Do You Need a Website or Is Social Media Enough?
Are you a small, conscious business owner wondering if a website is worth the investment?
Many new businesses start with focusing their energy on social media to build their online presence. For some, that approach works just fine, but let’s be honest — social media often feels tiring, frustrating and not aligned with the pace at which we want to run our businesses. Social media demands constant online presence, pressuring us to create and conform to trends and formats that may not align with our values. On the flip side, a website can also often feel overwhelming, expensive, and not necessarily worth the investment of time, energy and money. So, where should you stand?
To help you decide, let's delve into a few key questions:
When do you actually need a website?
What can a website do that your social media accounts cant’t?
Are you looking for sustainable marketing alternatives that can help you grow your business without relying solely on social media?
Personally, I’ve struggled with maintaining a consistent social media presence and finding my voice amid the noise. Social media often pulls me away from my center, so I have to constantly check-in with myself to honour where I stand.
Over time, I've explored different ways to market my business that don't rely as heavily on social media to market my business, but instead on the quality of the content I want to share and the authenticity of my voice. In this sense, my website has become a powerful tool for me to express myself more authentically to my community. Starting writing long format blog post is one example, where I feel more free and less restricted, as well as more creative when crafting content for my site.
So here’s why I believe having a website can be uniquely valuable for your business, even if you’re just starting out:
01. Your website helps you create a personalized experience.
While we all have to comply with the formats, structures and rules of social media platforms, your website gives you the freedom to create a unique experience to welcome your audience into a space that was built with them in mind.
Whether you're building it yourself or collaborating with a designer, you have control over how content is organized, making it easy for visitors to find what they need—be it your latest offering, collection, or physical location.
To be efficient, your website should align with your primary business goal and meet your visitors' needs. Understanding both your objectives and your audience's expectations is key to creating a site that will truly support your business. Make it effortless for people to learn who you are, what you do, and how to contact or book your services directly through your website.
Your website allows your brand’s uniqueness to shine, creating a memorable experience through carefully chosen photos, words, colors, and overall atmosphere. It makes it easier for people to remember you and come back to you, over and over again.
02. Your website is flexible and has “no” limits.
Your website can host a blog, manage a shop, facilitate client bookings, host online courses, and much more. It grows and evolves with your business, adapting to its seasons and changes.
I focus on creating Squarespace websites because I believe in the platform's potential to streamline various aspects of your business, saving you time and simplifying operations, which can be a game changer for small business owners.
Key features and recent updates from Squarespace include powerful new features:
E-commerce: Sell physical products, digital goods, services, gift cards, subscriptions, and custom merchandise. Sync your product catalog with Facebook and Instagram to sell directly through your social media platforms.
Online Courses: Host your online course directly on your website, allowing clients to log in and access content that aligns with your brand visuals. Organize video and text lessons into chapters, all while maintaining your brand identity.
Member Area: Build an online community by creating gated pages with exclusive content designed for a specific audience.
Video Library & Blog Paywall: Create a browsable video library or gated blog content hidden behind a paywall to monetize your content.
Email Marketing (Squarespace Email Campaigns): Integrated email marketing solutions allow you to create branded newsletters and optimize sales by linking directly to your Squarespace shop.
Client Booking (Acuity Scheduling): Easily manage appointments, take payments, and handle scheduling directly from your website, all within the Squarespace platform.
These features streamline your operations, keep your brand consistent, and save you time by consolidating everything in one place.
03. Your Website Works 24/7, So You Don’t Have To
Once live, your website is always available to your community, ready to answer questions and even make sales while you sleep. It can act as an extension of your business, working for you around the clock.
Implementing a simple yet solid SEO strategy will help new customers discover your business and turn visitors into clients. Once again, knowing your audience and what they’re searching for allows you to create content that addresses their needs before they even ask. This is how you become “discoverable”.
Simple yet smart automations such as e-commerce order notifications, customer feedback collection, automated thank-you or follow-up emails… will also save you time, keeping your customers informed and engaged without requiring constant effort from you.
04. Your website is yours, you own your content
Unlike social media platforms, where your accounts can be blocked, shut down, or censored at any time, your website is entirely under your control. You decide what to say, publish, and share, allowing you to present yourself exactly as you wish.
This is a key difference, especially for small businesses that must comply with the guidelines of larger companies that fall into patriarchal and capitalist models.
05. Having a website makes you look professional and increases trust
Your website helps you build credibility with your audience and helps you position yourself as a thoughtful leader and professional.
We know that building a website requires an investment of time, money and energy, and in the eyes of your audience, this is a tangible sign of your commitment to your mission.
06. Your website and your content are here to stay
Unlike social media, where posts quickly fade, your website ensures that your content remains accessible and relevant for days, weeks, months, or even years after publication. While social media posts might garner attention for a short period—typically around 48 hours on Instagram, 24 hours on LinkedIn, and just five hours on Facebook—your website offers a space where your content continues to work for you over the long term.
Updating your website as your business evolves is simple, but the content you create doesn't have an expiration date. Instead of constantly creating new content just to keep up, your website allows you to invest your time wisely, ensuring that every effort contributes to your long-term success.
In conclusion, social media and websites definitely work well hand-in-hand. As social media is a great first strategy to build your community, attract potential clients, and start conversations, your website will always be your next step and your actual home base to welcome your people according to your own standards.
If you believe in the value of having your own website, I’m here to help! Whether you need a one-page website to start building your online presence, or a more comprehensive website, there are different options and services available. Don’t hesitate to book a free discovery call, there is no cost or commitment.
