For most small businesses, the useful question is not whether to choose a website or social media. They do different jobs and can work together.
What social media is good at
Social platforms are useful for posting recent work, sharing updates, speaking with customers and reaching people who already spend time on those platforms. They can be especially useful for visual businesses such as salons, trades, gyms and valeting companies.
What a business website adds
A website gives you a dedicated place to explain your services, show genuine work, answer common questions and give customers clear ways to call, message, enquire or book. You also control the domain and the structure of the customer journey rather than relying entirely on a third-party profile.
What about Google searches?
A useful website gives search engines pages about your real services, business and areas served. That does not guarantee rankings, but it gives your business an owned web presence that can be discovered and improved over time.
Do you need to abandon social media?
No. A practical setup is to use social media for activity and conversation, while using your website as the central place for service information, enquiries and bookings. Your profiles can link to your website and your website can link customers to the social channels you actually use.
What should a small business prioritise?
Start with accurate business information, a mobile-friendly website, clear contact options and the social channels you can realistically keep active. If you are planning a new site, see what a small business website should include or explore LocalWebs website design.
LocalWebs works remotely with businesses across the UK, Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey, with a free website preview available before a business decides whether to proceed.