Can Facebook replace your company website?
Some businesses are turning to the world’s largest social media community rather than to proprietary websites as their online hubs. Consultants say that’s a bad move
What can’t you do on Facebook? In recent years, companies have gained the ability to post videos, open stores, run online games and contests, ask and answer questions, and make blog-style posts there. So who needs a website?
Not Laura Ivy of Drift Boutique Hawaii. “Our boutique in Hawaii relies solely on Facebook and has ditched our website,” she says. “Best decision ever made.”
However, social media and PR consultants say getting rid of a website in favor of Facebook is risky and potentially dangerous, while some marketing and PR experts say the all-Facebook approach only works in certain scenarios.
The pros
Why did Drift Boutique dump its website? It was costing the company thousands of dollars to keep it up, Ivy says. Facebook is free.
Amanda Goodhue of /excelamktg says one of her company’s clients, Ecotec is planning to make its Facebook page its online hub, largely because of cost considerations. “This is an inexpensive option and is perfect for small businesses that do not have the budget for the design, hosting and management of an entire site,” she says.
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