"I already have a Facebook page. Do I really need a website too?"
I hear this all the time from small business owners. It's a fair question. Facebook is free, you're already on it, and your customers are there. Why pay for a website?
Here's the short answer: a Facebook page and a website do different things. Most businesses need both. Let me explain why.
What Facebook Does Well
Staying connected with existing customers. People who already know you can follow your page, see your updates, and engage with your content. It's a relationship tool.
Social proof through comments and shares. When people tag friends, share your posts, or leave comments, it builds trust and spreads word-of-mouth.
Quick updates and announcements. Changed your hours? Running a special? Closed for weather? Facebook lets you tell followers instantly.
Community engagement. Responding to comments, sharing local news, posting behind-the-scenes content—Facebook is built for this.
What Facebook Doesn't Do
Here's where it falls short:
Facebook Doesn't Show Up in Google Searches
When someone searches "plumber Louisville" or "best pizza near me," Google shows websites and Google Business Profiles. Facebook pages almost never appear in these results.
If you're not in those search results, you're invisible to most potential customers.
You Don't Control Facebook
Facebook changes its algorithm whenever it wants. Your posts might reach 20% of followers... or 2%. You have no control over this.
They can also shut down your page without warning. Hacked account? Flagged by mistake? False copyright claim? Your page could disappear overnight. I've seen it happen.
Your website? You own it. No one can take it away.
Facebook Looks Less Professional
When someone gets your name from a referral and looks you up, what do they find?
- A Facebook page that hasn't been updated in 3 months, or...
- A professional website with your services, pricing, and contact info?
The business with a real website looks more established. More trustworthy. More professional.
Facebook Doesn't Convert Visitors to Customers
A Facebook page is designed to keep people on Facebook—not to turn them into your customers.
A website is designed with one goal: get people to call you, fill out a form, or make a purchase. Phone number front and center. Clear services. Simple contact form. Everything built around conversion.
Ready for a Real Website?
Professional website, live in 1-2 weeks. $950 to start.
Call (502) 305-4043The Real Question: New Customers or Existing Customers?
Here's the simplest way to think about it:
- Facebook is for people who already know you
- Website is for people who don't know you yet
If all your business comes from referrals and repeat customers, Facebook might be enough... for now.
But if you want new customers—people actively searching for what you do—you need a website.
How They Work Together
The smartest approach is using both:
- Website captures new customers searching Google
- Google Business Profile puts you on Google Maps (free)
- Facebook keeps existing customers engaged
Each platform does what it's good at. Together, they cover all your bases.
Example: Someone searches "electrician Louisville." They find your website. You do the job. Then they follow you on Facebook. Next time they need something, they see your post and call again. Next time their neighbor needs an electrician, they share your post. That's how the ecosystem works.
What If I Can Only Afford One?
If you truly can only choose one, here's my advice:
If you're brand new and have zero budget: Start with a Facebook page and Google Business Profile (both free). Get some revenue coming in.
If you're established and want to grow: Website first. Facebook can't find you new customers if you're not showing up in search.
But honestly, a website costs less than most people think. I build professional small business websites for $950. That's one new customer for most businesses.
The "Facebook Is Free" Myth
Yes, creating a Facebook page costs $0. But consider:
- Time spent posting content, responding to comments, managing the page
- Paid ads to reach your own followers (organic reach is declining every year)
- Lost customers who never found you because you weren't in Google search
Free in dollars. Not free in time or opportunity cost.
Meanwhile, a website works 24/7 without you touching it. Someone searches at midnight, finds your site, calls you the next morning. Zero effort on your part.
Real Talk: What I See With Clients
I've built websites for businesses that relied on Facebook for years. Here's what they tell me after launching a website:
"I didn't realize how many people were searching for what I do. I thought everyone found businesses through Facebook." — Landscaper, Louisville
"Within a month of launching my website, I got calls from people in areas I've never advertised in. They just searched and found me." — Plumber, Jeffersonville
Facebook is a walled garden. People inside the garden can see you. But most of your potential customers are outside, searching Google.
The Verdict
For most local businesses, you need both. Facebook maintains relationships with existing customers. A website brings in new customers from search. They work together, not against each other. If you had to pick just one, pick the website—because you can't grow on referrals and repeat customers forever.
Quick Comparison
- Facebook: Free, good for engagement, poor for search visibility, you don't own it
- Website: ~$950 + hosting, excellent for search visibility, full control, professional credibility
- Google Business Profile: Free, essential for Google Maps, complements your website
The winning combo: all three working together.
Next Steps
If you're ready to stop being invisible in Google search:
- Set up your Google Business Profile (free, do it today)
- Get a professional website (I can help with that)
- Keep your Facebook page active for existing customers
Questions? Give me a call. I'll give you honest advice about what you actually need—even if that means telling you a website can wait.