Website vs Social Media – Which Do you Need for Business

The online world is a busy place. You have to create a digital marketing strategy that helps you separate yourself from the pack. No matter what type of business you own, you need to have an online presence, but do you need a website or social media?

With over a billion people using Facebook and Instagram, there are tremendous opportunities to reach potential customers. But the right tools must be in place in order for your business to take full advantage of these channels. Today’s businesses must have a mobile presence as customers look to make purchases through their device of choice.

In this article, we cover the time-worn argument of website vs social media and look at the pros and cons of each so that businesses will be able to make an informed decision on whether to invest their resources in one or both channels.

What is the difference between a website and social media?

The difference between a website and social media is that a website is for creating content (In this case that informs, builds trust, and gives. A website displays or presents information about your business through static web pages. You can create different types of webpages that inform readers about the product and service you provide, build trust, and build credibility.

A social media page on the other hand is a web page that exists to promote a business, organization, or brand on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Social platforms exist to build relationships with customers and clients by communicating the value of your brand, inviting them to participate in content creation, providing customer service, advertising products, and more. For businesses, Social Media is the new buzz word. We can’t run away from it. But, in spite of all this, most businesses have not taken social media seriously. In fact, many have just jumped in without thinking of how to make use of it and what the outcomes could be- without a strategy!

To put it plainly, social media is all about relationship building and relationship marketing. It is a free forum where people can discover your business & services through word-of-mouth. It can also be used to expand your brand awareness, build trust, and sharpen your online reputation. However, there is a delicate balance that needs to be maintained between adding value and asking for something in return. The key to growing the number of followers on social media requires patience and perseverance – social media marketing is not an overnight sensation.

Bonus – The Two Most Important Social Media Tips You Need To Know

There are many things to consider when creating a social media strategy for your business. The first most important is knowing your target audience and where they hang out. The second factor is what social media platforms you should be using.

To start, we recommend creating a persona – this is a marketing term for describing the characteristics of your customers, creating a fictional character that represents your ideal customer.

If you already have personas, great! If not, easy enough to create one. Just write down all the different types of people that buy your products or services. When creating personas for social media, take into account demographics but focus more on psychographics – how they think and act, rather than their age, income level, or location.

To work out the social media platforms to use, work out where the persona you are targeting are likely to be, then get on social media and find them. Find out the questions they are asking and what is important to them.

Social Media is part of an Integrated strategy

Social media is a great way to expand your reach but is not the only way. In fact, if you need to sell a product or service, you might need something more than social media.  openhost.co.nz and web design is a great way to give your business the online visibility it deserves. Potential customers who like what they see on your social media accounts can then proceed to your website to get more information or carry out the transaction they are interested in.

Both channels – social media and a website are necessary for promoting your business online.

So what is the answer to the social media vs mobile website debate?

Which is better for your business; a mobile-friendly website or social media? For many small businesses, the answer to this question seems obvious: a mobile-friendly website. But should your business invest in a mobile-friendly website, or take advantage of the reach and benefits of social media?

When it comes to social media vs mobile websites, it’s not an either/or proposition. Mobile websites and social media are complementary. They can work together in a strategic effort to drive customers, enhance the brand awareness of your business, and even provide a simple, targeted customer service solution.

You can have a social media presence, but it’s just not the same as having your own website. Your own domain and URL is an indication of legitimacy, and it gives the search engines something physical to pull up in their searches. While other platforms can help you connect with audiences, the best way to generate revenue from your business is by creating a website.

A website is an important marketing tool for small businesses. Businesses with a strong online presence are more likely to attract new customers and retain existing ones. With so many possibilities of creating good content, it’s worth investing some time in creating a unique and useful website design.

Of course, it’s no secret that social media can be the most powerful marketing tool in your business arsenal. Marketers can track how many people see their updates, measure click-through rates, and even tell you where visitors are coming from. But while social media sites serve as a nice supporting vehicle for your business, you can’t ignore the importance of having an effective website. In fact, most people will want to avoid clickbait social media posts and instead head straight to your website for more information.

Final thoughts

Having a website is important for any business as it establishes an online presence and generates traffic. Also, in today’s age, digital marketing has increased its user engagement capabilities through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter in order to help businesses convert potential customers into actual buyers.

Businesses need to be visible and have a strong online presence in today’s world if they want to catch the eyes of their target consumers. Your audience wants to see you online engaging with them on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the rest, but there should also be a place they can find you outside social media – your website.