Why Your Business Needs a Website in 2014 (Yes, Still)

## The Facebook Page Isn't Enough Social media is huge. Facebook has over a billion users. Instagram is growing fast. Some business owners are asking: do I still need a website if I have a Facebook page? Yes. Absolutely, unequivocally yes. ### You Don't Own Your Facebook Page Facebook controls who sees your posts. In 2014, organic reach for business pages has dropped to 6-10% of followers. That means if you have 1,000 followers, only 60-100 see your posts. Facebook wants you to pay for reach. They can change the algorithm. They can charge you more. They can suspend your page for unclear policy violations. Your website is the only digital property you truly own and control. ### Credibility 75% of consumers judge a company's credibility based on their website design. A business without a website looks like it might not be a real business. It might be a hobby, a side project, or a scam. When someone hears about your business, the first thing they do is Google you. If all they find is a Facebook page, the trust level is significantly lower than if they find a professional website. ### SEO — Being Found When people search Google for your type of business, Google shows websites. Not Facebook pages, not Instagram profiles — websites. If you don't have a website, you don't exist in Google search results. You're invisible to everyone who searches instead of scrolling social media. ### Your Website Works 24/7 Your website answers questions, shows your portfolio, displays your pricing, takes bookings, and sells products around the clock. It doesn't sleep, it doesn't take holidays, and it doesn't need to be manually updated every day to stay visible. ### The Bottom Line Social media is a distribution channel. Your website is your home base. You need both, but the website comes first. A business without a website is a business that's harder to find, harder to trust, and harder to buy from.