Your website needs a Facebook page

The definition of Yin and Yang thanks to our friends at Wikipedia reads as:

“Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, (for instance shadow cannot exist without light). Either of the two major aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object, depending on the criterion of the observation. The yin yang shows a balance between two opposites with a little bit in each.”

Today we are looking at social media (such as Facebook) and websites as our Yin and Yang and the many ways they
differ yet compliment each other. There are many businesses still out there that are either/or when it comes to their on-line presence on the internet. Some businesses purely operate through a Facebook platform and don’t see the need for a website. On the other side of the fence there are those businesses who are sticking to their traditional ways and believe that a Facebook page or social media in general is not necessary.

Sorry to say folks, this is not how you grow a business – you do need both. Why? Well because a website and a social media are two completely different methods of marketing your brand, both of which are necessary. So lets delve into a little pitch for each of the platforms so you can get an understanding why it is essential to have the Yin and the Yang for your business.

I only have a Facebook page for my business. Why do I need a website?

Facebook is fantastic for interaction with your customers and a great way in getting your brand out there to the masses. However the most important thing you need to remember, is that you don’t own Facebook or your Facebook page. You can control the content but you can’t control that one day it may simply not be there. Facebook is also getting more tricky in how you can get your content seen. Instagram and Twitter are also fantastic, but again, you are limited to the content and the extent of the content you can offer your customers. This is ‘social’ media, not ‘selling.’ Aside from the ownership factor there are several other points to take into consideration why a website is necessary for your business to succeed.

It shows a committed presence on the internet – you come across as a more serious business.
You own your website.
A website is how people perceive your brand.
Google favours websites in search results due to their content.
Your website offers new and existing customers a catalogue of information about your business (portfolio, about us, contact details, list of services, etc).
People can purchase directly from your website.
You can include your Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter icons onto your website.
Websites are key to the SEO for your business.

I only have a website for my business. Why do I need social media?

There are 1.23 billion Facebook users rolling their eyes at you right now. A website is the headquarters for your business. This is the first impression of your business, what it stands for, what it does and who it does it for. It has all of the essential tools for a business with your contact information, ecommerce, the history of your business, a list of clients, locations, etc. However, aside from your blog page, it can be quite limited in how people can interact with your brand and in this day and age, it’s ALL about interaction. This is where social media, in particular, Facebook, comes in to play. Social media is the Yang and works with your website Yin to increase traffic to your website. This is why you should have a social media page for your business.

As of February 2014, the reported number of Facebook users in Australia alone was 12 million. 9 million of those check Facebook daily. That’s a big market you’re missing out on.
A company Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest page encourages interaction such as commenting, sharing and liking by your clientèle and followers.
A Facebook page is an easy way to reach your market and encourage brand loyalty with interaction.
Social media is a useful resource to promote campaigns and once-off special offers.
Engaging your business in social media shows that your business is moving with the times and keeping up with technology.
Social media can have links added to posts thus increasing traffic to your website.
Social media accounts are a fantastic tool to promote call-to-actions.
More people are viewing the internet on mobile devices such as phones where they have direct access to their social media accounts.
Social media accounts add a personality to your business.
Setting up a social media account for your business is free.

The elements that social media and websites have and common and why they work so well together are:

They are building your brand.
They are getting people talking about your business.
They are establishing a history and presence of your business on the internet.

Another thing that our Yin and Yang have in common is, websites and social media are more successful the more often they are used and updated. They both require maintenance and upkeep in order to keep your business at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

If you would like any advice on setting up and maintaining either a social media page or a website, give us a call today and we’ll make sure your business achieves the perfect Yin Yang balance!