"Do I really need a website? I just use Facebook/Instagram." We hear this more often than you'd think. The short answer: yes, you absolutely need a website. Here's why—and what it should actually do for your business.
The Problem With Social Media Only
You Don't Own It
Your Facebook page, Instagram profile, or Google Business listing isn't yours. It's rented space on someone else's platform. These platforms can and do:
- Change algorithms, tanking your reach overnight
- Change policies, restricting what you can post or sell
- Get hacked, losing your content and followers
- Ban accounts (sometimes by mistake)
- Shut down entirely (remember MySpace?)
Businesses that built everything on Facebook have seen organic reach drop from 16% to under 5%. Those relying solely on Instagram face similar algorithm challenges.
Limited Functionality
Social platforms are designed for their purposes, not yours:
- Limited information architecture
- Can't collect leads how you want
- Can't control the user journey
- Limited SEO benefit
- Distracting environment (competitors, ads, notifications)
Perception Issues
A business without a website often appears:
- Less established or professional
- Not serious about their business
- Temporary or unreliable
Whether fair or not, consumers make judgments based on web presence.
What a Website Actually Does
1. Establishes Credibility
84% of consumers believe a business with a website is more credible than one with only a social media page. Your website is often the first impression—make it count.
2. Works 24/7
Your website:
- Answers questions while you sleep
- Accepts enquiries after hours
- Provides information on demand
- Never takes a day off
3. Captures Search Traffic
When someone Googles "plumber Byron Bay" or "dentist Sydney CBD," they find websites—not Instagram pages. Without a website, you're invisible to:
- 46% of Google searches with local intent
- People researching before buying
- Customers comparing options
4. Gives You Control
Your website lets you:
- Present information in the order you choose
- Design the customer journey
- Collect data on your terms
- Make changes instantly
- Own your customer relationships
5. Supports All Other Marketing
Every marketing channel works better with a website:
- Google Ads needs landing pages
- Social media needs somewhere to send traffic
- Email marketing needs content to share
- Business cards need a URL
- Google Business Profile links to your site
What Your Website Should Actually Do
A website isn't just an online brochure. It should work as a business tool:
Minimum Requirements
- Clear value proposition: What you do, who you do it for, why you're different
- Contact information: Phone, email, location—easy to find
- Service/product details: What you offer, explained clearly
- Trust signals: Reviews, credentials, experience
- Call to action: What should visitors do next?
- Mobile-friendly: Over half your visitors are on mobile
- Fast loading: Slow sites lose visitors
Should Have
- About page telling your story
- FAQ addressing common questions
- Blog or resources section
- Location/service area pages
- Case studies or portfolio
"But I Can't Afford a Website"
Let's address this directly:
The Real Costs
- DIY website builder: $150-$500/year
- Basic professional site: $1,500-$3,000
- Quality professional site: $3,000-$10,000
- Ongoing hosting: $10-$50/month
The Cost of NOT Having One
Consider what you're losing:
- Customers who Google your service and find competitors instead
- Referrals who can't find information to share
- Prospects who can't research you before calling
- Trust you'd build with a professional presence
If one additional customer per month covers your website cost, it pays for itself.
DIY vs Professional
When DIY Works
- Very small budget (under $1,500)
- Simple business with simple needs
- You're comfortable with technology
- You have time to learn and maintain
- Design isn't critical to your brand
When to Go Professional
- Your website needs to generate leads
- You're in a competitive market
- Professional image matters
- You need custom functionality
- SEO is important
- You don't have time to DIY
The Integration Approach
Website and social media aren't either/or—they work together:
- Website: Your home base, owned content, conversion-focused
- Social media: Audience building, engagement, traffic driver
- Google Business Profile: Local visibility, reviews, quick info
Each platform has a role. Your website is the hub everything else connects to.
Getting Started
If you don't have a website, start here:
- Get a domain: YourBusinessName.com.au ($15-$30/year)
- Choose your path: DIY builder or professional development
- Focus on basics: Clear message, contact info, mobile-friendly
- Connect to Google: Set up Google Business Profile and link to your site
- Improve over time: Add content, optimise based on data
A simple, professional website is better than a complex mess or no website at all. Start somewhere and improve from there.
The Bottom Line
In 2024, a website isn't optional for serious businesses. It's your digital home—the one place online you fully control. Social media is great for reach and engagement, but your website is where business gets done.
If you're relying solely on social media, you're building on rented land. One algorithm change, one policy update, one hack—and you could lose everything you've built.
Invest in your own digital presence. It's one of the few marketing assets you truly own.