Beth
