Life is all about choices. Whether you’re a wannabe entrepreneur or one who didn’t have a good start in business, some time or the other, you’ll be faced with situations where you have to weigh consequences. Likely, one of those crossroads that you’ll meet when starting a business is finding a way to make the most of digital marketing. It’s definitely not a bad call. To boot, there are about 298 million smartphone users in America, just approximately 30 million shy of the country’s total population.
There are many ways to tap into the digital market. However, as you go along, you’ll find that two of the most effective are putting up a website and starting a Facebook page. It’s hard not to notice FB with over 2.8 billion active monthly users worldwide and over 240,000,000 of them in America. But is the biggest social media platform the answer to your needs? Then, there’s adding a website to your business. As appealing as it is, the question is will all the money spent worth it?
In the final analysis, you will have to decide which is best for you. Nonetheless, fret not. Here is the lowdown on what makes one better than the other.
The Case for a Facebook Page
Indeed, having a strong digital presence is a must in a world that’s increasingly revolving around the internet. How Amazon became a trillion-dollar company via online sales as the pandemic dragged on should be a concrete example.
And there may not be a better time to make the most of a Facebook page for your business than these days. Just recently, the social media company has updated its Pages. Hence, you get a more powerful call-to-action button and a much more improved page layout to fit smartphones to a T. Plus, now you’re in a better position to update your page from your mobile device.
Right off the bat, the biggest come-on for FB pages is it’s cheap. You can start one in a jiffy without having to pay any fees whatsoever. In short, it’s a blessing for newbie small business entrepreneurs who want to make the most bang for their bucks.
To note, you really can’t have a website without having to fees upfront (e.g., web hosts, web developers). It’s really a no-brainer. FB pages can get you in front of your customers both as a social media tool and as a business site to expand your online presence.
Added to that, there are a slew of crafty ideas for monetizing your Facebook page. Pounding on a method that best appeals to you should be a lot easier than if you do it via a web page which takes a lot longer to set up.
But it’s not all heaven for FB pages; there are downsides too.
First up, you’re basically limited by what Facebook offers you. While the social media giant has expanded its FB page functionalities (e.g., page header, store sections), there’s a limit to what you can actually do on your page. You will always be operating under a major brand and obey its rules. If not, you can be found wanting and be kicked out.
So you really are not in control as to how you manage your marketing. You’re limited as to how your page should look for one. And yes, you really can’t tell Facebook to accommodate a business request. You have to wait for Mark Zuckerberg et al. to give it to you.
The Case for Websites
When you build a website, you have power over how it looks. No one can tell you to take down your landing page as your aesthetics are too shabby. It’s your call.
Further, you have full authority over your content. No one can dictate what’s best for your business. Unless you’re posting something illegal (e.g., a scam), you’ll have the online stage all for yourself.
So, in the end, that greater freedom means you’ll have full control over how your branding unrolls. But as beautiful as all that, it also comes with a price.
To boot, a website is never free. There are a slew of website builders that market easy set-up. But all that comes with a monthly fee. On the other end of the spectrum, if you decide to pay someone to build a website for you, you’ll have to pay professionals fees to make it all happen.
Even WordPress, which could be a cheap alternative, will come at a cost. Well, you really can’t have a website without someone hosting it for you. Plus, some plug-ins don’t come free, and if you decide to improve on things and call a professional, that’s again added costs for you.
It really is your call. You can always start with Facebook pages, and when you have enough budget to roll, get a website. Or you can have them both at the same time. That should be ideal: a social media platform to get in touch with your customers and a website to call your own.
It’s really not that hard. The important thing is your customers feel they are taken care of in the way you think is the best online.
