Okay, so it seems like everyone’s glued to social media these days, right? TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, even X (you know, Twitter). It’s where people hang out, share stuff, and even try to make a living. With all that going on, you might wonder if you still even need a website.
Well, the answer is a big, fat YES!
Sure, social media is a force to be reckoned with, but if you’re only using that, it’s like building a house on someone else’s property. Here’s why having your own website is still super important, whether you’re doing your own thing, running a business, or part of an organisation:
1. It’s YOUR Space Online
This is probably the biggest deal. Your website is yours, period. You get to decide how it looks, what goes on it, how it works, and what happens with any info you get from it. Social media sites? They’re always messing with their algorithms, changing the rules, and sometimes just disappearing altogether (remember MySpace? Bebo? Vine?). If one of those platforms decides to change things up, limit who sees your stuff, or just shuts down completely, everything you did there could vanish overnight. Your website is a safe place you own for the long haul.
2. You Get to Be as Creative as You Want, and Really Show Off Your Brand
Social media gives you some ways to make your profile look different. You can post a profile pic and write a short bio, but a lot of times, your brand can get lost in the shuffle with all the other profiles that look kind of the same. But with a website, you can do whatever you want! Design it exactly how you want to show off your brand personality, make it look cool and unique, and really pull people in when they visit. This kind of control really matters when you’re trying to make a brand that people remember.
3. It’s the Place for People to Find Out Everything
Social media posts are usually short and sweet. Good for quick updates, but not so good if you need to go into detail. Your website can be the place where people find every single thing they want to know about what you do. I’m talking super detailed product descriptions, explanations of your services, portfolios showing off your work, testimonials from happy customers, FAQs, and a whole about us section that tells your story. It’s where people go when they really want to get to know you.
4. You Look More Professional and Trustworthy
Having a good website instantly makes you look more legit. It tells people you’re serious about what you do. If you’re a business, a website is usually the first place people go to see if you’re for real and to get info. A solid website builds trust and makes you look like an authority in your field.
5. People Can Find You on Search Engines Way Easier
Okay, so social media profiles can show up in search results, but a website that’s been set up well for search engines has a much better chance of ranking high. By using the right words, creating good content, and doing some behind-the-scenes tech stuff, you can make your website show up higher on Google. This can bring in a steady stream of people who are actually looking for what you offer. Social media, on the other hand, often relies on algorithms and paid ads to get noticed.
6. You Can Talk to People Directly and Get Leads
Your website lets you communicate directly with people through contact forms, email sign-ups, and even live chat. This means you can grab leads, build an email list (another thing you own!), and build relationships without some platform messing with who sees what. Social media conversations are great, but they’re not always the best for turning people into customers.
Social Media + Website = A Winning Combo
It’s not about ditching one for the other. The smartest way to do things online is to use your social media and your website together.
7. Understand Visitor Behaviour & Data Insights
Tools can give you tons of info about the people who visit your website, where they’re located, which pages they look at, how long they stay, and a lot more. This info is super helpful for understanding who your audience is, what kind of content they like, and how to make better decisions for your business. Social media sites offer their own stats, but the info you get from your own website is usually more detailed and you own it, not them.
In short: Social Media + Website = A Winning Combo
It’s not about ditching one for the other. The smartest way to do things online is to use your social media and your website together.
Think of social media as your megaphone for getting the word out, talking to your followers, and getting people to visit your website. And your website? That’s like your home base, where everything is controlled and where you turn interested people into customers.
So, yeah, keep posting and sharing on social media. But don’t forget how important it is to have your own website. It’s an investment in having a stable, controlled, and source of success. Your website is the most valuable thing you have online, now and in the future.
