While having a dynamic web site is something most businesses should have, if you’re a small company just starting out, it might look more like an additional expense than a genuine resource.
For companies facing that decision, let me remind you that while Facebook is at its heart a social platform, it also serves all of the same functions as a very basic web site.
If your company trying to develop a web presence in the most cost-effective way possible, consider taking the amount you would have spent on a web site and apply it towards developing your business’s Facebook profile.
Here’s why:
The Basics
- On a Facebook page, you will have listed your company’s name, contact details, opening hours and more. This would appear on your web site, too.
- Every Facebook page comes with a built in CMS (content management system). You can upload links, images, photos and more. There is also a “notes” section that doubles as a blog, if you aren’t already running one off of one of the many blogging platforms.
- On a web site you’re likely to have a calendar of upcoming events, or in-store specials. While it’s not as pretty or customizable as what you would get on a custom web site, the basic function exists. An added plus, however, is that you can create an event and invite customers to attend.
The Perks
- Using Facebook as your company’s main online hub brings with it a few added perks that using a standard web site does not offer. At its core, Facbeook is a social platform. This allows your company to connect with customers in more direct ways.
- Having a content schedule means that the conversation is always ongoing. Each day you have a new topic that you’ll post about, and get comments from your customers.
- Company Facebook pages offer solutions for developing, promoting and implementing sales and special offers, directly to your customers, without the need for circulars.
- Facebook offers hundreds of applications that can be applied to your page, that create more dynamic, website-like experiences for customers.
There are more perks than just these, but you get the picture.
Dynamic web sites are useful to have for businesses. But for those just starting out, Facebook offers another option that should be considered.
Image credit: Kris Krug/Flickr