Why You Need Your Own Website (Even if You’re on Instagram)
What would you do if Instagram, Etsy, or Amazon disappeared tomorrow? Would your business survive?
That’s a tough question, but one every creative small business owner needs to consider. Social platforms and third-party websites are powerful tools, but they are not permanent, and they are not truly yours.
Hi, I’m Vicky, the face behind The Friday Playbook. I help creative small business owners make simple marketing plays that get real results.
Today, I want to walk you through why having your own website is one of the smartest moves you can make, especially if you’re building your business on social media.
Social Media Isn’t Guaranteed
It’s easy to think, "I have a loyal following on Instagram - I’m good!" But the truth is, you’re building your business on borrowed land.
Social media accounts can:
Get hacked
Get banned
Lose visibility overnight thanks to algorithm changes
Glitch or shut down temporarily
I recently saw this happen to an Instagram account with nearly 100,000 followers. They didn’t have a website, just their social platform. Their account was hacked, they lost complete access, and never got it back. All that hard work and community? Gone.
It was devastating to watch.
This is also a good reminder to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on every platform you use. It’s not optional anymore, it’s a must. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection, making it much harder for hackers to steal your account.
But even with security in place, social media isn’t something you own. It’s a tool, not your foundation.
Why You Need Your Own Website
Your website is your home base. It’s the one part of your online presence that you truly control.
Here’s why it matters:
You own the traffic. When someone visits your website, you’re not competing with an endless scroll or sponsored ads.
You set the tone. Your website is a space to fully showcase your brand, your story, your products, without distractions.
You build long-term visibility. A good website can show up in Google searches, bringing in new people who may never find you on social.
You can grow an email list. Your website is the best place to collect email subscribers, so you can stay connected even if social platforms go quiet.
Think of your website like your brick-and-mortar store. Social media is the flyer you hand out to invite people in, but the website is where the real relationship happens.
Get my Simple Website Starter Checklist
It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
A lot of small business owners hesitate because they think building a website has to be expensive or time-consuming. It doesn’t.
You can start with a simple one-page website.
It’s more than enough to:
Share who you are
Show your products or services
Give people a way to contact you or buy from you
If you want something easy and beautiful right out of the box, Squarespace is great. If you’re focused on selling products, Shopify makes e-commerce simple. If you want maximum flexibility and scalability, WordPress is still a powerhouse.
The key is to just start. You can always grow and refine your site later.
Final Thoughts
Social media is an amazing tool, but it’s not the foundation.
Your website is the place where your business can grow, where you can build real connections, and where you control the experience.
If you’ve been waiting to build yours, consider this your sign:
Start today. Protect what you’re building. You’re worth it.
If you need help building your website, I’d love to help!
