Is Facebook (or TikTok, YouTube & More) Replacing the Need for Company Websites in 2025?
Over a decade ago, my friend Roshan from SocialRank posed a fascinating question: “Will Facebook replace company websites?” That question sparked a huge thread full of marketers, developers, and entrepreneurs sharing hot takes. And now, in 2025, it’s time to revisit it—with a much bigger lens.
Are Websites Still Necessary in the Age of TikTok, Meta & YouTube?
Today’s platforms offer way more than just social sharing:
- Instagram & Facebook Shops let you sell directly inside apps.
- TikTok Shop turns short-form video into instant commerce.
- YouTube Channels function like full-blown content hubs.
- Link-in-bio tools mimic mini-sites. You can capture emails, sell products, and even run funnels—right on someone else’s platform.
So, do you still need a website? My short answer:
Yes… and here’s why:
1. Ownership Still Matters
You don’t own Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube. If they change the algorithm (again), suspend your account, or pull the plug on a feature you rely on—you’re out of luck. That’s digital landlord life. A website, on the other hand, is YOUR online real estate.
2. Control = Customization + Protection
Your site isn’t bound by a platform’s design rules, privacy settings, or sudden TOS updates. You control the messaging, design, tracking, and conversions. Want to test a new landing page? No problem. Need a GDPR-compliant flow? Done. Your website adapts to YOU—not the other way around.
3. Credibility & Searchability
A legit website signals trust, especially for service providers, coaches, consultants, or brands selling higher-ticket offers. Plus, unlike most social platforms, your website is fully indexable by Google and other search engines. Organic SEO still drives traffic that converts.
4. Your Funnel Starts (and Ends) There
Social platforms are great for discovery—but websites are where real conversions often happen. Booking a call, purchasing a high-ticket offer, downloading a lead magnet, or attending a webinar? Your website gives you better analytics, more automation, and fewer distractions.
So What Should the Strategy Be in 2025?
Here’s what I recommend—and what I do:
- Use social platforms for visibility, discovery, community, and virality.
- Use your website to convert, nurture, and scale.
- Use email + CRM to own your list and follow up long term.
That’s the trifecta: platform ➝ personal site ➝ pipeline.
Final Thoughts (and a Throwback!)
Back in the day, I said this:
“Facebook is like renting an apartment. You can throw great parties, but you don’t own the place. I want to own the house.”
That’s still true. But now, it’s not just Facebook. It’s Meta, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and the next big thing. They’re tools—not homes. Build your brand on a foundation you own.
Still not convinced? Ask yourself this: What would happen to your business if TikTok shut down tomorrow? Or if your Instagram account was hacked? Do you have an owned platform that can weather those storms?
Let’s keep using the platforms—just don’t let them own your entire business.
👇 Got thoughts? Drop a comment below. Or let’s chat over in the EasyWebinar FB group where we talk shop, strategy, and scaling up with soul.
Looking for a site that not only converts but also integrates your webinars, community, and content? Check out Kued.co — my new platform for creators, coaches, and course sellers who want to own their entire sales experience.
You say –
“Facebook is not search engine optimized. It has no follow links, therefore just like Vegas, ‘What happens on Facebook , stays on Facebook.’”-
I just “Googled” my page name and got 39,700 results with my Facebook page at No1 and my facebook videos at 2 & 3 more of my facebook entries were hidden.
Surely this indicates that facebook is indeed search engine optimised and a well written note or video description can get that item highly ranked on Google.
Hi Glynn, you are correct you will find your Facebook pages on Google when searching for them. What i should have probably been clear about is that in regards to SEO , Facebook and Twitter have “no Follow” links, which cause activity on Facebook to a less optimized for creating links and page ranking. Facebook is however absolutely wonderful for sending friends to your site, but as a link building tool Digg is a perfect way to go ( just as example) . Here is a link to a post that really sums up which marketing hubs are perfect for x,y, and z. http://mashable.com/2011/03/11/social-media-marketing-chart/
Hi Casey.
Found you on YouTube.
I was looking for blog articles on WordPress set up, operation and professional themes.
Frustratingly, the 5 minute video spent all its five minutes talking about GoDaddy. I wonder whether others of your potential audience may also have wanted to get to the potential influence blogs have on niche marketing.
To your question, as well as FaceBook, there is indeed a plethora of options for start up businesses or those trying to come to terms with technology. What a business owner wants is a clear steer about which direction to choose and why. Given they have a thriving business, or are trying to get one, outsourcing the “how the technology works” bit should follow, providing they have the confidence that their contact knows the technologies and can harness them accordingly.
Your link provides some great material for some deep thinking about marketing strategy, thanks for that.
So my current questions for a small business would be:
1) Why GoDaddy & DomainGator?
2) Why not FaceBook?
As suggested by other comments, most businesses out there are small businesses, not large corporates. FaceBook has the means to show business product and expertise, and would work well in a start up business. Yes, you would need to take your link and decide how to drive traffic there. And yes, as a large corporate you’d want more control, but static websites do have the “maintenance” downside, and are notoriously difficult to keep fresh.
So FaceBook has some considerable advantages even if we remove the closeness to customer that even large brands are now beginning to recognise and promote.
I’d say with will, determination, hard work and some marketing smarts, it’s possible today.
Warm Regards, Peter.
://twitter.com/@innov8tor3
Great question guys! I dont not think facebook will ever replace a website.
It is just a place to stay in touch with your customers and prospects and drive them back to your website.
I will not put the control of my business in the hands of a third party.
I rather have a self hosted website that I have full control over.
but that just my opinion Facebook is just another traffic generating technique
Joshua the ZamuraiBlogger
Thanks Josh, yeah that seems about right. I know people that invest 10k in fanpages and then hear stories from my friends who have successful fb campaigns of getting 1 million fans and making big bucks but then getting taken over by facebook due to facebook wanting that revenue stream.
Terrific article! That is the kind of info that are meant to be shared across the web.
Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this put
up higher! Come on over and talk over with my web site .
Thank you =)