Do I need a website if I already have a Facebook page?

Many Sri Lankan businesses run entirely on a Facebook page, an Instagram account and WhatsApp. That works, and you should keep doing it. But a social page and a website do different jobs, and relying only on social media has some risks worth knowing.

What a website does that a social page cannot

• It shows up when people search Google. Someone typing "salon in Galle" is far more likely to find a website than a Facebook post.
• You own it. Social platforms change their rules and how many people see your posts, and accounts can be locked or hacked.
• It looks established. Many customers, and especially tourists and companies, check for a proper website before they trust a business.
• It answers questions in one place: prices, menu, opening hours, location and how to book, without scrolling through old posts.
• It works for people who do not use Facebook at all.

When a social page is enough, for now

If you are just testing an idea, sell mostly to people who already know you, or all your customers come through word of mouth, a well-kept social page and a WhatsApp number can carry you for a while.

When it is time for a website

• You want new customers who do not know you yet.
• People ask the same questions again and again on WhatsApp.
• You want to take bookings or orders without going back and forth in messages.
• You serve tourists or businesses who expect to find you on Google.

The best setup for most small businesses is both: a simple website that Google can find, linked to your social pages and your WhatsApp. A single-page website is often all you need to start.