So…
What do you think about the fact that Facebook is losing members? Will this affect the way you run your online business?
So the latest rumor (or statistical fact) is that Facebook is losing members. I’ve heard all sorts of numbers regarding this, but over the last couple months over 7 millions users have deactivated their facebook accounts and the overall growth has slowed considerably. I know, a few million accounts here and there isn’t going to change the fact that Facebook is the dominant force in social networking.
However, it does make you realize something from a business standpoint…
As a business owner it really surprises me when I see other business owners that are completely depending on their Facebook page to represent their company. In other words, they do not have an actual company website, they just have a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Kinda scary if you ask me. Why? Because Facebook will go away, eventually. Not any time soon, mind you, but eventually it will. There will be something to take it’s place at the forefront, just like the thousands of sites before it. Same with Twitter.
I guess what I’m getting at is that as a business owner, or an online marketer, you have to have your own place on the internet. You have to have your OWN website. And of course you have to have your own email address. Put it this way… your website is like the roof over your head, and your email is like your phone number. Essential. Without your own website, you are homeless. Without an email address, you’re completely disconnected.
Point: If you do not have your own website, you need to set one up. Now.
Facebook, and other websites like it, are what I would call ‘non-essential’ services on the internet. They are fun, addictive, interesting, and interactive. But the existance of these websites is not essential to the operation of the internet. Your opinion may differ, this is my opinion talking.
The world wide web is built on two fundamental and essential things: the ability to host websites, and email service.
That’s all there is. Anything else is an added service. Facebook is an added service, as is MySpace, Twitter and all the rest. It’s important that you take the time to create your own home on the web. It’s important for both your short term, and long term success.
Of course I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do business through social networking sites. Absolutely use what’s out there to drive traffic. But don’t use them as your “home base”. USE them to drive traffic TO your home base, do not do it the other way around. There’s no value in sending your traffic to Facebook. You need to use Facebook as it is to connect with people.. to drive them FROM Facebook to your own site – that’s where the value is in social networking.
What do YOU think?
Upgrade to Director and get your website online today.
– Geoff Stephen
I already responded via Facebook. Just to repeat that I have found it to be a useful social medium because I am able to reconnect with 100s of my former university students (now alumni) and to catch up with what they’re doing.
However, from a business perspective, I don’t give a fig whether it continues or dries up and withers.
Hi Geoff,
I fully believe what you write, and to be honest, what else can possibly happen? Of course an added service like FB and others can not last forever in their current magnitude. I like FB, don’t get me wrong, but you just nail it perfect… The roof above your head is your own place on the Internet – Your Own Website.
Have a great day my friend and Thank God for NPN! 🙂
Ulf
I think facebook is great, both personally and for business building. Just get your own site. That’s all.
– Geoff.
I agree with you completly
Lbut a lot of people get addicted to these sites and start neglecting their businesses.
Some of the games are designed to keep you hooked like a dope addict.
Also I think that a lot of people are not surfing the TE’s becouse if this,
Have a great day
Gunnar
i
Hello Geoff,
I fully agree.
Even if it would be sure that Facebook would be there forever (which sure isn’t), it’sa essential for a business owner to have his own home – his own website.
It’s not hard to set up an own homepage and really everyone who uses the internet to work should use it and use other thinks like facebook or twitter in addition to the own “home”.
greetings from Germany
Stefanie
You are absolutely right about these services like myspace, FB and all the others out there.
They might be a force to reckon with right now but give em time and they will go by the wayside.
Then something newer and better will take their places which is what always happens.
Great post Geoff, keep them coming.
Tom
Hello Geoff,
You make some valid points. Everybody is so caught up in the promote your business on FB, they seem to forget there are other ways to get traffic.
But as you say, if you don’t have your own domain and website you missing a key component to marketing online.
These are some really great tips you share here.
Cheers,
Willie
I totally agree!!! That’s why I own http://FrankATrueblood.com along with http://WhoIsFrankATrueblood.com
As far as I’m concerned if you do not own your own website you do not even have an Internet Business.
After all isn’t that exactly what we are all doing on the Internet as affiliates?!
I agree that we should not depend only on Facebook for internet marketing. We should use multiple quality platforms. I am just giving my opinion. I am a newbie in this business.
Hi Geoff,
I think you’re on the money with FB and other social networking sites. I use them to drive traffic to my blog which I host with NPN.
To be honest having my blog as my home for my business is the best thing I’ve ever done. Not only am I building my NPN biz through my blog I’m also generating an income from the various affiliate links and recommendations I occasionally post. I could wish things were moving along faster, however, the exciting thing is my blog is gaining momentum with a steady increase in traffic every week.
My advice, definitely have a your own website/blog for you businesses home.
You have demonstrated what a viral tool Facebook can be with your Facebook comments plug in on your blog, Geoff….but I totally agree…that it should be used to funnel your “friends” to your own website…either a team site that collects your own independent list, your wholly owned website or a BLOG (showing total bias there! lol)
You just need to search out those Global NPN keywords on Google to see that the main players at the top of Google in NPN are bloggers and website owners.
Great post, Geoff….thank you
Pete
Hey Geoff,
you are making a valid point. Yes it is imperative to have your own website or blog with your own domain and own email. Thats the foundation. I get many people asking me questions about how to use FB and fanpages, how to use Twitter etc. When i ask them if they do have a website or blog, many say no…They clearly haven’t understood whats needed first!
Yeah, FB is kinda addictive and can often be time consuming 🙂
Cheers
Dennis
I agree Geoff. Social networks are better for funneling traffic to your own site.
I do have a few domain names but have yet to get around to actually building my own sites. I do use blogging services to make a name for myself. but I do need to make a priority of actually building up my own site.
Yes it is like renting a house. No matter how you keep the house, one day the owner will sell it and you will have nowhere to go.
It is better to own your house, leave it with your children when you leave this world.
This is how I look at owning your own website. Even when FB is closed or become a paying social platform, you are safe.
Thanks for the forward thinking!
That’s exactly what it’s like, Charles.
Hi Geoff,
You are right, thanks a million.