If Meta Goes Down, Does Your Business Go With It?

Why Your Business Still Needs a Website (and why your social media isn’t enough). 

When Facebook launched “Pages,” people may have predicted the end of websites by 2025, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. I get it, running a business Facebook or Instagram page feels easier than building a website, and of course, it’s free to set up.

Social platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn are where your audience already spends time, and platforms like Meta and LinkedIn offer built-in tools for messaging, updates, and even selling your products. But if your entire online presence relies solely on these platforms, you are putting your business at serious risk. 

Here is why every business, no matter the size, still needs a dedicated website: 

1.        You don’t own your social media profiles... Meta does. 

Your business could be thriving on Facebook or Instagram one day, and the next, your page is suspended, hacked, or deleted - without warning. Even if you have done nothing wrong, regaining access can be incredibly difficult. I literally spent hours on the phone trying to get hold of an actual human being to regain access to my Meta ads account, with no success.

I have spoken to many organisations and businesses that still haven’t got back access to their accounts after months or even years of trying. One business lost their entire client database after their Facebook page was hacked. All communication with clients had happened via Messenger. They had no website, no email list, and no way to reach their customers. Years of trust and connection, gone overnight. 

2.        Your reputation is at risk. 

Imagine this: You’re running a professional service, and suddenly your Instagram page is posting inappropriate memes or crypto scams because someone gained access. We have all seen this happen - when a page you follow suddenly starts posting rogue epoxy resin videos or a post about winning Ray-Bans. It’s not just inconvenient. It’s embarrassing, damaging, and potentially costly. 

This kind of hijacking has happened on LinkedIn, too, where your professional credibility is key. The platforms aren't built for rapid recovery or personal customer service. In most cases, you're just another ticket in a help queue, and at the end of the queue, you are greeted by an AI bot. 

Loosing access to your social media accounts can be very stressful!

3.     No backup communication = lost business.

If you rely on social platforms to message clients, take bookings, or handle enquiries, what is your Plan B? A website acts as your digital anchor. A place people can always find you, learn about you, and contact you directly. Whether it's via a simple contact form, email address, or phone number, your clients know where to go. 

4.        Algorithms change, and so does your reach. 

Just because people follow you doesn’t mean they will see your posts. Platforms constantly tweak what gets shown, and organic reach is on a downward trend. A website puts you back in control. You decide what gets featured and how your business is represented, rather than a third-party algorithm. 

But how do you get people to visit your website? 

Give people a reason to visit. 

Having a website is just the start; you want people actually to visit. That means offering something they can’t find on your social media. Share exclusive product or service information, valuable resources, or helpful blog posts (like this one!). You could even add a booking tool, downloadable resources, or client-only content that keeps people coming back. 

Create a community you control. 

Want to go one step further? Add a reviews section, FAQs, or even a customer discussion forum. Let people ask questions, leave comments, or share their experiences. When your website becomes a hub for your audience, you build stronger relationships and long-term loyalty on your terms. 

Be searchable. 

When someone Googles your business, you want your website to show up rather than your Instagram or a dated directory listing. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) makes all the difference. A well-structured website increases your visibility in search results and puts you in control of how your business is found online. 

Quick SEO tips to get started: 

·       Use headings and simple language that your customers are likely to search for. 

·       Make sure your homepage clearly lists your name, location, and what you do. 

·       Add alt text to your images so search engines understand them. 

·       Ensure your site loads quickly and looks great on mobile. 

·       Update your website regularly -  even short blog posts or FAQs help. 

But aren’t people just using ChatGPT now? 

Yes, but even AI tools like ChatGPT use websites. 

Tools like ChatGPT rely on publicly available websites to gather and summarise information about businesses, services, and products. If someone asks ChatGPT about your business or a service/product you provide, a well-written and informative website makes it far more likely that your offerings will be correctly and helpfully represented. 

So if you're relying on social media alone, you're missing out on being part of that wider digital conversation. Your website helps both search engines and AI tools understand who you are and what you do, which only benefits you in the long run. 

So what’s the next step? 

Start by securing your domain name, ideally one that reflects your brand.

A .kiwi domain is a unique and memorable way to show you are a proud Kiwi business and it is likely that the awesome brand name you have is actually available as a .kiwi. Join brands such as the Warriors, Simplicity or The Collective who utilise the .kiwi domain for their website.

You can check out available .kiwi domains on www.hello.kiwi and get started easily buying the domain and even an easy website builder offered by many trusted registrars like GoDaddy, Free Parking, or Crazy Domains. 

Having a website doesn’t mean ditching social media, it just means building on a more secure, future-proof foundation. Because your business needs more than just a Facebook page. It needs a place you own and control.