5 Reasons Why Using Facebook as a Primary Website is a Bad Idea

After reading “The Diner’s Club: The Enduring Joy of Baltimore’s Old-School Eateries” in Baltimore Magazine, I did some Google searching to learn more about the restaurants. I noticed a pattern. Several diners used a Facebook page as their primary website. Here are five reasons why using Facebook as your primary website is a bad idea.

1: Limited Control and Ownership

 While you can customize your cover photo, add a logo, upload pictures and videos, and even choose which tabs you want on your page, you will only be partially in control. Facebook changes all the time. They constantly update their layouts, features, and, most importantly, search algorithms. You need to have your own website to be 100% in control of your online presence.

2: Terrible SEO Capabilities

Facebook profiles are not known for their search engine optimization (SEO) capabilities. On the other hand, self-hosted websites offer a wide range of tools and plugins to help improve your search engine rankings and reach a larger audience. Additionally, Facebook pages do not play well with Local SEO, limiting your ability to be discovered through Google Maps.

3: Restricted Viewership, Even by Followers

Facebook is a pay-to-play platform. That means the content you post has minimal chance of appearing organically on your followers’ News Feeds. While you may think you are saving money by using Facebook as a free website, you will need to set aside money in your marketing budget for paid ads or boosted posts to reach more customers.

4: Not Everyone is on Facebook

Over the last few years, Facebook has diminished popularity. Attention has shifted toward other platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok; users are checking their News Feeds less frequently or deactivating accounts altogether. Since Facebook requires you to log in to view content, you are missing out on customers not interested in content behind a login screen.

5: Devalues Your Brand Perception

Think of owning a website as your virtual storefront. It’s an opportunity to tell your brand story on your terms without the clutter, distracting advertising, and ugly blue Facebook branding. Taking the time, resources, and effort to put together an attractive, easy-to-use site with helpful information will tell visitors that they should take you as seriously as you take yourself and the experience you aim to give them.

Finally, if you need a new website, message me to schedule a brief consultation. I am happy to help set up a business website of your dreams with all the bells and whistles.