Why do you need a “home” on the internet when you can just "rent space" on social media?
In an era where social media has flourished and become a part of daily life, many businesses may wonder, "Why should we still invest in a website when marketing on social media seems to be going well already?" This question may sound reasonable in the short term, but when considering the long term, neglecting to have your own website could limit opportunities and create unexpected risks for the business.
Imagine Social Media as an online marketplace online marketplace where there are crowds of people. You can set up a stall, promote your products, and interact with customers quickly and easily. However, at the same time, you are subject to the rules of that marketplace, cannot fully control your space, and may have to compete with many other vendors. In contrast website A place that feels like home. Your online business space – a place where you can design, customize, and control everything just the way you want.
This is a key reason why having a website remains essential – no matter how impressive social media marketing may seem.
Read more: "The reasons why relying only on social media could hurt your business."
1. You are the "homeowner," not just a "tenant":
On social media, you are merely a user who must abide by ever-changing rules and algorithms. These platforms can alter policies, shut down, or reduce the visibility of your content at any time. Having your own website means true ownership; you have complete control over the content, design, functionality, and customer data. This is "a digital asset." the true "digital asset" of your business.
2. Build credibility and professionalism:
A well-designed, informative, and user-friendly website creates a stronger impression of credibility and trustworthiness with customers compared to having just a social media page. A website demonstrates that your business is serious, has invested resources, and is ready to provide professional service. Most customers will look for a website to learn more before deciding to purchase products or services.
3. Full control over the customer experience:
A website allows you to create a tailored experience to meet the specific needs of your customers. This includes presenting detailed product and service information, establishing a convenient ordering system, providing customer support, or building your own online community. You can freely design the user journey to align with your business goals, which social media platforms may limit.
4. A central hub for information and integrated marketing:
A website can serve as a central hub for gathering all information about your business, including company history, products and services, promotions, news, and contact channels. Furthermore, it can seamlessly integrate with other marketing tools such as CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and analytics tools, enabling you to plan and measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns efficiently.
5. Increase discoverability through search engines:
A website that is properly optimized for SEO significantly increases the chances of your business appearing in the search results of Google and other search engines when customers are looking for related products or services. This provides a channel to reach new, potential customers with a higher purchase intent compared to users on social media who might come across your content by chance.
6. Customer data that truly belongs to you:
On your website, you can install tools to collect customer data (in compliance with laws and privacy policies), such as browsing behavior, interests, or contact information. This data is a valuable asset that helps you understand your customers more deeply and allows you to develop products, services, or marketing campaigns that are more targeted. Social media platforms often have limitations on accessing this kind of data.
7. Supports long-term growth and business expansion:
As your business grows, your website will become a crucial foundation for supporting expansion, whether it involves adding new products and services, entering new markets, or building a membership system. A well-structured website can scale and flexibly accommodate the evolving needs of your business.
Absolutely, social media plays a significant role in building awareness, reaching target audiences, and engaging with customers. However, it should not be viewed as the "be-all and end-all" of your online strategy. Having a website is like having a stable and central "home" that will enhance credibility, control the customer experience, and create opportunities for sustainable long-term growth for your business.
Therefore, instead of viewing a website as "unnecessary" when you have social media, try considering a website as "unnecessary" when you have social media, try considering a website as the "heart" of your online presence, which will empower and complement your social media marketing, making it stronger and more comprehensive.
