The Risks of Relying on Social Media for Your Business

We’ve all seen it. A business sets up shop on Facebook, creates a business page, posts a few updates, and calls it a day. No website, no branded domain—just a Facebook page acting as the business's entire online presence. If this is your strategy, let’s talk, because this approach is not setting your business up for long-term success.

Facebook is an amazing tool for engagement, but it’s not your tool. It’s Meta’s. They control the rules, the reach, and whether or not you even appear in front of your audience. If your business is built on rented land, what happens when the landlord changes the locks? 

Facebook is Losing Members & Trust—Do You Want to Rely on That?

There was a time when Facebook was the undisputed king of social media, but times are changing. A growing number of users are leaving Facebook due to privacy concerns, shifting social media habits, and Meta’s questionable business practices.

• Facebook’s Active Users Are Declining: Meta’s own data shows that younger audiences are moving to TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If your audience is shifting, so should your strategy.

• Decreasing Organic Reach: If you’re relying on Facebook’s free exposure, prepare for disappointment. Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes paid ads, meaning fewer people see your business page unless you pay to play.

• Trust Issues: Facebook has been at the center of multiple privacy scandals, leaving users wary of how their data is used. More consumers are looking elsewhere for trusted business interactions.

Bottom line? Relying on Facebook as your primary business hub is a gamble—and one that’s increasingly stacked against small business owners.

 

You Don’t Own Your Facebook Page—Meta Does

If you don’t own it, you don’t control it. Think about what happens when:

• Your account gets hacked or suspended.

• Facebook changes its algorithm again, cutting your reach by 80%.

• Your business page is deleted due to a policy violation you didn’t even know existed.

With a website, you control the narrative, the customer journey, and how people experience your brand. Your domain, content, and SEO ranking belong to you—not a tech giant that could erase your presence overnight. 

Websites Convert Better Than Facebook Pages

Let’s talk leads, conversions, and actual revenue. Facebook is a great platform for engagement, but it’s not designed for selling or booking services.

• SEO = Free Traffic – Google doesn’t rank Facebook business pages the way it ranks professionally built websites. When people search for businesses in your industry, they’re finding your competitors' websites—not your Facebook page.

• Professionalism & Credibility – Consumers trust businesses with their own website. A business without a website can feel like a hobby, not a legitimate company.

• Better User Experience – A Facebook page is cluttered with ads, distractions, and limitations. A website gives your visitors a seamless journey from interest to purchase.

Want to turn visitors into clients? A website with clear messaging, SEO optimization, and conversion-focused design does that. Facebook? Not so much.

Meta Can—and Will—Charge You More Over Time

Businesses that rely on Facebook Ads to drive traffic already know this: the cost of advertising on Facebook keeps increasing.

• 2019 vs. 2024: The cost per thousand impressions (CPM) on Facebook ads has more than doubled in the last five years.

• Ad Spend vs. Organic Reach: Businesses that don’t pay for ads see their organic reach drop year after year.

If Facebook is your only marketing strategy, you’re at the mercy of rising ad costs and declining visibility. Why not invest in a long-term asset (a website) instead of a short-term rental (Facebook)?

Your Website = Your Digital HQ

At Find Your North Star, LLC, we help business owners establish a strong online presence that they actually own and control. A website is:

• A long-term investment that grows with your business
• Optimized for Google so clients can find you organically
• Customized to reflect your brand—not Facebook’s blue-and-white template
• Designed to convert visitors into leads and customers

Your website is your home. Facebook is just a guest room.

Final Thoughts: Own Your Online Presence

If you’re serious about business growth, credibility, and control, Facebook alone won’t cut it. It’s time to stop relying on a platform that changes its rules daily and start building a website that works for you 24/7.

Ready to build  or revise a website that attracts, converts, and grows with you? Let’s make it happen. 

May You Always Find Your North Star,

Beth