Facebook and Your Website

If you only have a website, and not a proper facebook business page, you are missing a vital part of your marketing plan! Websites are perfect for company information, showcasing products, news and giving the "facts" about your company. However, websites have always had their weaknesses.

Websites rely on being "found." Since each site has a unique address (URL) a person must actually type it in...if they even know it. Those unfamiliar with your URL may have to search for it via a search engine, adding another layer of complexity. As well, a visit to a website is "secretive." In other words, none of your friends know that last night at 8:45, you went to Bic.com because you wanted to check out the latest pens. In the end, a website is a brand-driven, one way conversation from the company to the end user. It does very little to solidify customer loyalty or address the issue of social validity/trust.

In comes Facebook. Never before have we had such a Yin-Yang relationship for marketing your company online! Where a website fails, Facebook has it's greatest strengths. In tandem, they create a complete picture of who you are and what you do, but most importantly: exponentially spread this message from person to person.

How?

Jimmy likes Bic pens and clicks the "like" button on Facebook. Jimmy has 245 friends that get instantly notified in their feeds that Jimmy likes Bic pens. They click on his "like" to see why Jimmy likes Bic pens and end up on Bic's facebook page. They see the company as friendly, open and engaging with it's fans. Maybe they get a special exclusive Facebook coupon for $1 off pens for a back to school promotion. They click that they "like" Bic and each of them has 245 friends that were just notified. Exponential.

Cross linking the two also helps increase search engine rankings. It is important to put a Facebook badge on your website, and as well be sure your website's URL is prominently listed on your Facebook page. This gives validity to both sites which search engines love to rank at a higher position.

Don't ignore the possibilities! Facebook business pages are more intuitive than ever, allowing experts in HTML (such as us :-) to even create custom tabs, shopping carts and more to truly customize your businesses page.

Your potential clients are out there. They may not find you how they did 10 years ago by a Google search. Go where they are. Facebook users spend an average of 55 minutes a day on Facebook and have an average of 13o friends. Doesn't it make sense to join the conversation?

Feel free to call or email us to learn more about how we can link your traditional online presence with social media marketing.

Bill