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Writer's pictureSandra Beatty

Pros and Cons of Website vs Social Media

If you've landed here, you're likely a new or newish business owner or someone who has been able to get business without an online presence. And you're having the website vs social media debate with yourself,


"Can I build my business just using social media? Do I really need a website?"


First, let's look at:


Hands holding a mobile over a desk with a keyboard and screen.
Which is more important—website or social media?


What Are The Different Types of Social Media Platforms?


There are plenty of social media platforms and the list continues to grow. Here are the main ones you've probably heard of:

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

  • TikTok

  • Pinterest

  • Twitter

Each social media platform attracts a specific type of demographic. As a small business owner with a small marketing budget, knowing which social media platforms your target market are on is a critical piece of information. You don't have the time or resources to waste on things that aren't going to grow your business.


Social Media Pros


Social media can help you:

  • Quickly build an audience

  • "Publish" information at the push of a button

  • Develop and hone your creativity

  • Share your ideas on various platforms

  • Get in front of your target market pretty easily

  • Advertise your services and products

  • Connect with people around the world

  • Connect with other influencers

  • Reach a very diverse and broad audience

  • Build habits of consistently showing up

  • Understand your target market better and what does and doesn't resonate with them through comments, queries, and any analytics available on the platform

  • Gather customer data about your target market

  • Create products and services that your audience is looking for

  • Keep in touch with your followers and connections

  • Start conversations with potential clients you want to work with

  • Potential to bring in leads and sales

And some other perks:

  • It's free to set up accounts on different platforms

  • Starting social media accounts and creating profiles are pretty easy and quick

  • The learning curve on using a new social media platform is usually brief

  • Positive responses can boost your confidence

And now for the cons.


Social Media Cons


Social media definitely has a lot of perks, no doubt about it.


But, as with everything in life, there are some negatives, such as:

  • In order to use it effectively as a marketing tool, you have to post content regularly (anywhere from a few times a week to several times a day, depending on the platform)

  • It can be challenging to manage several social media accounts

  • People can (and will) post negative comments

  • Potential for online stalkers

  • You can't control who sees your content or how often they see it

  • Your content can get censored

  • You can get kicked off the platform and lose all your followers and connections along with your revenue source

  • You can get locked out of your account and it can take weeks before you're able to get back on

  • Your account can get hacked

  • It can be difficult to determine ROI

  • Your personal information and data is used and shared outside your control

  • You're not told who your personal information and data is being shared with

  • You have to work within the design and character limits of the platform

  • You're limited to the active users on the platform

  • You can waste hours and hours of your time on social media because the platforms are intentionally designed to keep you scrolling

  • Algorithms will "penalize" your content by decreasing the priority of your post if you share a link to your website or anywhere off the platform

  • You're constantly being advertised to

  • The content that you're exposed to can cause you to feel angry, sad, depressed, or anxious

  • It can cause you to compare your life to others and leave you feeling unfulfilled

Hmmm...let's take a look at the pros and cons of a website.


Website Pros


Here's one of my favourite lists to make:

  • You can design your website the way you want in terms of layouts, images, font styles, colours, etc.

  • Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly offer templates that make your website look professional without a lot of work

  • Some website platforms allow you to create a website for free

  • Your website doesn't censor your content

  • You have unlimited characters

  • Unless you're doing something illegal, you'll never get shut down, kicked off, or locked out of your website

  • You can create sales funnels to sell your product or service

  • You can create content to help grow your email list and continue conversations outside of social media

  • It's easier to track ROI

  • You control how much you want to be found on browsers through the frequency and type of content you publish

  • It doesn't require a lot of work to maintain

  • You don't have to post content to it daily or visit it regularly

  • You're in control of the "conversation"

  • When someone leaves a comment, you can review it and choose whether to allow it to be published on your site; you can also choose whether to allow any comments on your site

  • Much lower risk of "stalking" concerns

  • You don't have to provide personal information to set up a website

  • You nor your visitor will waste hours and hours scrolling on your website

  • Amount of advertising is significantly reduced

  • You can use Google Analytics and Search Console to help you better market to your target audience

  • Writing the messaging on your website can significantly help you get crystal clear about your business

  • It distinguishes you from the side-hustlers and hobbyists and can be a powerful digital marketing tool

  • When done strategically, your website can be selling for you while you sleep


Website Cons


There are none!


Okay, okay, maybe there are a few...

  • Depending on the complexity of your website, it can take days to months to create

  • Unless you have website copywriting, design, and/or development experience, it can be a big learning curve to get a website up (unless you pay someone to do it for you)

  • Even if you do it yourself, you still have to pay annual domain and hosting fees (which can vary significantly)

  • Understanding Google Analytics and Search Console is another learning curve

  • To get your website selling for you takes time—it requires work to initially get your website up, test if it's working, and revise if it's not

  • Unless you're in a very niche industry, it takes time for organic traffic to flow to your website; you need to be working at gaining and maintaining organic traffic regularly—it's a long-term game

  • Unless you're paying for advertising, it's difficult to show up on the first page of Google searches—and then maintain that standing; it requires you to learn about SEO and how to apply it to your website

So, the big question is...which is better—website or social media?


Which Is More Important—Website or Social Media?


If I could only choose one—website vs social media—hands down I would choose a website for all of the reasons listed above.


However, it's easier to direct traffic (and potential leads!) to your website using social media.


Website and social media compliment each other, like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.


Social media generates traffic to your website. Your website converts visitors into leads.


So really, there isn't a website vs social media argument at all.


If you're just starting out with little to no social media followers and no website, this would be my general recommendation on how to get started:


Step 1: First, start a following on the social media platforms where your target market hangs out.


Step 2: Once you've got into the habit of posting regularly, start collecting insights about your target market so you can narrow it down to your target audience.


Step 3: Once you've gotten insights into your target audience, create a freebie that will help them solve a problem they have.


Step 4: Create a landing page for your freebie where they have to provide their first name and email in exchange for the freebie.


Step 5: Use social media to direct traffic to your landing page so you can start building your email list.


Step 6: By now, you should have enough insights into your target audience to start creating your website.


In the end, social media should never replace a website. However, it should work with your website as part of an overall marketing strategy.


How Do I Start a Website?


Ah! You've come to right place!

That should be enough to get you started, friend!


Psst... If you need help getting your website to convert web visitors into leads, let's find out how I can help you by booking time on my calendar.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


As a published children's author, StoryBrand Certified Guide, copywriter and marketing strategist, Sandra Beatty helps service-based business owners convert web visitors into leads by implementing website and marketing strategies and getting clear on their messaging.

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