Plenty of good businesses in Meath and Kildare run on a Facebook page alone. It's free, people already use it, and posting a photo of today's special takes a minute. So is a website worth it?
The honest answer: Facebook is a great place to talk to people who already follow you. A website is where new customers land when they search for you on Google.
What a Facebook page can't do
- It doesn't show up well when someone searches "café near me" or "plumber Maynooth". Google favours real websites and Google Business Profiles.
- Some people don't have Facebook, or won't log in to see your menu or prices.
- You don't own it. If the page is hacked, reported by mistake or locked, your menu, reviews and photos go with it.
- It's hard to find the basics. Opening hours, prices and how to book get buried under months of posts.
What a small website adds
- Your own address, like yourname.ie, that you can put on vans, menus and receipts.
- A menu, price list or service list that is always up to date and easy to read on a phone.
- A booking or quote form, so enquiries come to your email instead of getting lost in Messenger.
- Better visibility on Google, especially together with a Google Business Profile.
Keep both
You don't have to choose. The best setup for most small businesses is a simple website for the facts, and Facebook or Instagram for the day-to-day. Each post can point back to the website for the menu, the prices or the booking form.
Not sure where you stand?
We do a free website review for local businesses: we look at how you appear on Google and social media today and send you a short, plain-English report with what we'd change. No cost and no obligation. Ask for one on our Contact page.