Do I Need a Website for My Business, or Is Social Media Enough?
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If you’re just getting your business off the ground, you’ve probably asked yourself this question more than once:
Do I really need a website for my business, or is social media enough for now?
Social media feels easy. It’s familiar. You can create an account in minutes and start showing up right away. For many new business owners, it feels like the logical first step.
But as soon as people start hearing about you, referring you, or looking you up, the question shifts from “Where can I show up?” to “Where can people actually learn about my business?”
That’s where the difference between social media and a website becomes very clear.
Quick Takeaway (If You’re Short on Time)
Social media is rented space. You don’t own the platform, the rules, or your reach.
A website gives you control, credibility, and clarity.
Most people look for a website first, then check social media to validate trust.
A one-page website is often the smartest starting point for new and small businesses.
Social media works best when it supports your website, not replaces it.
Table of Contents
The Big Problem With Using Social Media as Your Business Home
You’re Not Fully in Control of Your Brand on Social Media
How Most People Vet a New Business Online
A Website Creates Credibility. Social Media Supports It.
Website vs Social Media for Business: What a Website Gives You
Why a One-Page Website Is Often the Perfect Starting Point
The Big Problem With Using Social Media as Your Business Home
When your business lives entirely on social media, you don’t actually own anything.
You don’t own the platform.
You don’t own the rules.
You don’t even fully own access to your audience.
Platforms can change how they operate at any time. Algorithms shift. Accounts get restricted or shut down. And when, not if, that happens, you have no say in the outcome.
You’re also at the mercy of the algorithm to get in front of people who already follow you. That’s a lot of risk to place on something that’s supposed to support your business long-term.
You’re Not Fully in Control of Your Brand on Social Media
Social media also limits how you position your business.
You’re working within someone else’s structure:
Fixed layouts
Content formats you didn’t choose
Character limits
Platform trends that may not fit your brand
You’re constantly adapting your message to fit the platform instead of designing an experience that actually works for your business.
Having your own website changes that completely.
How Most People Vet a New Business Online
When someone hears about a business for the first time. Through a referral, a Google search, or social media. There’s usually a predictable next step.
They look you up.
In many cases, that looks like this:
They visit your website to understand what you do, who you help, and whether you feel legitimate.
If they like what they see, then they check your social media to see if you’re active and how you show up.
They scan for consistency, engagement, and what others are saying.
Your website answers the practical questions.
Your social media reinforces trust and personality.
When you don’t have a website, that process breaks. People are forced to piece things together across platforms, and many won’t take the time to do that. Not because they aren’t interested, but because clarity matters.
A Website Creates Credibility.
Social Media Supports It.
It’s super easy to create a social media account and call it a business. And there’s no shame in starting there.
But a website sends a different signal.
It shows that:
You take your business seriously
You’re invested in something long-term
You’ve created a clear place for people to learn, trust, and take action
Social media can support credibility. It rarely creates it on its own.
Website vs Social Media for Business: What a Website Gives You
With your own website, you can:
Clearly explain what you do and who it’s for
Sell your products or services without platform limitations
Collect email addresses and build an email list you own (learn more about why building your email list is SO important)
Showcase your work through a portfolio or case studies
Share your expertise through blogs or resources
Highlight partnerships, certifications, or press
Define a clear goal for your website and guide people toward it (for example: Schedule a call, fill out a form, purchase something)
Control how information is laid out and how potential clients move through your site
Customize contact forms to collect the information you actually need to close the sale
Social media is designed to keep people on the platform.
Your website is designed to help people move closer to working with you.
Why a One-Page Website Is Often the Perfect Starting Point
This is where a lot of new and small business owners get stuck.
They think:
“I’ll wait until I’m more established.”
“I need a big website with lots of pages.”
“I don’t even know where to start.”
Here’s the truth.
You don’t need a massive website to get started.
A one-page website for a small business can:
Clearly communicate what you offer
Position you professionally
Give you a confident place to send referrals
Grow with you over time
That’s exactly why I offer Website in a Day, a focused, one-page website designed to get something real, strategic, and live without the overwhelm of a multi-page build.
A Real Example of When a One-Page Website Makes Sense
When KKC Property Management came to me, they didn’t have a website at all.
They had been around for a bit and were getting referrals. But there was nowhere to send them.
No place for potential clients to:
Learn what they do
Understand how they work
See how they compared to competitors who already had websites
Their competitors had a website. They didn’t. And that gap mattered.
A full multi-page website wasn’t realistic yet. They didn’t have the time, resources, or budget for a larger build. But they did understand the importance of having something real and professional that represented their business.
So we focused on what mattered most right now.
We built a one-page Squarespace website that clearly explains their services, gives referrals a place to land, and positions them as a legitimate business.
Check out the case study for this one-page Squarespace website project.
What they have today is set up to grow with them. As their services expand and resources become available, the site can grow without starting over. It’s a foundation, not a temporary fix.
Social Media Is a Tool. Your Website Is the Anchor.
Social media plays an important role in visibility and connection.
But your website is where:
You control the experience
You control the message
You control how your business shows up
Social media brings people in.
Your website gives them a reason to stay, trust you, and take the next step.
And that control is what helps your business grow with confidence.
Not Sure If What You Have Is Actually Working?
You might already have something. A website, social media, or both. But you’re still asking:
Is this helping my business?
Is it clear enough?
Is it doing what it needs to do?
That’s where a Website Strategy Session makes sense. Especially if you want clarity before investing further.
It’s a focused space to get honest, strategic feedback on what’s working, what’s missing, and how your website can better support your business as it grows.
FAQs
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Not necessarily on day one. But as soon as people are hearing about you, referring you, or looking you up, having a website becomes important.
A website gives you a clear, intentional place to send people so they can understand what you do, who you help, and how to work with you. It helps you show up as a legitimate business, even in the early stages.
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Social media can support your business, but it’s rarely enough on its own.
You don’t own the platform, the rules, or your reach. And it’s not designed to guide people toward a specific next step. A website gives you control over your message, your positioning, and the experience someone has with your brand.
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That’s exactly why a one-page website can be such a good starting point.
You don’t need a large, multi-page site to be professional or effective. A focused one-page website can clearly communicate what you offer, support referrals, and grow with you over time. It’s a practical, strategic first step.
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Yes!! And that’s often the smartest approach.
A well-structured one-page website can be built with growth in mind. As your services expand or your resources change, your site can evolve into a larger website without starting over.
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In many cases, people hear about a business first through a referral, search, or social media. Then they look it up.
They often visit the website to understand what the business does and decide if it feels legitimate. If they like what they see, they’ll check social media to validate trust, consistency, and personality.
Your website sets the foundation. Social media reinforces it.
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That’s very common.
You might have a website and still feel unsure if it’s clear, effective, or actually supporting your business goals. In that case, getting a second set of eyes can be incredibly helpful.
A Website Strategy Session is designed to give you honest, strategic feedback on what’s working, what’s missing, and what to focus on next.
