Guide

Do I need a website if I'm already on Facebook?

Short answer: Facebook is great for keeping regulars up to date, but a website is what helps new customers find you and decide to come in. Most local businesses do best with both.

What Facebook does well

• It's free and quick. You can post an offer or a change of hours in seconds.
• Your regulars are already there. It's an easy way to stay in touch with people who know you.
• Messages. Customers can ask a quick question without phoning.

Where it falls short

• Not everyone uses it. Plenty of people don't have an account, and some won't log in just to see your opening hours.
• Posts get buried. Your prices or menu from last month are hard to find under newer posts.
• You don't control it. Facebook decides who sees your posts, and its rules and layout change without asking you.
• It's not where most searches start. When people look for "barbers near me" or "fish and chips Withernsea", they usually search on Google, and Google tends to show websites and its own map listings.

What a website adds

• The essentials in one place: opening hours, prices, menu, location and how to book, always up to date and one tap away.
• A better chance on Google: a simple, fast site helps you appear when people search for what you do nearby.
• Bookings and orders: customers can book a slot or order without a phone call.
• Looking established: a proper site with your own web address makes a small business look trustworthy.