Do I need a website for my business if I already have Facebook? Yes, you still need a website even if you have a busy Facebook page. Facebook is a great place to talk with customers, but a website is the home base you own, the place Google and AI search tools rely on, and the spot where people go to decide whether to call you.
Plenty of Maine businesses started on Facebook and did fine for years. A bakery in Saco posts the day’s specials, a landscaper in Gorham shares before-and-after photos, and customers message them directly. So it is a fair question.
The short answer: Facebook is rented space. A website is property. Most businesses do best with both, working together.
Do I need a website for my business if Facebook already works?
If Facebook brings you steady customers today, keep using it. The question isn’t “Facebook or a website.” It is what happens to the customers who never see your Facebook posts at all.
Think about how people actually find a local business. They type “plumber near me” or “best pizza in Portland” into Google, or ask ChatGPT for a recommendation. They look at Google Maps. Many of those people don’t use Facebook, and many of them won’t log in to see your page.
A website catches those customers. Facebook mostly reaches people who already know you.
Facebook page vs website: what each one does well
| Need | Facebook page | Your own website |
|---|---|---|
| Who controls it | Meta sets the rules and can change them | You do |
| Showing up on Google searches | Limited | Built for it |
| Quick updates and photos | Very easy | Easy with the right setup |
| Conversations and community | Excellent | Limited (forms, chat) |
| Detailed service pages | Hard to organize | Easy |
| Online booking, ordering, payments | Limited options | Full control |
| Looks professional to new customers | Depends on the viewer | Yes, when done well |
| Reaching people without accounts | Often blocked by login prompts | Open to everyone |
5 reasons a website still matters when you have Facebook
1. You don’t own your Facebook page
Meta controls what your followers see, how your page looks and what features you get. Pages can be restricted or hacked, and the rules change without asking you. Your website, on your own domain, stays put. The SBA’s advice for building an online presence begins with registering a domain name, which you keep as long as you renew it.
2. Google search favors real websites
When someone in Augusta searches “roof repair near me,” Google shows a map pack and a list of websites. A strong website with clear service pages gives Google something to match. Google says local rankings depend on relevance, distance and prominence, and that links from other websites feed into prominence. A website is what earns those links.
3. AI search tools need something to read
More people now ask ChatGPT or see a Google AI Overview before they ever click. Google says pages need to be indexed and eligible to show with a snippet to appear as a supporting link in its AI features. Clear, crawlable pages on your own site make that possible. We cover this in depth in our article on AI SEO for small businesses.
4. Customers judge you by it
A new customer comparing three contractors will often check for a website before calling. A clean site with your services, service area, photos of real work and an easy phone number builds trust fast. A Facebook page alone can leave them wondering how established you are.
5. Your site can do things Facebook can’t
Online booking for a salon, an online menu and ordering for a restaurant, a quote request form for a builder, a gift card shop for an inn: your website can be set up exactly around how you make money.
When is Facebook alone enough?
To be fair, there are cases where a website can wait a bit:
- You are testing a brand-new side business and don’t know yet if it will last.
- Nearly all your customers come from word of mouth inside a small community.
- You are fully booked and not looking for new customers right now.
Even then, it is smart to register your domain name now so nobody else grabs it.
How Facebook and your website work together
The best setup uses each for what it does best:
- Facebook for conversation. Post updates, photos, specials and events. Answer messages.
- The website for decisions. Link your posts back to the page that matters, like the menu, a service page or a booking form.
- Google Business Profile for local search. Point it to your website so Maps searchers land somewhere useful.
- Email for repeat customers. Use a sign-up form on the website to build a list you own.
If you’re starting from scratch, our guide to planning a small business website step by step will help you figure out which pages you actually need.
What does a basic small business website need?
You don’t need dozens of pages. A small, focused site often works best:
- A homepage that says what you do, where, and how to reach you.
- A page for each main service or product line.
- An about page with real photos of you and your team.
- A contact page with a form, phone number, hours and map.
- Reviews or examples of your work.
Make sure it works well on phones, since that is where many customers will look you up, often while they are out and about.
How much does a website cost compared to “free” Facebook?
Facebook is free to set up, but reaching people beyond your current followers usually means paying for ads. A website has an upfront cost plus hosting and upkeep, and it keeps working for you around the clock.
Costs vary a lot depending on what you need. Our Maine website cost guide breaks down typical ranges. Every Morellis project is quoted after a free consultation, so you’ll know the number before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Facebook page replace a website?
For a few very small or brand-new businesses, for a while, yes. For most businesses that want new customers from Google, it can’t. Facebook is better at talking with people who already know you than at being found by people who don’t.
Do I need a website for my business if I’m on Google Business Profile?
Your Google Business Profile is very important for local search, but it works best when it links to a real website. The website gives customers more detail and gives Google more information to match your business to searches.
What if my Facebook page gets hacked or shut down?
That is one of the strongest reasons to have a website. If your page is lost, your domain, website content and email list are still yours.
Is a one-page website enough?
It can be a solid start for a simple business. As you grow, separate pages for each service usually help you show up for more searches.
Should I keep posting on Facebook after I launch a website?
Yes. Keep Facebook for updates and conversation, and link posts back to your website when you want people to book, order or call.
Ready to give your business a home base?
If you’ve been wondering whether you need a website for your business, let’s talk it through. Book a free 30-minute consultation with Morellis and we’ll look at how your customers find you today and whether a website makes sense right now. We work with Maine businesses from York County to Aroostook, and you can see everything we offer on our services page.