There’s a fair bit of chatter at the moment about websites being obsolete as a marketing channel. Why would you need a business website when you can do everything you need on social media?
I disagree and here’s why: social media is brilliant, until it isn’t.
You can pour your heart and soul into your social media content, but as soon as you post it doesn’t belong to you. What’s more you can spend hours crafting the perfect caption, choosing hashtags, and posting at peak time… only for your reach to tank because someone’s algorithm sneezed.
Or your account gets hacked. Or worse, the platform decides you’ve broken a rule you didn’t know existed and locks you out completely. How many of these stories have you heard?
And can you get hold of the social media platforms for support when you need it? Nup.
The problem is: you don’t own your social media presence. You’re just renting space on someone else’s land.
Your website, on the other hand, is your home turf. It’s the one digital space that belongs entirely to you — and it’s still the most valuable piece of marketing real estate you’ll ever have.
Social media is borrowed space
I’m definitely not against social media as a marketing channel. It’s absolutely something that should be part of your marketing mix. Some marketers include social in “owned media”. But my opinion is that it sits in an odd place between “owned” and “earned” channels because exposure and placement is determined by the shifting sands of the platform’s algorithms.
Yes, social media gives you a megaphone, but it doesn’t give you control. Algorithms morph and change daily, posts can quickly vanish down the feed, and your audience’s attention is constantly being pulled elsewhere.
If your only online presence lives on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, you’re essentially building your business in someone else’s back garden. They can (and often do) change the rules overnight.
A business website puts you back in control. It’s where you set the tone, tell your story, and invite people to engage on your own terms, not the platform’s.
Your website builds trust in a way social never can
Think about the last time you researched a business. Did you check their website before making contact? Probably.
A well-structured site signals stability, professionalism, and care. It shows you’re not a fly-by-night flibbertigibbet venture. It’s also your own space to express your brand and values. You make the rules about format and length. A business website is the only marketing channel where your voice, visuals, and values come together to create something distinctly you.
And let’s be honest: a strong website instantly makes your business look far more credible than an abandoned Facebook page last updated in 2022.
Search engines and AI still love a solid home base
Despite all the talk about social SEO, your website is still the beating heart of your search visibility. Google, Bing, and the new generation of AI-driven search tools still rely on websites as their main source of truth.
A well-organised, well-structured business website is more likely to rank when potential customers go looking for what you do. And when they land on your website they’ll find something as unique as your brand, not a cookie-cutter social feed.
A business website lets you play the long game
Social media posts are fast food. A website is a dinner party with all the best crockery, glassware, and linen napkins. You can make it really special because that’s how much you respect and value your customers.
When you post something on social media its lifespan is measured in hours. Blog posts, case studies, and well-crafted web pages can keep working for you for years. They attract search traffic, build credibility, and give you evergreen content you can keep repurposing elsewhere.
In other words, a business website is for life, not just for launch. It’s the strategic hub for all your marketing tactics.
The human advantage: your website tells your story your way
There’s a good reason social media is exhausting: it rewards speed and trends. That’s great if you have a whole team working on your marketing execution. But if you’re a small business, it can really feel like a time destroying vortex.
Your website runs at your speed and rewards thought, clarity, and originality. All the things humans do best.
That’s why every site I build is designed to give you creative control and the support you need to keep it running smoothly. No ticket queues. No jargon. Just human help when you need it, and freedom when you don’t.
If social is your shop window, your website is your studio, your story, and your shop floor all in one.
So yes, social media marketing matters. But it isn’t a magic bullet and I definitely wouldn’t recommend putting all your eggs in someone elses basket. Your website however, that’s where people really get to know you.
Ready to make your online space truly yours?
If you’re tired of feeling at the mercy of algorithms and platforms, my new Affordable Website Design Package could be exactly what you need.
You’ll get a beautifully designed site that’s easy to edit, secure, and supported by a real human (hi, that’s me!). Affordable monthly payments, green hosting, and the peace of mind that your online presence finally belongs to you.
Own your corner of the internet
Be free! Stop renting space from the social media algorithms. Let’s build a business website that’s creative, supported, and 100% yours.
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