A Facebook is a great tool for your business to share your work and do paid advertising to a specific targetted group of people, but a facebook page is a tool and NOT an alternative to a website. 

It doesn’t look professional or legit. (For years, studies have shown that a good website instantly adds perceived value or credibility to products and services.)

It has significant design limitations. Hard to show your creativity.

It’s a place for conversation, Not a B2B platform

It can be shutdown at any time. I had a few clients who lost their whole account and had to start from scratch with 0 follower.

Facebook (like other older social media) will phase out. Not everyone has a facebook account and most younger adults don't use facebook anymore. (In September 2018, it was estimated that 44% of young millennials (aged 18-29) have unfriended Facebook, and studies have shown that Gen Z will probably kill Facebook.)

You can't really work on extensive SEO with facebook.

It's work ok for simple information but more difficult to use if you start expending your website.

You can't add Google analytics to see specifics stats or know where your visitors came from.

 

 

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Although Facebook can be a useful tool for sharing your business with a target market and running paid advertising campaigns, it cannot replace having a website. Facebook does not appear professional or legitimate and there are limited design opportunities. The platform is designed for conversations and does not lend itself well to B2B transactions. Your account could also be shutdown at any time without notice, as I have experienced with one of my clients who had to completely start over after losing their account. Additionally, with the advent of newer social media platforms, Facebook (as well as older social platforms) may become less popular or even obsolete in the future; even many youths today no longer use it. Furthermore, SEO work is extremely challenging on the platform as compared to a website where you have far more control. Lastly, unlike websites you cannot add Google Analytics to track detailed stats and know precisely where your visitors are coming from.

 

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Why Facebook Should Not Replace Your Company Website

Facebook is a powerful platform for businesses, but it should not be used as a website alternative. While there are some benefits to using Facebook as a business page, it is ultimately not an ideal choice for a company’s main website. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why Facebook should not replace your company website.

Facebook is not a secure platform
One of the main reasons why Facebook is not a good alternative website to use as your main business website is because it is not a secure platform. When it comes to best website practices, security is a top priority. Unfortunately, Facebook has a history of security breaches and data leaks. This puts your business and your customers at risk. If you are using Facebook as your main business website, you are putting your company's reputation in the hands of an insecure platform. This is not a risk that you should take lightly. It's much better to invest in a secure, dedicated business website that you have full control over and that is designed specifically for your business needs.

You have no control over the design of your Facebook page
One of the most important aspects of a business website is the design. It is crucial to create a professional and consistent visual experience for visitors. However, with Facebook not being an alternative website, you have no control over the design of your Facebook page. Facebook only provides pre-built templates that are limited in functionality and customization. This is not best website practice as a unique design is essential to represent the brand’s values and identity. By relying solely on Facebook, you may be missing out on creating a unique experience for your customers and losing the opportunity to stand out from the competition. Remember, a well-designed website can go a long way in building brand awareness, credibility, and trust among potential customers. So, it is always best to invest in a custom website that reflects your brand and resonates with your target audience.

Facebook pages are not indexable by search engines
One of the biggest downsides of using Facebook as your main business website is that Facebook pages are not indexable by search engines. This means that your page won't appear in Google or other search engine results pages. This can seriously hamper your efforts to attract new customers or clients, especially if you're relying on people searching for your products or services online.
As best website practice, you want your website to be easily discoverable by search engines and visible to potential customers who are looking for what you offer. If your website isn't indexed by search engines, it's like having a store located in an obscure, hidden corner of a city - people won't find you unless they're specifically looking for you.
By using Facebook as your primary website, you're limiting your exposure to the vast online marketplace, which could result in missed opportunities for growth and revenue. So, while it may be tempting to rely solely on Facebook as an alternative website, it's crucial to understand its limitations and invest in a proper business website that's built to maximize your online presence.

Facebook limits the amount of information you can include
One of the biggest limitations of using Facebook as your main business website is the platform's limited information capacity. While Facebook does offer several sections to input details about your business, these sections are often limited in terms of the amount of text or images you can add. This makes it difficult to provide a comprehensive overview of your business, services, or products.
For instance, you can only add a few lines of text in the "About" section, and you can't include long-form descriptions of your services or products. Additionally, Facebook doesn't allow you to customize the layout of your page beyond choosing a cover photo and profile picture.
Moreover, if you want to include more detailed information, you'll have to use third-party apps or create links to external websites. This can create a disjointed user experience and may deter potential customers from engaging with your brand.
Overall, Facebook is not an alternative to a website for businesses looking to create a professional, informative, and user-friendly online presence. It's essential to invest in a dedicated website that allows you to customize your layout, add comprehensive information about your business, and maintain full control over your brand's online presence.

Facebook pages are not permanent
One major downside of using Facebook as your primary business website is the fact that Facebook pages are not permanent. What does this mean exactly? Well, for starters, Facebook has the ability to change their algorithms at any time, which can affect the visibility of your page. In addition, if Facebook were to shut down or delete your page for any reason, you would lose all of your content and followers. 
This lack of permanence is a huge risk for businesses, especially those who rely heavily on their online presence. If you invest time, money, and effort into building up your Facebook page, only to have it disappear in an instant, you're essentially back to square one. 
This is why Facebook should not be considered a reliable alternative to a proper company website. A website that you own and control gives you a permanent online presence that can't be taken away from you. With a website, you can ensure that your content, design, and branding remain consistent and accessible to your customers at all times. 
In summary, Facebook may seem like an easy and convenient solution for businesses looking to establish an online presence, but the lack of permanence and control over your content makes it a risky choice. It's always better to invest in a proper website that you own and control, and that will serve as a permanent online home for your business.

It doesn’t look professional or legit
When it comes to showcasing your business, appearances matter. Unfortunately, Facebook does not provide the professional look that a dedicated business website does. By using Facebook as your main website, you risk looking unprofessional and lacking in legitimacy. Customers expect businesses to have their own dedicated websites, with custom domains, professional design, and easy-to-find information. Using Facebook as your alternative website can leave a negative impression on potential customers, who may perceive your business as unprofessional or lacking credibility. Therefore, Facebook is not an alternative to a dedicated website, if you want to establish a trustworthy image and attract serious customers.

It has significant design limitations
Using Facebook as your primary business website has its own set of limitations, especially in terms of design. Unlike your own website, Facebook does not allow you to create a custom layout that aligns with your branding or incorporates advanced features to make your website stand out. Instead, you are limited to pre-designed templates and basic layout options. 
This lack of control over your design can ultimately harm your brand image and prevent you from providing a professional-looking website that your audience can rely on. Additionally, since you do not have a unique domain name, your business's Facebook page might get lost amongst thousands of other pages that look and function similarly.
Furthermore, Facebook's design templates are not always up-to-date and may not match the evolving needs of your business. As a result, your website may look outdated or lacking in functionality, which could deter customers from engaging with your brand. In contrast, a standalone website provides complete design flexibility, allowing you to create a tailored user experience that meets the exact needs of your business. 
Ultimately, using Facebook as a replacement for your website may seem convenient in the short term, but in the long run, it will only hurt your brand's credibility and reliability. As such, it is critical to invest in a website that showcases your brand's strengths and provides your audience with the necessary tools and resources they need to engage with your business effectively. Facebook is not an alternative website; it is a complementary tool that should be used alongside a robust, professional website to establish your brand online and drive conversions.

It’s a place for conversation, Not a B2B platform
One thing that Facebook is really good at is facilitating conversations between people. That's what it was designed for and what it's been successful at. However, using Facebook as a main website for your business is not ideal, especially if you're in the B2B industry.
Facebook is not designed for B2B transactions. It's great for conversations, but not for conducting business. A B2B website needs to have certain features that Facebook simply doesn't provide. For example, a website should be easy to navigate, provide a way for customers to contact you directly, and showcase your products and services. 
On the other hand, Facebook pages are limited in what they can offer. You can't design the layout the way you want, so you can't optimize the page for user experience. Plus, you can't embed forms, so customers can't inquire or place orders directly on your Facebook page. All in all, Facebook is not an alternative website if you're serious about B2B transactions.

It can be shutdown at any time. I had a client who lost her whole account and had to start from scratch.

Facebook (like other older social media) will phase out. Even todays most kids don't use facebook.
It’s important to remember that Facebook is not an alternative to having a company website. While it may be a useful tool for marketing and engagement, relying solely on Facebook can be risky. As mentioned earlier, Facebook is not a permanent platform, and its relevance may wane over time.
Just like other older social media platforms, Facebook may eventually phase out as newer platforms emerge. Even today's younger generation may not be using Facebook as much as their older counterparts. This is why it’s important to invest in a dedicated website that you have complete control over and can adapt as technology and trends evolve.
Having a website also helps to establish credibility and professionalism. It shows that you’re invested in your business and that you’re serious about providing valuable information and services to your customers.
Overall, while Facebook can be a useful tool for businesses, it’s important to remember that it should not be relied upon as the main platform for your business. Investing in a dedicated website is the best way to establish a solid online presence that can withstand changes in technology and social media trends.

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