Why Every Business Needs a Website (and Why Facebook, Etsy, or Squarespace Just Doesn’t Cut It)

Building your business primarily on Facebook or Etsy? You’re making a huge mistake.

Too many entrepreneurs depend on third-party platforms instead of owning their own website. Here’s why that’s a disaster waiting to happen—and what you should do instead.

Third-party platforms are the ones where you don’t have access to ALL the pieces – not just the front end, not just the admin editing area, but also the server files and the builder or file structure to be able to make all of the changes and updates that you may need. For example, WordPress is NOT a third-party platform, since you will own the hosting account, and you have access to the entire file structure since it is built upon an open-source platform.

5 Reasons You Need Your Own Website (Not a Third-Party Platform)

1. You Don’t Own the Platform

Facebook, Etsy, or Squarespace aren’t yours.

At any time, they can:

• Change the algorithm (killing your reach)
• Increase fees or limit visibility
• Suspend or ban your account

If your entire business depends on them, you’re one policy change away from losing everything.

2. Limited Customization & Branding

Your website = your brand.

Third-party platforms force you into their design, their structure, and their rules.

• Can’t fully optimize for SEO
• Can’t customize the user experience
• Stuck with their branding, not yours

You need a site that works for you, not a rented storefront with someone else’s rules.

3. You’re at the Mercy of Their Fees & Rules

Etsy, Amazon, and Facebook charge:

• Listing fees
• Transaction fees
• Ad fees to “boost” visibility

On your own website?
✔ No hidden fees
✔ Full control over pricing
✔ 100% of your profits

Would you rather build your own empire or rent space in someone else’s?

4. SEO & Long-Term Growth

A Facebook page won’t rank on Google. Neither will your Etsy shop.

Your website can:
✔ Show up in search results
✔ Drive organic (free!) traffic
✔ Build long-term credibility

Relying on social media? You’re invisible to 99% of potential customers searching for your products or services.

5. You Can Be Shut Down Without Warning

I’ve seen businesses lose everything overnight because a platform decided to:

• Ban their account
• Change their terms
• Shadowban their posts

When you own your website, no one can take it away from you.

There’s millions of reasons why (as in millions of dollars lost!) that I never recommend a third-party platform for something as critical as your website … clients who have come to me after losing their entire business in the blink of an eye and with no way to recover it! Sure, start wherever you need to start, but as soon as you are able, you need to get your business (and customers) off these third-party platforms and into something that you fully control.

How to Fix This (Fast):

1. Get a domain name (ie YourBusiness.com)
2. Use self-hosted WordPress (always our recommendation!) or a custom-built site (not Squarespace, Wix, or Etsy!)
3. Build your email list (so you control your audience)
4. Drive traffic through SEO, content marketing & social media

Take Control of Your Online Presence

I’ve spent over 20 years building websites—from multi-million-dollar eCommerce stores to helping countless entrepreneurs reclaim their businesses from third-party platforms.

I’ve seen too many business owners lose everything before realizing they needed their own website. Don’t let that be you.

Ready to own your online presence? Let’s talk.