You’ve got a small business. It could be a bakery, a vintage guitar shop, or a mobile dog spa. You love what you do, and you’re good at it. But when someone asks for your website, you smile and say, “Oh, we’re on Facebook!” or, “Just check our Instagram!”
Cue the slow zoom-in and dramatic music.
Look, I get it. Social media is free and easy to use, and all your friends are on it. But putting your entire business online on Facebook or Instagram is like opening a store in the trunk of your car and then parking it at your cousin’s house. Sure, it works, but it’s not the best look.
Why Facebook and Instagram Aren’t Websites
You don’t own it.
Your Facebook or Instagram page can be taken down, suspended, or randomly re-algorithmed into oblivion. You’re building on rented land—and the landlord is moody.
It’s a black hole for information.
“Where’s your menu?” “It’s in that post I made three months ago. Just scroll past the dog birthday shout-outs and the meme about coffee.” Not ideal.
Limited functionality.
Want to take bookings? Sell products? Collect emails? Create a branded experience? Good luck doing that with a Facebook banner and a pinned post from 2021.
Not everyone’s on social media.
Yes, even in 2025, some people (your future favorite customer, perhaps?) don’t use Facebook or Instagram. If they can’t find you elsewhere, you’ve lost them.
How to Use Social Media the Right Way
Social media is a great tool. But it’s the billboard, not the building. Here’s what to aim for:
Use social to drive traffic to your real website.
Link to your site in bios, posts, and stories. Make it obvious. Make it easy.
Keep it fresh and friendly.
Share behind-the-scenes moments, special deals, and updates. Think of it as your business’s personality, not the whole personality.
Engage, don’t oversell.
No one wants to scroll past 47 “BUY NOW” posts. Build trust, be helpful, and maybe throw in a dog photo. You’re still human, after all.
What a Professional Developer Can Do for You
This is where the magic happens. A professional developer isn’t just someone who writes code in a dark room while sipping black coffee (though, yes, some of us do). We’re your business wingperson.
Here’s what we can help you do:
- Create a proper website that’s fast, secure, accessible, and looks great on every screen.
- Help with branding, content, and structure so visitors get what you do in under 10 seconds.
- Add tools like appointment scheduling, online ordering, email signups, or whatever you need to grow.
- Optimize for search engines, so you appear when someone Googles “best cupcakes near me” (and not your competitor with the blurry Facebook banner).
The Bottom Line
Having your only online presence be a social media page is like putting a sandwich board on the street and calling it a storefront. It’s a start—but your business deserves better.
So, by all means, keep posting those latte art shots on Instagram. Make sure there’s a real website behind it when someone wants to learn more, book your service, or become your biggest fan.
And if you need help? You know where to find me. (Hint: not just on Facebook.)
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