Social media marketing has become a quintessential. Almost like a carry-all page, you have all your information in there, and you can even directly sell your products on Facebook or Instagram. It screams “convenience”, and there’s little need for extra intervention, no need for major design overhaul, just assemble a few images, some design works, and regularly update with clever text, and you can even get notifications on your post’s performance. Easy, isn’t it?
And we have seen businesses take to social media, literally like ants to sugar. Admit it, how many Instagram-bakers have you been following? Or how many shops have you ‘liked’ to get exclusive deals?
The tidal wave of ‘social businesses’ may lead one to wonder, are business websites becoming a thing of the past? Is there really a difference anymore between the functions of a website and a social media page?
Well, it’s a ‘maybe, maybe not’ scenario, really.
Dedicated websites still remain important, for your brand to maintain a strong online presence. And here’s why.
Social Media Page VS Professional Website
Yes, social-only businesses have been on the rise. There are even professional courses that teach you how to build the perfect, successful social-only business. And it isn’t surprising why. For a start, social media accounts, and social media ‘Pages’, are literally free, and by starting one, you instantly gain access to some 3.8 billion users across the globe. Did anyone say ‘free marketing’? (Of course, to get the best reach, you’ll probably have to put in some dollars.)
However, do be cautious of the catch-all promise of social media. As they say, social media is a game.
A professional website is still better at building trust. Unlike social media, which can be a minefield of scams and shady business, a professional looking website reassures visitors that the business has what it takes, and is what it is in the online world.
A website should carry information about its history, expertise and credentials, all building towards its trustworthiness. And it’s a good chance to bring out the positive reviews you’ve had, to sell the business and any products or services. And need we mention proper, legal payment gateways?
Finding a Business on the WWW
Try Googling for a local service, and it is most likely that the top search results will be websites, and not social media pages. It is easy to find selected profiles if you search in the social media’s own search function, but that is not the case for the global search engines.
Another thing about social-only business, is that the social media platforms don’t quite allow you to personalise or customise your sales page or section. It will just be a generic page, with product or service listing, and the necessary accompanying information (subject to word limit too).
You can get much more creative on your own website, and come up with exciting ways (and copy) to promote your items. 360 degree view of a product? Or maybe a virtual house tour for home sellers. If you’d like to opt for convenient ways to sell, there are also partner widgets that can be loaded on your website, styled to your brand’s identity.
Create a Website that Shouts Your Brand
Social-only businesses are a great way for start-ups, and perfect for testing water. Got a great big idea? Go social and experiment with it. And when you handle it, develop a proper, professional website to sell it!
Websites are easily sustainable, for the business, and for the long run. It is crucial to have a website, to be found on the internet web of things, and also key in building trust with your clients, users and brand partners.
i Concept Digital is here to help you develop your brand’s website, guiding you and assisting you step by step, if necessary. Our team of designers, programmers and writers will be on hand to listen to you and your brand’s needs and wants, to build your brand’s online identity, and create that stunning website you’ll keep sharing on your social media.
