The other day I was asked whether Facebook Pages make traditional websites unnecessary. My answer was a resounding “yes and no”.
I say “yes” because Facebook Pages (formerly called “fan” pages) are cheap, easy to publish, and have some promotional features not easily replicated on a traditional website.
Having a Facebook Page also provides an ideal environment for generating interest in specific products and services, enhancing your brand, building a “fan” base, and interacting with others interested in your niche. After all, having a page on Facebook makes you part of the largest online community in the universe. You are effectively identifying with one of the most successful companies in the world.
I say “no” because some things are better done in traditional websites. For example, if you want to write a long-winded article (like this one), you’re better off putting it in a blog rather than on your FB Page Wall. Just add a link and FB will bring in a short excerpt and an image (if there is one in the original).
Or if you are a real estate agent and you’ve built a snazzy listing search application on your traditional website there is no need to replicate it on your FB Page. You can do a lot of things with FB Pages, but often programming issues and limited display space within Facebook can be problematic.
So the best approach is to use Facebook Pages for what they are good at, and use traditional websites and blogs for everything else.
