Can Social Media Replace Your Organization’s Website? Do you need a website, social media profiles, or both? There are pros and cons for using both social media and websites in any organization By / Pam Haskell Reprinted with permission from greenindustrypros.com. See the original story at greenindustrypros.com/business/technology/article/21084500/cansocial-media-replace-your-company-website
Being online is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity. There are many options when it comes to giving your organization an online presence, but what type of presence best suits your needs? And what type of medium will match the needs of your market? The endless options can usually be cut down to two choices—a website or social media profiles. The most common question asked is, “What can a website do that social media can’t?” Social media has overtaken many other forms of online marketing and communication online, causing many organization representatives to wonder if a website is even needed. Can an organization survive on social media alone? Social media comes in so many forms, and each profile only takes a couple of minutes to set up and get started. There are already millions of potential connections swarming Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms, presenting a sizeable and easily accessible opportunity for users. 12 » Partners in Progress » www.pinp.org
Social Media Advantages Cheaper: Social media pages are quick and easy to set up, and organizations can usually set up accounts free of charge. This means a person can get a basic online presence started quickly with little effort. No Commitment: There is little or no commitment to your social media profile, and if a person feels the profile is no longer doing the job they want it to, they can just delete it. Organizations can also just switch to another platform or have multiple social media profiles going at once—they are not stuck with one provider. Real-Time Market Interaction: Social media enables and encourages back and forth interaction between organizations and the individuals they are trying to attract. It makes organizations more approachable and human, which allows easy two-way communication and helps establish relationships. Potential consumers will learn more about an organization’s offering, values, and purpose as they read daily or weekly updates, keeping that same organization top of mind.
