Social Media or Website? Which One Should You Focus On?

Imagine your business relied entirely on social media. One algorithm change, or one accidental policy violation, and your audience could vanish in an instant. Should you be focusing all your marketing efforts on social media, or is your website a safer way to establish your online presence? Let’s find out.

Assume you’ve built a solid following on Instagram and TikTok, posting regularly and engaging with customers. But one day, your account is suddenly banned, no warning, no explanation. That’s exactly what happened to Stand Up to Racism in January 2025, when its Facebook page was taken down with no explanation for the removal.

This is the risk of relying solely on social media. While platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn are fantastic for visibility, they don’t give you full control over your business’s online presence. That’s where a website comes in.

So, should you put all your effort into social media, or is a website the better investment? The truth is, both have their place — but only one is truly yours to control. Let’s break it down.

The Benefits of Social Media for Small Businesses

Social Media or Website? Social media is an incredible tool for attracting attention and engaging with customers. It’s free and easy to use, creating a business profile on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn takes minutes and costs nothing. Social media is highly visual and engaging, with short-form video content on TikTok and Instagram Reels being particularly effective for grabbing attention and showcasing products. It also enables instant customer interaction, allowing businesses to respond to messages, comments, and reviews in real time.While social media sounds like a perfect solution for business marketing, there are serious drawbacks. Share on X

Additionally, social media offers targeted advertising that allows businesses to focus on specific user interests, location, and behaviour, enabling more precise marketing. There’s also the viral potential, if a post gains traction, it can quickly reach thousands or even millions of people overnight.

While social media sounds like a perfect solution for business marketing, there are serious drawbacks.

Social Media or Website? The Limitations of Relying Only on Social Media

One of the biggest issues with relying solely on social media is that you don’t own your audience. Your followers are only accessible through the platform; if your account gets suspended or banned, you lose access to them entirely. Furthermore, algorithms control your reach—if the platform changes its algorithm, your visibility can be significantly reduced, making it harder for followers to see your content. If the platform changes its algorithm, your visibility can be significantly reduced. Share on X

Another challenge is that trends change quickly. What’s popular on TikTok or Instagram today might be irrelevant tomorrow, so businesses have to constantly adapt to stay relevant. Social media also doesn’t offer the same SEO benefits as a website does. Posts on these platforms have a short lifespan, which means they won’t help your business rank on Google or other search engines.

Finally, social media platforms limit your branding and customisation options. You’re confined to the design and layout of the platform, which means your business may not be able to present itself in a way that fully represents your brand. Social media platforms limit your branding and customisation options. Share on X

These limitations highlight why businesses that rely solely on social media face the risk of losing everything if the platform changes or disappears altogether. A website, however, gives you full control over your digital presence.

Why a Website is Essential for Your Business

Your website acts as your digital storefront—the one place online that you own and control. Unlike social media, no one can take your website away from you. It’s yours to manage and maintain as long as you want. Furthermore, a well-optimised website helps your business rank on Google, making it easier for customers to find you organically. Unlike social media posts, a website works for you 24/7, continuously attracting potential customers. Share on X

Having a professional website with your own domain (such as yourbusiness.co.uk) also lends credibility and trustworthiness to your brand, providing a level of professionalism that social media accounts can’t match. A website allows you to share detailed information about your business in an organised way, whether that’s through pricing, FAQs, booking systems, or contact forms.

Unlike social media posts, which disappear in hours, a website works for you 24/7—continuously attracting potential customers and providing them with the information they need to make decisions.

If social media serves as your main marketing tool, your website should be the foundation that supports and solidifies your online presence. The two work best together.

Social Media or Website? The Best Strategy

Rather than choosing one over the other, the most effective strategy is to combine both social media and a website. Social media can be used to attract and engage potential customers by posting updates, showcasing products, and interacting with followers. However, you should direct traffic from your social media platforms to your website, where visitors can learn more, book services, or make purchases.

Your website also provides the ideal platform for search engine optimisation (SEO). By creating valuable content, such as blog posts or articles, you can help your website rank higher on Google and other search engines, bringing in more organic traffic.

Additionally, capturing leads on your website and nurturing them through email marketing campaigns is an effective way to stay connected and convert visitors into long-term customers.

Own Your Online Presence, Don’t Rent It

Social media is great for marketing and brand building, but it shouldn’t be your only online presence. A website offers stability, credibility, and control over your brand. It’s the one place where you can fully express your business’s identity and connect with customers on your terms. When clients need to check your credibility, they always look on your website before calling you. if the question is “social media or website?” the answer has to be “Yes.”

If you’re ready to build a website that supports your business and integrates your social media strategy, we can help. Get in touch today.