What social media is good at
- Showing what you're up to this week.
- Staying in touch with people who already know you.
- Reaching new people through shares and hashtags.
What a website does that social media can't
- It shows up when people search Google for what you do. Social posts rarely do.
- It's yours. Platforms change their rules, and accounts get suspended or hacked, sometimes for no clear reason. Your website and your domain stay put.
- It answers the questions in one place: prices, services, areas, hours, how to book. On Instagram, those get lost in a feed.
- It looks established. Many customers check for a website before they call, especially for bigger jobs.
- It works for people without social media accounts, which is more of your customers than you might think.
When you can get by without one
If your work comes entirely from word of mouth and repeat customers, and you have more work than you can handle, a website can wait. A Google Business Profile with photos and reviews might be enough for now.
If you want new customers who don't know you yet, you need somewhere to send them. A simple one-page website (mine start at A$399) covers the basics.
Using both together
Put your website link in your Instagram bio and on your Google profile. Post your work on social media, and keep your prices, services and booking on the website. Each one sends people to the other.