“I’ve Got Facebook — Do I Still Need a Website?” Yes. Here’s Why.

If you’re asking whether you need a website when you already have Facebook, you’re in good company. Plenty of small businesses in Warwickshire run their entire online presence from a Facebook page. But there’s a real cost to that — and most business owners don’t see it until they’re missing out on work.

Here’s what Facebook gives you, what it doesn’t, and why a website changes everything.

Facebook is borrowed ground — you don’t own any of it

When you build your business on Facebook, you’re building on someone else’s land.

Meta can change what your posts reach overnight. They’ve done it before. One algorithm update and your posts go from reaching 300 people to 30. Your account can be restricted or removed without warning. You have no control over how your page looks, what gets shown first, or how easy it is for someone to contact you.

A website is yours. You control the layout, the content, and how customers get in touch. No one can change the rules on you. If Facebook disappeared tomorrow, a website would still be there — still ranking, still bringing in enquiries.

For a small business, that kind of stability matters. Facebook is useful, but it’s a platform you borrow. A website is an asset you own.

When someone searches Google, they don’t find your Facebook page

This is the part that catches most people out.

When someone in Coventry or Warwickshire searches “plumber near me” or “dog groomer in Rugby,” they land on websites. Not Facebook pages.

Google prioritises websites in local search results. Your Google Business Profile helps with visibility, but it performs best when it links to a professional website with relevant content. Without that, you’re largely invisible to the people who are already searching for exactly what you do.

Facebook reaches people who are scrolling through their feed — often not in buying mode. A website catches people at the exact moment they’re ready to hire someone. That’s where the real enquiries come from. If you need a website when you have Facebook, the answer is yes — because Facebook and Google serve completely different purposes.

A website generates enquiries when you’re not working

Your Facebook page only reaches people when you post or put money behind it. It needs constant feeding.

A website works differently. Once it’s live and set up for your area, it keeps bringing in enquiries around the clock. Someone searching at 10pm on a Sunday can find your site, read about your service, see your pricing, and send an enquiry — all before you wake up.

For a sole trader or small business owner, that passive lead generation adds up fast. Most AP Digital clients start from £29.99 per month for a professional website — no large upfront fee, no technical headaches. Compare that to losing work every week because people can’t find you on Google.

The web design service is set up to get your site ranking for local searches from day one.