Why Your Website Matters More Than Your Instagram Page
This morning on the way to work, I was driving behind a car with a company logo, phone number, and a massive Instagram icon slapped across the back window. It got me thinking—how many small businesses are still relying on Instagram or Facebook as their main online presence?
When you build your online identity around a platform like Instagram, you’re not actually in control. Meta owns it. They can suspend your account, limit your reach, or change the rules overnight—and there’s nothing you can do. According to Meta’s Terms of Service, they reserve the right to restrict or remove access at any time, with no guarantee of appeal. That means your followers, content, and business visibility could be taken away in a moment.
Facebook and Instagram aren’t what they used to be. These platforms are built to serve ads—not your business. The more time users spend on them, the more advertising revenue Meta generates. When you direct people to your Instagram, you’re really promoting their platform, not your own.
Organic reach has declined significantly. Business pages on Facebook now reach fewer than 5% of their followers, according to Hootsuite’s 2024 report. Instagram is just as crowded—so much so that most posts get engagement rates of under 1%, as shown in Rival IQ’s 2024 Social Media Industry Benchmark Report. Unless you’re investing heavily in paid promotion or running a razor-sharp content strategy, your posts are likely getting lost in the noise.
Your website, on the other hand, is your own space. You control the message, the visuals, the customer journey, and how people interact with your brand. There’s no algorithm deciding who sees what. You’re not subject to unexpected rule changes or account bans. A website is an asset that works for you, not the other way around.
A professional website also builds trust. It makes your business look credible and established—especially if you’re offering premium services or products. If you’re asking someone to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars with you, they’re going to expect more than a social media page. In fact, a 2023 study by BrightLocal found that 56% of consumers won’t even consider a business that doesn’t have a website. And Google’s data shows that local businesses with websites receive 2.7 times more traffic than those without one.
Social media can still be a valuable tool—especially when you’re starting out. It’s quick, it’s free, and it gives you a way to test your ideas and engage with your audience. But it should be used as a support channel, not the foundation. Think of it like a flyer or a digital billboard. Its job is to drive people to your real home online—your website.
Businesses that combine social media with a strong website strategy see significantly higher returns. According to HubSpot’s 2023 State of Marketing, websites continue to outperform social platforms in ROI, conversions, and long-term brand building.
If you’re still running your business from a Facebook page or a crowded Instagram feed, we’d love to help. At Studio Friday, we build websites that make small businesses look the part and function properly—so you can focus on what you do best.
Whether you need advice, a refresh, or a full rebuild, feel free to get in touch. We’re here when you’re ready.
