Many small business owners are looking for free or low-cost ways to get their businesses online—especially in our current economy. One question I see asked frequently is, “Do I need a website if I have a Facebook page?”
The answer is, “It depends.” Are you looking to grow your business? Is control over your brand’s presence important to you?
If you said “no” or “not yet,” then no worries! You’re probably right where you need to be right now. A Facebook business page offers a simple, convenient, and low-cost way to engage with your audience and build a community.
But if your answer to either of those questions was “yes,” then it’s time to consider how relying solely on social media platforms can limit your business’s ability to grow. Here are 5 things to think about as you weigh if using a Facebook page versus a website is better for your business.
1. Ownership: You Own a Website, Not Social Media
One of the most significant differences between a website and a Facebook business page is ownership. When you have a website, you have full control over the content, design, and future direction of this online space. It’s yours. In contrast, your Facebook page is essentially rented space on someone else’s platform. It’s Meta’s. And they can change the rules at any time. This includes its algorithms, policies, platform security, and even unforeseen shutdowns. All of which can limit your ability to reach your followers organically.
Think of it like owning versus renting a home. When you rent someone else’s property, you’re limited to making changes that suit your growing family and lifestyle. You have to follow the landlord’s rules. And you could be kicked out of your space at any time. On the other hand, if you own a home, you get to make the rules. You get to decide what changes and improvements to make, and no one can take that away from you (as long as you’re in good standing with the bank, of course!)
Bottom Line: The “Facebook page vs website” question comes down to control. Your website puts you in charge of your content, your policies, and when, how, and how much you interact with your audience.
2. Vulnerability: Social Media Platforms are Not Risk-Free
Facebook pages and other social media accounts can be more vulnerable to security threats than personal websites that have strong security in place. Your account is an easy target for hacking and phishing scams. And this can potentially lock you out of your account, or worse—cause irreparable damage to your brand’s reputation.
Beyond hacking, social media platforms, like Facebook, can also suspend or take down your account for violating their terms—sometimes with no explanation or warning. This could you leave you scrambling to recover your account, or you could completely lose the community you’ve worked so hard to build.
Bottom Line: A website helps secure your business’s online presence and offers more protection from losing everything overnight.
3. Lead Capture: Websites Allow You to Build an Email List
When considering “Is a website better than social media for business?”, one of the strongest reasons to invest in a website is to capture leads and grow an email list. Facebook followers are tied to the platform. If the platform disappears, so does your list of followers.
A website allows you to collect valuable contact information—such as emails—through lead generation forms. Once you have an email list, you own that list. You also know that every person who received your email can see your information—unlike social media platforms that only show your content to 5-20% of your audience*. And this is one reason email lists tend to have higher user engagement rates compared to social media.
Bottom Line: A website allows you to build an email list, which gives you a more sure, direct, and personal way to communicate with your audience.
*This number depends on the size of your account and how engaged your following is.
4. Searchability: Websites Improve Your SEO
A significant pro in the “Facebook page vs website” debate is SEO: the ability for your business to be found online through search engines like Google. A website gives you control over the keywords, content, and structure that contribute to how your site performs in search results.
Facebook pages are searchable within the platform—and, yes, they can be found through traditional search engines. But they don’t give you the same flexibility to control what information you want people to discover.
Bottom Line: A well-optimized website—alongside your social media presence—can give your business an edge over competitors who only rely on social media for visibility.
5. Flexibility: Websites Offer More Customization Options
While Facebook provides a basic structure to showcase your business online, a website offers far more customization in how you can display your services, products, or portfolio. This allows you to design an experience that reflects your brand’s personality, which is especially important when it comes to managing your customers user experience through the purchasing process.
Bottom Line: If you’re debating “Should I build a website or use Facebook?”, consider this: whether you want to showcase products, host a blog, or sell directly to customers, a website offers much more flexibility than a Facebook business page.
You Don’t Have to Have a Website… But You Should Consider It
At the end of the day, there is no one right way to run your business and a website is not a requirement for experiencing success—especially if you’re just starting out. Many small businesses do find early success by leveraging Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media accounts.
However, if your goal is to grow your business and create a brand experience that resonates with your audience, owning a website becomes an increasingly more beneficial investment, as it offers more control, lead generation opportunities, customization, and an overall more professional experience (which, by the way, boosts your brand’s credibility).
Bottom Line: If you’re asking “Do I need a website if I have a Facebook page?”, the answer is that although having a website isn’t a necessity for every small business, it’s a wise investment for those looking to grow.
Curious about which website platform is best for your business? Take the free, below, quiz to find out!
