It’s tempting to catch yourself entertaining the why do I need a website question when you see the ease and simplicity of publishing on Facebook. The world’s largest social network gives you the ability to communicate directly with your friends, post limitless photos and videos, and even market your business affordably.

But not so fast. There are reasons you may want to avoid the Facebook-only approach. Good reasons, and in the following article, we’ll be discussing what they are.

1. Facebook Is Fickle

As you ask do I need a website, consider this. Facebook decided it was going to get into the news game in 2014 with its Trending Topics tool. It courted publishers of all stripes.

Many publishers built their business models on Facebook’s promises. Then, shortly after the 2016 US Presidential election, the company, facing greater scrutiny over “Fake News,” changed its model to favor less content from outside publishers.

Many saw their traffic drop drastically overnight. As a result, there were numerous outlets that had to completely change their business model or die trying.

The Facebook basket proved way too fickle to ever deserve all your eggs. Keep that in mind.

2. Support Causes That You Believe In

Another reason Facebook should be causing you to say, “Yes, I need a website,” is that it could feel limiting in some ways. This specifically is true with certain causes and values systems. Using your website as your primary form of expression will help limit that possibility and ultimately feel more freeing.

3. Your Data Is Really Their Data

Another of the many reasons you need a website is that Facebook owns all your data. At least, they do if that’s your only online platform. They can choose to shut you out of it at any point, and there won’t be anything you can do about it.

On your personal site, you own your data and always will. That means knowing what’s performing the best, who are responding to it, how they’re finding it, etc.

4. Marketing Options May Be Limited

Another of the top reasons you need a website even if you have Facebook is that you control the marketing approach. You can vary ads and ad platforms, test with ease and regularity. On Facebook, they control everything, and that can be severely limiting the audience you end up attracting.

5. Too Much Vitriol

Want to know another reason why you need a website even if you have Facebook? Try the lack of discourse. It’s just too easy to get sucked into an unwinnable feud or argument and all the negativity that comes with it.

On your site, you allow what you choose to and shut out the trolls. That gives you more time to focus on business and branding.

6. Control the Conversation

The last of our reasons you need a website is that you can control the conversation. There’s a great deal of creative freedom that comes with this. But there’s also a lot of business freedom and success to be found in choosing whom to exclude.

So the Answer to Why Do I Need a Website Is This

Stop asking the why do I need a website question. Start focusing on making your website the best it can be. Better than Facebook or any other social network that may arise.

Good luck! And if you need any help in getting your site off the ground, contact us today.