Why Your Business Needs More Than Just Social Media to Succeed
Social Media and Website: Do You Really Need Both for Your Business?
Social media is a powerful tool for growing your business, but is it enough? If you're wondering whether you need a website when you already have social media, the answer is a big YES! While social media is great for visibility and engagement, a website gives you complete control over your brand and business. Let’s dive deeper into why having both a social media presence and a website is essential for long-term success.
The Key Differences Between Social Media and a Website
1. You Own Your Website, Not Your Social Media Accounts
Social media platforms can change their algorithms, policies, or even disappear (hello, TikTok!). Relying solely on social media means you’re at the mercy of these platforms. If your account gets suspended or hacked, you could lose access to your audience instantly. With a website, you have full ownership and control over your content and business, ensuring that your online presence is stable and secure.
And here's another thing I want you to think about: social media platforms are businesses themselves, which means they can prioritize paid content over organic reach. This makes it harder to reach your audience without investing in ads. Your website, however, allows you to create an organic, lasting presence that isn’t dictated by external factors.
2. A Website Builds Credibility and Professionalism
A professional website instantly elevates your brand. It shows potential clients and customers that you’re serious about your business. While a social media profile is great, it doesn’t replace the trust that a well-designed website provides. A website serves as your digital home (or storefront), where potential clients can explore your offerings, read testimonials, and learn more about your brand without distractions.
Think about it, when was the last time you booked a service without checking out the company's website first? Most people trust businesses more when they have a well-organized website with clear information. Plus, having a dedicated domain (ex: www.yourbusiness.com) looks far more professional than only using a social media handle.
“A significant 75% of users judge a company's credibility based on its website design” -Source
3. More Customization and Branding Opportunities
Social media limits how much you can customize your profile. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to change your profile picture and bio, but the overall structure is the same for everyone. Your website, on the other hand, can be fully branded with your colors, fonts, and layouts that align with your business.
With a website, you can create a fully immersive experience that reflects your brand’s personality. From unique homepage designs to interactive elements like quizzes or blog content, you can offer a tailored experience that keeps visitors engaged and coming back for more.
Related: 5 Must-Haves for Your Home Page
4. A Website Gives You More Control Over Your Audience
Unlike social media, where you’re competing with ever-changing algorithms 😡, a website lets you communicate directly with your audience. With email sign-ups, lead magnets, and blog content, you can nurture your leads without relying on a third-party platform.
For example, an email list (email marketing) allows you to stay in touch with your audience even if social media platforms change. You can send updates, special offers, and valuable content directly to their inbox without worrying about algorithms limiting your reach.
Related: Flodesk: A Beginner's Guide to Email Marketing
5. Better SEO and Long-Term Visibility
Your social media posts have a short lifespan—often just a few hours or days before they get buried in the feed. But your website content (especially blog posts) can bring in traffic for months or even years! A website optimized for SEO ensures that potential clients can find you on Google long after a post is published.
When you create valuable blog content, optimize your pages with keywords, and structure your site correctly, you increase your chances of ranking in search engines. This means people can find your business even if they’ve never heard of you before—something that’s much harder to achieve with social media alone.
“Blog posts generally have a much longer lifespan (around 2 years) compared to Instagram posts, which typically have a shorter lifespan of around 48 hours.” -Source
6. Sales and Lead Generation for Service Providers and Other Creatives
If you offer services, creative work, or online programs, having a website makes it easier to manage bookings, client inquiries, and showcase your portfolio. Your website serves as a hub where potential clients can learn about your offerings, schedule a call, or book your services effortlessly. While social media can help promote your offerings, it doesn’t provide the seamless experience of a dedicated website where potential clients can learn more about your services, schedule a call, or enroll in your course with ease.
With a well-designed website, you can highlight your expertise through blog content, case studies, testimonials, and a stunning portfolio. This makes it easier for potential clients to trust you and see the value of your work. A website also allows you to integrate scheduling tools for discovery calls, create sales pages for your services, and set up automated email funnels to nurture leads. You can also integrate scheduling tools for discovery calls, create sales pages for your programs, and set up automated email funnels to nurture leads. Unlike social media, where your content gets buried quickly, your website ensures that your services and courses remain visible and accessible 24/7.
Why You Need Both Social Media and a Website
Social media is fantastic for engagement, networking, and brand awareness, but it should drive traffic to your website, where conversions happen🥳 . Your website is the home base of your business, while social media acts as a marketing tool to direct people there.
By integrating both, you can:
- Use social media to attract and engage potential clients.
- Drive traffic to your website for more in-depth information and conversion opportunities.
- Build an email list from your website to nurture leads and create long-term customer relationships.
- Maintain a professional, credible online presence that isn’t at risk of disappearing overnight.
How to Use Social Media to Boost Website Traffic
If you already have social media accounts but haven’t built your website yet, don’t worry! You can start directing your audience to a simple landing page or blog while you work on your full website. Here are some easy ways to use social media to increase your website traffic:
- Include your website link in your bio – Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, always have your website link easily accessible.
- Share blog posts and valuable content – Tease your blog posts on social media with engaging captions and encourage followers to read more on your website.
- Use Pinterest for evergreen traffic – Unlike Instagram and Facebook, Pinterest acts as a visual search engine, making it an excellent platform for driving long-term traffic to your website.
- Offer exclusive resources – Create lead magnets like free guides, templates, or discount codes that encourage followers to visit your website and sign up for your email list.
Turning Website Visitors into Clients or Customers
Once people start visiting your website, the next step is turning them into clients or customers. Simply having traffic isn’t enough—you want to guide visitors toward taking action. Here’s how:
- Create a clear call to action (CTA) – Every page on your website should have a CTA, whether it’s booking a discovery call, purchasing a product, or signing up for your email list.
- Offer an irresistible freebie – Lead magnets like a free guide, checklist, or mini-course can entice visitors to join your email list, giving you a direct way to nurture them into clients.
- Optimize your service or sales pages – Make sure your website clearly explains what you offer, who it’s for, and how to get started. Use testimonials, case studies, and high-quality visuals to build trust.
- Use email marketing to stay connected – Once someone joins your email list, nurture them with valuable content, exclusive offers, and insights that position you as the go-to expert in your field.
By strategically using your website alongside social media, you can attract, engage, and convert your audience into loyal customers or clients!
If you already have social media accounts but haven’t built your website yet, don’t worry! You can start directing your audience to a simple landing page or blog while you work on your full website. Here are some easy ways to use social media to increase your website traffic:
- Include your website link in your bio – Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, always have your website link easily accessible.
- Share blog posts and valuable content – Tease your blog posts on social media with engaging captions and encourage followers to read more on your website.
- Use Pinterest for evergreen traffic – Unlike Instagram and Facebook, Pinterest acts as a visual search engine, making it an excellent platform for driving long-term traffic to your website.
- Offer exclusive resources – Create lead magnets like free guides, templates, or discount codes that encourage followers to visit your website and sign up for your email list.
Ready to Build Your Website?
If you’re still relying only on social media, it’s time to take the next step. A beautiful, strategic website will elevate your business, give you more control, and help you grow sustainably. Need help? Check out my Showit website templates or custom design services to create a site that works for you!
Your social media and website should work together to support your business growth. Don’t wait until an algorithm change affects your reach—start building your online home today!
How to Get Started
Choose the option that best suits your needs:
- Shop Website Templates: Explore a variety of easy-to-customize Showit website templates perfect for your business.
- View Template Customization Service: Let me customize a website template just for you, so you can launch your dream website quickly!
