Why Every Local Business Needs More Than Just a Facebook Page

Your Facebook page isn't enough. Discover why owning a professional website builds trust, improves Google rankings, and captures leads that social media simply can't.

"Why do I need a website? I have a Facebook page." We hear this all the time. And look, we get it — Facebook is easy, it's free, and your customers are there.

But here's the problem: relying solely on Facebook is like building your business on rented land. You don't control it. You're at the mercy of their algorithm. And you're missing out on customers who will never see your Facebook page.

You Don't Own Your Facebook Page

Let that sink in for a moment. That Facebook page with all your photos, reviews, and customer interactions? Facebook owns it — not you.

What happens if:

  • Facebook changes its algorithm and your posts reach 10% of your followers instead of 50%?
  • Your account gets hacked or flagged by mistake?
  • Facebook decides to charge businesses to reach their own followers? (They already do this.)
  • A competitor reports your page and it gets taken down while Facebook "reviews" it?

With your own website, you control everything. No one can take it away from you. No algorithm decides who sees your content.

Google Doesn't Care About Your Facebook Page

When someone in Grande Prairie searches Google for "plumber near me" or "web design Grande Prairie," what shows up?

Websites. Not Facebook pages.

Google's job is to show people the best, most relevant results. And in Google's eyes, a professional website with good content ranks higher than a Facebook page every single time.

If you don't have a website, you're invisible to the majority of people searching for your services online.

Trust and Professionalism

Picture this: you need a lawyer. You Google "business lawyer Grande Prairie." Two results come up:

  1. A professional website with information about their services, testimonials, credentials, and a contact form.
  2. A Facebook page.

Which one looks more professional? Which one makes you feel more confident?

Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. A professional website signals that you're established, serious, and trustworthy.

A Facebook-only presence signals... well, it signals you couldn't be bothered to invest in a real online presence.

Your Website Is a 24/7 Sales Employee

A great website doesn't just sit there looking pretty. It works for you:

  • Answers common questions automatically
  • Collects leads through contact forms
  • Showcases your best work and testimonials
  • Explains your services in detail
  • Makes it easy for customers to reach you or book appointments
  • Builds credibility with case studies and credentials

Facebook can't do most of this effectively. It's a social platform, not a business platform.

The Algorithm Problem

You post on Facebook. How many of your followers actually see it?

If you're lucky, maybe 5–10%. Facebook wants you to pay to reach more people — including people who already followed you.

With a website, everyone who visits sees everything you want them to see. No algorithm filtering your content. No pay-to-play. Just direct communication with your audience.

What About Other Social Media?

"Okay, but what about Instagram? TikTok? LinkedIn?"

Great question. Here's the thing: social media platforms are excellent for engagement and building awareness. They're terrible as your only online presence.

The winning strategy:

  • Your website is your home base — the place you own and control.
  • Social media is where you meet people and direct them back to your website.

Think of social media as networking at a conference. Your website is your office. You meet people at the conference, but you do business at the office.

Lead Capture and Follow-Up

Here's something most businesses don't realize: with a website, you can capture leads and build a list you own.

Someone visits your website and fills out a contact form or downloads a guide? That's a lead you can follow up with. You have their email. You can nurture that relationship.

On Facebook? You're hoping they remember to come back and check your page. You're hoping the algorithm shows them your next post. You're hoping they don't scroll past you.

"But Websites Are Expensive and Complicated"

They used to be. Not anymore.

Modern websites can be built quickly and affordably. And if you work with someone who understands automation, your website can practically run itself — updating content, capturing leads, and handling customer inquiries automatically.

The real question isn't "Can I afford a website?" It's "How much business am I losing without one?"

The Both/And Strategy

Here's the smart approach for 2025:

  • Have a professional website as your foundation
  • Use social media to drive traffic to your website
  • Capture leads on your website
  • Use email and automation to nurture those leads
  • Stay active on social media to maintain visibility

It's not either/or. It's both. But your website must be the foundation.

The Bottom Line

Facebook is a great tool for engagement. But it's not a replacement for owning your online presence.

If your entire business presence can disappear with one algorithm change or platform decision, you don't have a stable online presence — you have a liability.

Invest in what you own. Build on your own land. Use social media to drive people there.

That's how you build a digital presence that lasts.