The ZIM Blog

Sometimes we are asked whether it is better to have a website or Facebook page. Our usual response is why limit it to just one? Besides, depending on your business and its goals, you may not be able to get away with just one or the other.

Here are a few implications on just having a Facebook Page or just a website:

Just a Facebook Page

• You are limited to Facebook's layout. Unless you get your page professionally designed by a company that specialises in this type of work, you risk your business just blending in with the crowd.
• Facebook doesn't give you much room to play with. Apart from your pages profile picture and the text only description fields for basic info, you need custom tabs installed in order to brand any part of the page. Even then, you can only work with a box that is only 520px wide.
• You can't embed a dynamic Google Map, Streetview, or any other cool gadgets on a page unless you make your own app (something a lot of small businesses won't have the know-how or time to do). The same goes for any custom software application your organisation needs.
• You can't host files needed for branding on Facebook. Sure you can store them in Photo Albums, but they're not terribly useful when it comes to laying out your page.
• E-commerce? Are you kidding? Get ready to jump through a series of hoops. Even then, the experience may not be what you envisioned it to be.

Just a website

• Your competitors are more than likely already using Facebook. Show everyone that you are a foward-thinking business. It may open up some opportunities you were not previously aware of.
• You can publish more content frequently, even if it is only short updates or replies to customer questions. It shows that your business is modern and fresh, not stale and outdated.
• You simply cannot ignore Facebook! With more than 500 million users, somebody, SOMEWHERE has something to say about your business!!! You would want to make sure that it's something good they have to say!
• Sure, you can build a complete custom user feedback system, but why re-invent the wheel? Facebook is a great way to get customer feedback. Better yet, getting feedback here means you can follow up with customers easily. Someone saying something bad about your business? Give them great customer service and show EVERYONE your business is doing the right thing!
• Got some news you need to tell everybody about right now? Put it on Facebook for instant publication! Facebook has the added advantage that it can be accessed by mobile phones. Now your business doesn't have just a 24/7 presence; it now has a 24/7 + everywhere and anywhere presence!

So there you have it: some quick points as to why its best to combine both approaches to online marketing.

Have a great weekend!

Tags: business, Facebook, marketing, web design