When you get the majority of your enquiries through Instagram and it can easy to wonder what a website would actually add to your business. Instagram is free and it’s easy to communicate with your audience but there are a few reasons why relying just on Instagram isn’t a very strategic route forwards and why having a website can still be so beneficial for your business, even if you still get most of your enquiries through Instagram.
You Don’t Own Instagram
I know that sounds like an obvious thing to say but anything can happen to Instagram at any point and you have very limited control over it.
It’s Meta who are completely in control of Instagram and that means they decide everything. The way the platform works can change at any point. The algorithm that determines who sees your content shifts regularly, and when it does, your reach can drop overnight through no fault of your own. You’re relying on your content being seen because it happens to fit with certain trends. You’re relying on your account staying active and being promoted in the way that it should be.
And then there’s the risk that people don’t always think about. There have been cases of accounts being removed with very little explanation — and it happens more than you’d think. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a clear reason why. And you’re not always guaranteed to get your account back.
That’s a significant risk when Instagram is the primary place your business lives.
Your website is different for may reasons but one is that you completely own it. You’re not having to work around an algorithm or keep up with trends just to stay visible and you have full control over how your business is presented and how people find you.
Google Can’t Find Your Instagram Feed
When someone searches for “aesthetics clinic near me” or “bridal makeup artist Surrey,” your Instagram posts won’t show up but a well-optimised website does.
Search traffic is some of the most valuable traffic a small business can get. This is because it comes from people who are actively looking for what you offer. They have a specific need and they’re ready to act on it. Without a website, you’re invisible to every single one of those searches and you are probably missing out on a lot of business.
For beauty and aesthetics businesses especially, local SEO is powerful. People search for treatments in their area so the right website mean you can be the result they find.
It’s Hard to Look Established Without One
When a potential client hears about you, whether through a recommendation, a social media or a passing mention, one of the first things they’ll do is look you up and if they can’t find your website it will create doubt. Not because your Instagram isn’t good, but because a professional business without a website can raise some red flags.
A website tells people that you are an established business. It shows them you’ve invested in your brand and that working with you will be a professional experience from start to finish. Your competitors who have websites are benefiting from that perception every single day. Plus, if you don’t have oe and your competitors do then it may push potential clients to choose them over you.
A website does things Instagram never can
It gives you somewhere professional to send people when you pitch for collaborations, apply for awards or get featured in press. Your Website also holds your legal documents — your Privacy Policy, your Cookie Policy and your booking terms — which are a legal requirement for most UK service businesses. It connects with your booking system, your email list and your CRM in a way that social media can’t. And it’s where you publish content that builds your authority and your search rankings over time.
So Do You Really Need a Website?
The honest answer is yes. If you want a business that can continue to grow and attract your dream clients, then I strongly recommend you have a website.
Instagram is a brilliant marketing tool but you should never rely on just one platform to market your business. A strong website and a strong Instagram presence together are far more powerful than either one alone. They both do different things so they compliment each other beautifully.
Ready For Your Own Website?
I work with wedding, aesthetics and wellness businesses to design websites that reflect the quality of what they do.
Whether you want something fast or something fully bespoke, I’d love to help you find the right fit.
