Guide, updated November 2026
Website or Facebook page: does your business need both?
A Facebook page is free, quick to set up and where many of your customers already spend time. So why pay for a website? Because the two do different jobs. Here’s what each is good at, and why most small businesses do best with both.
What a Facebook page does well
- It’s free, and you can set it up in an afternoon.
- Your existing customers can follow you, message you and share your posts.
- It’s easy to post news, specials and photos from your phone.
- Reviews and recommendations build word of mouth.
Where a Facebook page falls short
- People searching Google for a business like yours often won’t see it. Search results favour websites, Google Business Profiles and directories.
- You don’t own it. Facebook sets the rules, decides who sees your posts and can change the layout or restrict your page at any time.
- Only a small share of your followers see each post unless you pay to promote it.
- Not everyone has a Facebook account, and some people won’t log in just to check your hours.
- It looks less established. Many customers see a proper website as a sign that a business is real and here to stay.
- There’s little room to explain your services, prices and process in an organised way.
What a website does better
A website is yours. It sits at your own address, shows up in Google searches, and lays out everything a new customer needs in one place: what you do, what it costs, where you are and how to get in touch. It works for people who have never heard of you, which is exactly who you need to reach to grow.
The best setup is both, linked together
Think of your website as your shopfront and social media as your street noise. Each sends people to the other:
- Put your website address in your Facebook and Instagram bios.
- Link your social pages from your website’s footer and contact page.
- Post on social media to stay front of mind with regulars, and point new people to the website for the details.
- Add your website to your Google Business Profile so searchers can find it too.
When a Facebook page alone is enough
If you’re testing an idea, running a hobby business or relying entirely on people who already know you, a Facebook page can be enough to start. Once you want customers who don’t know you yet, a website is usually the next step.
Questions
Will a website help me show up on Google?
Yes, it’s one of the main things that helps. Pair it with a free Google Business Profile and a few good reviews and you give Google far more to work with than a Facebook page alone.
Can I put my Facebook reviews on my website?
Yes. Copy a few of your best reviews onto your site with the person’s first name. It’s one of the most convincing things a new customer can read.
Do I still need to post on social media if I have a website?
It helps. Social media keeps regulars engaged; the website turns new visitors into customers. Even a post a week is worth it.