When planning to build a business. Perhaps you are thinking about using social media platforms. Especially for its marketing activities. But, is using social media alone enough?. Here the explain about website vs social media for your business.
The number of consumers who shop online is also increasing. Therefore, according to statista.com, the number of digital consumers in America is predicted to reach 266 million people.. Can your business reach such a huge opportunity with just the help of social media?
If you feel unsure about the potential of social media, there are also other platforms that you can use when building a home business, namely a website.
On the one hand, a website can indeed make your business look more professional. However, on the other hand, maybe you are also not sure to use the website.
Because you don’t know the advantages and disadvantages of a website in building a business.
So, which is the best platform for starting a business? What is social media? Or websites?.
Don’t worry, here you will find the answer. Foxietech will review one by one the advantages and disadvantages of each platform.
Curious which platform will be the winner? Let’s see more!.
Building a Business at Scratch with Social Media
In the past, social media was generally only used as a medium for socializing. However, now the function of social media has expanded more widely. One of them is for business.
Not surprisingly, many business accounts are milling about on Instagram or Facebook feeds. Starting from home businesses, to big businesses that advertise their products.
So, what makes social media so attractive to business people? Here’s why:
1. Easy to Use
It doesn’t take long to learn how to use social media platforms. Everything from setting up an account to posting content can be done in a few clicks!.
2. It’s Free
You just have to register and your account is ready to go. Everything is free, unless you want to advertise.
3. Direct Feedback from Prospective Consumers
Interacting with potential customers on social media is very easy. You can view and answer their comments in the comments column or in direct messages.
4. Broad Market Reach
By utilizing the hashtag feature, your content can reach more potential consumers.
It’s free, easy to use, not difficult to manage.
For people who are just starting a business, social media certainly looks ideal. No wonder many MSMEs use social media to increase sales during the pandemic.
5. Easy management
You don’t have to pay for platform maintenance. Just update the app to get system updates.
Disadvantages of Social Media To Grow Your Business
The question is, is social media really the perfect platform to start a business?. Not really. Because, this platform has some weaknesses that you need to know. Here are some of them:
1. Inflexible Platform Functions
This platform can only be used by you to attract potential customers via content. There is no other option like building an email list.
2. Restricted Controls
Anyone is free to comment on your posts. So you can not control the comments that appear in your account.
3. Limited Platform Design
You cannot change the appearance of your account at will. The only solution is to adapt your content design to the character of your business.
Building a Business with a Website
The reason why many people still prefer social media over a website to start an online business is that they think building a website sounds very complicated.
In fact, the benefits of using a website are not trivial. Understanding the website itself is a collection of web pages that can be accessed via the Internet.
Usually, the content on a web is content which shows all the information that is made individually or in groups.
Website Advantages
In business, a website is important to have to provide information about the company and the products we offer. That way, visitors’ trust in our business will increase.
1. Support Marketing
With a website, you can promote in many places just using the website. You can start by creating a product catalog, or embedding products on the main homepage.
2. Help Branding
For those of you who want the brand of your business to be famous by many people, with a website it can be realized.
Because on the website there is a special page that you can share about company information and introduce the values of a business. You can also go through the articles that are posted. That way the business branding will run.
3. Appear in Search Engines
Basically, managing a business with a website is also playing with keywords. If we embed some keywords that have high volume, and quality content on the website, this will make our website appear on the first page.
This is certainly very profitable, because the chances are great for our business website to get visits by many people.
4. Unlimited Views
Unlike social media, on the website we can adjust the appearance of the page according to our wishes and according to the existing business style.
Disadvantages of Websites for Selling Online
1. Need Time
As many lay people say, creating and building a website is quite complicated. There are several parts that need to be studied more deeply in order to understand how to operate it. And to understand the ins and outs does not take a while.
In contrast to social media, where you learn about it a day, you can immediately understand and execute it. The sections on the website have their own characteristics and are not the same.
2. Need Professional
If it is difficult to understand the website, you can recruit people who understand and are website experts to manage your business website. And of course it costs more to pay for them.
3. Paid
Actually, there are websites that offer free plans. However, of course the features you get are also limited. Not as much with paid packages. If you choose a paid package, it won’t be in vain either.
Because having a website is also a long-term investment if you subscribe for a long time. Why pay?. Because in making a website we have to buy a domain and hosting so that the website runs optimally.
So, which one is superior?. Website vs Social Media
Social media vs website have their respective advantages and disadvantages. So, when there is a question which one is superior to building a business, of course the answer is both. Because, by utilizing the two platforms, they will complement each other.
What is not on social media, the website will complete it and vice versa. However, if you really want to use one, there’s no problem. Choose the best and according to your business needs.
