Facebook versus website
A big reason for this question being asked is the cost of creating and maintaining a website versus the zero cost of having a Facebook page. I know, with the economy as tough as it’s been, it’s easy to lean towards dumping the company website and simply going with the freebie Facebook page.
It’s questions like this one and many others perplexing business owners and managers that inspired me to chose this topic for this month’s newsletter. So, if the question at hand –- Facebook page or company website? — has you scratching your head, read on…
You get what you pay for.
The zero cost of Facebook is a pretty compelling reason to go with it. And, when you throw in the fact that you may have a fairly sizable fan base on Facebook, it’s easy to see why you might want to give your company website the heave-ho. But believe me when I say, a Facebook page is no substitute for a company website. For starters, when your business is only on Facebook, it’s at the mercy of another company; one that could change its direction, or its format, or its appeal. And it could do so all in the time it takes you to say, “MySpace.” Remember those guys? And you won’t be able to do a thing about it. Except delete your Facebook page. Hey, wait a minute, you can’t do that, you don’t have a company website anymore. So, whatever you do, please keep your website.
Keep your Facebook page, too. After all, being on Facebook and any other social media network like LinkedIn and Twitter should be one of the tools in your corporate marketing toolkit. But make no mistake, your company website (just like a brick and mortar store) should be the focal point to which all your other tools drive people. Plus, when you have your own website, you can make it be a great place for customers and prospects to go to learn all about your products and services, as well as about any special promotions you’re having, or for that matter anything else pertinent to your business.
Still think just having a Facebook is enough?
Think again.
- Your company page on Facebook can only be found by Facebook members. Sure, Facebook has a lot of members, but not nearly enough to justify your only having a presence on it.
- Your company website is just that. Yours and yours alone. That means you and only you can control it. That’s not the case with Facebook. Heck, it can add or disable a feature on your page without even telling you about it.
- Face it, Facebook is limiting. Your company website is not. On it, you can have order and feedback forms, an interactive customer chat area, embedded videos, and any other types of features that get attention, build brand, and create sales.
- Linking a blog to your company website is pretty easy, too. And if your blog is interesting (and there’s no reason why it couldn’t be), people will follow it by RSS feeds, Digg, and other means.
- You can include revenue-generating ads on your company website. Try doing that on your Facebook page. On second thought, don’t waste your time, because Facebook only has room on its page, ‘er we mean, your page for its own money making ads.
Keep the conversation with us going and growing
Thanks for reading this month’s Ferrante Speaks newsletter and learning about how variable data printing added to your printing mix helps companies grow.
If you’d like to learn more about the thinking around here at Ferrante & Associates all you need to do is Call 339 222-9232 and ask to speak with Audrey Ferrante or subscribe to our blogs (LINK TO SUBSCRIBE). You may also wish to follow us on Twitter , Google+ or Facebook.
