I was out for a jog the other day and as it’s October, nearing election time, I encountered a number of signs for candidates running for local office. One of them had me curious because I didn’t know anything about the candidate, so when I got home, I went to Google and typed in the candidates name. Oddly, his website didn’t come up, but his website was listed on the yard sign. I just couldn’t remember the URL. I’m pretty good at Google, so it was odd that I couldn’t find it.
The next time I was out for a jog, I took a photo of the sign so when I got home I’d remember. I typed the URL into my browser, and was taken not to a website, but to a Facebook page for the candidate. Sigh. This is precisely why that candidate’s website didn’t come up when I literally Googled his name. Because he didn’t have a website.
Some people may think using Facebook is the way to go for your website, because it’s free! But I can give you a lot of reasons why this is a very bad idea, including the one above. With three weeks to election day, users trying to find info on this candidate won’t be able to find him by Googling, and that may save him money but cost him a lot of votes. Big mistake in my opinion. Google won’t index your domain name if it’s not associated with any content and simply redirects to another URL.
Reasons why using Facebook as your website is a bad idea.
- Limited Control and Ownership:
When you build your website on Facebook, you are essentially renting digital space from the platform. You don’t have full control over the design, functionality, or structure of your site. Facebook can change its policies and algorithms at any time, affecting your website’s visibility and functionality. They own the page, not you.
- Branding Limitations:
A website is a powerful tool for branding and establishing a unique online identity. Using Facebook for your website restricts your ability to create a distinct brand presence. Your site will look and feel like a typical Facebook page, making it challenging to stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
- Reduced Customization:
Your website is your digital storefront. It should be tailored to your specific needs and goals. Facebook websites lack the flexibility and customization options that self-hosted websites offer. This can limit your ability to provide a unique user experience and showcase your products or services effectively.
- Data and Privacy Concerns:
Data privacy and security have become major concerns in recent years. When you host your website on Facebook, you may have less control over user data and privacy than if you were using your own hosting service. This can lead to trust issues and legal complications.
- Limited SEO Capabilities:
Facebook websites are not known for their search engine optimization (SEO) capabilities. Self-hosted websites, on the other hand, offer a wide range of tools and plugins to help improve your search engine rankings and reach a larger audience. Facebook websites are generally less discoverable on search engines like Google.
- Advertisements and Distractions:
On Facebook, your website may be surrounded by advertisements and other distractions. These can divert users’ attention away from your content and reduce your site’s overall effectiveness.
- Limited viewing even by followers
Have you ever posted something on Facebook and then been disappointed in the response? That’s because the Facebook algorithm doesn’t show your posts to everyone. Facebook exists to make money, and they don’t make money by promoting your content for free. There will be a limited number of people who are actually going to see any single post you make, even if they follow you.
It also makes it much harder to find older content as well.
- Limited Features and Functionality:
Facebook websites are designed for basic purposes, and they lack the advanced features and functionality that self-hosted websites can offer. If you have specific requirements or need advanced tools for your website, Facebook may not be the right choice.
- Risk of Being Unavailable:
While it’s rare, Facebook outages do happen. Relying solely on Facebook for your website means that your site may become inaccessible during Facebook’s downtime, potentially impacting your business and credibility.
- Dependence on a Single Platform:
By using Facebook as your website, you become dependent on one platform for your online presence. This can be risky, as you have no control over the platform’s future or its policies, and a change in Facebook’s strategy could have a significant impact on your online presence.
It also eliminates any members of your targeted demographic who don’t use Facebook. And while Facebook is a hugely popular social media platform, but if your target audience is under 30, you are going to lose a lot of them by only having a Facebook page.
While Facebook can be a valuable tool for promoting your online presence, it is not a suitable replacement for a dedicated website. To ensure long-term success and control over your digital identity, it’s advisable to invest in a self-hosted website that offers more customization, control, and branding opportunities while reducing dependence on a single platform.
Amy Masson
Amy is the co-owner, developer, and website strategist for Sumy Designs. She's been making websites with WordPress since 2006 and is passionate about making sure websites are as functional as they are beautiful.