The Social Media Trap
For many small business owners in New Zealand, Facebook or Instagram feels like “enough.” It’s free, it’s fast, and you can reach people instantly. Maybe you’ve built a loyal following, post regularly, and even make a few sales through DMs or Marketplace.
But here’s the catch: social media is not a substitute for a professional website. In fact, relying only on social platforms could actually be holding your business back — costing you sales, credibility, and long-term growth.
If you want to build a sustainable business in 2025, you need both: a website you own, and social media to support it. Let’s break down why.
- You Don’t Own Social Media
Your Facebook or Instagram account is like renting space in a shopping mall. The landlord (Meta) controls the rules, sets the rent (ad costs), and can shut you down at any time.
- Algorithms change overnight, slashing your reach.
- Accounts can be restricted or hacked with little warning.
- Your followers? They’re not really yours — they belong to the platform.
With a website, it’s different. Your website is digital real estate you own. Nobody can take it away from you. Even if social media disappeared tomorrow, your customers could still find you online.
- A Website Builds Instant Trust
First impressions matter. When someone Googles your business and finds only a Facebook page, doubts start creeping in:
- “Is this business legit?”
- “Are they still active?”
- “Why don’t they have a website?”
A professional website answers all of those questions instantly. It shows you’re established, trustworthy, and serious about your business. Even a simple one-page site with your services, location, and contact details can make a huge difference.
Research shows that over 80% of people research a business online before buying. If you’re not showing up with a credible website, you’re missing opportunities.
- Social Media is Short-Term, Websites are Long-Term
Social media is built for the moment. Posts fly past in crowded feeds, lasting a few hours before they’re buried. Unless you’re constantly posting, your business is invisible.
A website works differently. It’s built for the long game:
- It shows up in Google searches, bringing in new customers who are actively looking for your services.
- It holds valuable content — FAQs, service pages, testimonials — that answers questions 24/7.
- It becomes a permanent base customers can return to.
Think of social media as your shop window and your website as your actual store. One attracts attention; the other closes sales.
- Social Media Doesn’t Replace Google
Here’s something many business owners overlook: most customers don’t search for services on Facebook. They search on Google.
If you only have a social media page, you’re invisible to those searches. Your competitors with websites will appear instead, and customers will go straight to them.
That means every day you delay getting a website, you’re handing potential customers to someone else.
- A Website + Social Media = The Perfect Team
This isn’t about choosing one over the other. Social media and websites each play a unique role — and when you combine them, that’s where the magic happens:
- Social Media: Great for building community, sharing updates, showing personality, and reaching people where they already spend their time.
- Website: The professional, permanent home where customers can get all the details, book services, or buy products.
The best strategy is to use social media to drive people to your website — where they can take action that actually grows your business.
- “But Websites Are Expensive…”
One of the biggest reasons small business owners avoid websites is cost. But here’s the truth:
- A simple, professional website doesn’t have to cost the earth.
- The right website will pay for itself in new customers.
- Compared to ongoing ad spend or boosted posts, a website is a one-time investment with lasting value.
At onLine you, we specialise in affordable websites for small NZ businesses. We focus on clean design, easy navigation, and Google-friendly builds — so your site doesn’t just look good, it works.
- Your Competitors Already Have One
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. They’re deciding between two businesses:
- One has only a Facebook page.
- The other has a polished website and active social media.
Who looks more professional? Who do you trust more? Who gets the sale?
Chances are, it’s not the business without a website.
Conclusion: Don’t Choose — Combine
In 2025, having only a social media page is like running a shop without a sign. You might get walk-ins, but you’re invisible to most of the people who are looking for you.
Social media is valuable. But a website is essential. Together, they give your business the credibility, visibility, and staying power to grow.
Are you ready to move beyond social media and give your business the website it deserves? At onLine you, we create affordable, professional websites that work hand-in-hand with your socials. Let’s build your business the online home it needs.