Look just about anywhere on the Web today, and you'll see the Facebook logo. Share this on Facebook. Follow us on Facebook. Seventy of your Facebook friends like (fill in the blank).
If you're not clued into the social media world, all this Facebook promotion can be a little overwhelming, or even annoying. Perhaps the only thing more annoying is the myriad of social media "experts" and consultants telling you that you MUST have a business presence on Facebook. After all, that's where your customers are, right?
It's hard to argue with the numbers. Facebook now claims 500 million users, 50 percent of whom log in to the website on any given day. According to Facebook, an average of 10,000 new websites integrate with Facebook every day.
In March, the Network Solutions State of Small Business study reported that nearly one out of 10 small businesses plans to eliminate or spend less on their traditional website due to social media. Shortly after the study was released, one analyst predicted that, over the next five years, Facebook would become the primary website for roughly half of all small businesses that are online.
I love Facebook. It is THE place to be on the web today. But I also remember MySpace. I remember AOL. And I remember when AltaVista was the best search engine and nobody had ever heard of Google.
My point is, yes, you should have a presence on Facebook, and probably Twitter and LinkedIn, too. Social media sites are great ways to promote your business. But don't confuse the means of promotion with the destination.
Keep in mind:
• You don't own your Facebook page. All pages are associated with a personal Facebook profile. And if you had a friend, employee or social media expert create your Facebook page, that person, not you, is the ultimate, irrevocable owner of your business page. If their profile is banned from Facebook, so is your page.
• "Everyone" is not on Facebook. Yes, 500 million users are on Facebook, but only 30 percent of those are in the United States. That leaves your Facebook page out of reach of the majority of Americans.
• Your website is a real, permanent asset that you own and control. Facebook and other web wonders come and go, but your business domain is a real, timeless asset.
One final thought. That last time you went online to rent a car, purchase a book or hire a carpet cleaner, were you hoping to find the company's Facebook page? I doubt it. Facebook may provide the coupon, but your business website registers the sale.
If you're not clued into the social media world, all this Facebook promotion can be a little overwhelming, or even annoying. Perhaps the only thing more annoying is the myriad of social media "experts" and consultants telling you that you MUST have a business presence on Facebook. After all, that's where your customers are, right?
It's hard to argue with the numbers. Facebook now claims 500 million users, 50 percent of whom log in to the website on any given day. According to Facebook, an average of 10,000 new websites integrate with Facebook every day.
In March, the Network Solutions State of Small Business study reported that nearly one out of 10 small businesses plans to eliminate or spend less on their traditional website due to social media. Shortly after the study was released, one analyst predicted that, over the next five years, Facebook would become the primary website for roughly half of all small businesses that are online.
I love Facebook. It is THE place to be on the web today. But I also remember MySpace. I remember AOL. And I remember when AltaVista was the best search engine and nobody had ever heard of Google.
My point is, yes, you should have a presence on Facebook, and probably Twitter and LinkedIn, too. Social media sites are great ways to promote your business. But don't confuse the means of promotion with the destination.
Keep in mind:
• You don't own your Facebook page. All pages are associated with a personal Facebook profile. And if you had a friend, employee or social media expert create your Facebook page, that person, not you, is the ultimate, irrevocable owner of your business page. If their profile is banned from Facebook, so is your page.
• "Everyone" is not on Facebook. Yes, 500 million users are on Facebook, but only 30 percent of those are in the United States. That leaves your Facebook page out of reach of the majority of Americans.
• Your website is a real, permanent asset that you own and control. Facebook and other web wonders come and go, but your business domain is a real, timeless asset.
One final thought. That last time you went online to rent a car, purchase a book or hire a carpet cleaner, were you hoping to find the company's Facebook page? I doubt it. Facebook may provide the coupon, but your business website registers the sale.