Facebook was initially created to connect people with their friends and family. Over time, their goals shifted as they discovered they could connect people with more than just friends and family, all while making themselves richer.
With a platform full of scroll-happy users, Facebook discovered that they could inject sponsored posts and ads into users’ feeds. These small ads would not interfere with the user experience but instead would gently nudge the users into possibly purchasing or subscribing to the services being shown, especially because the ads were targeted to them. And that is why many businesses wonder whether a website is better than a Facebook page.
Below are three reasons why a website is better than a Facebook page.
A Website Allows a Company to Control Their Message
While Facebook is a quick and easy solution to creating a company/brand/page, it does so at a cost to companies.
Facebook limits how companies can interact with their customers. While companies can create a page for visitors to see, Facebook controls how the page will look, the layout it will follow, and what companies can say (or not say). If Facebook changes its layout, a company’s page may suffer when its visitors dislike the new look.
Plus, Facebook is built on a blog-first platform, whereas companies have a product-first or service-first vision. As such, platforms like Facebook require constant attention as they need fresh content to keep drawing visitors back to their pages.
When it comes to a company’s message, being able to say everything matters.
Rankings
Every company wants to appear in the Google Top 3; that’s the holy grail. However, Facebook pages do not have the clout to overcome their website peers.
Perform a search right now for a competitor, and you will not find a Facebook page in the Top 3. Instead, the results will be websites with a .com or a .org name (not a Facebook link).
Google and other major search engines all look at a plethora of metrics to rank a website. SEO studies have shown that websites have a better chance of providing what a user wants than a Facebook page. That means websites consistently outperform their Facebook page counterparts.
When it comes to advertising platforms, rankings matter.
Credibility
Companies understand the importance of credibility. Credibility is what draws new customers in, keeps them coming back, and gives them a reason to tell their friends to use them, too. And that’s why companies should use a website over a Facebook page.
Anyone can create a Facebook page in minutes. They can use fake pictures, images, and even text to manipulate visitors into giving away their money without a second thought. Even worse, they can buy fake reviews and comments to make them appear legitimate.
Visitors will generally look into a company first before purchasing. If they cannot find a website, they will keep looking for a more reputable company. A properly built website usually will put visitors’ worries at bay.
When it comes to credibility, having a strong digital footprint matters.
Wrap Up
Businesses look at many marketing platforms to reach the masses. During their quest, they will ask certain questions that every company ends up asking.
- Do we need a website?
- Do we need a Facebook page?
- Do we need other social media platforms?
- Isn’t a Facebook page the same as a website?
However, as discussed earlier, a website should be the online destination (the virtual storefront). In the past, a brick-and-mortar location was essential to a company’s success. Now, a website is essential to a company’s success. While there are “one-off” situations where a company thrives on a vanilla approach using only social media channels, this is not common, and you have to have a vast understanding of online marketing techniques and how to take advantage of impulsive human emotions.
A website is your virtual brick-and-mortar location. Using a website gives a company more control over its brand, products, and messaging. However, a website is only one cog in a complex world of “SEO gears.” As such, it should be your starting point, not the ending point. For a brand to succeed, it needs more than a website. Rather than asking why a website is better than a Facebook page, brands should ask how can they use other channels to make their website stronger and rank higher. Making all those SEO gears work seamlessly will perform better than a website alone.
