“We’ve got an Instagram shop, why bother with a website?” We hear this all the time. And hey – we get it. You’re posting regularly, getting likes, answering DMs, and even selling your products or services through social media. Feels like enough, doesn’t it?

But while socials can help you build a short-term buzz, a website is still your business’ best mate in 2025. Here’s why… 

Social media is borrowed land 

Social platforms? They’re more like rented flats than forever homes. You might decorate your feed and put up a few shelves worth of followers, but ultimately, you're at the mercy of the landlord – AKA the platform owner. One outage, algorithmic change, or unexpected ban, and BAM! – your connection to customers could vanish overnight.

A website, on the other hand, is yours. A custom domain and proper hosting mean you own your online presence – it’s your patch of the internet, and no one can take it away.

First impressions count 

Let’s be honest: everyone looks a bit samey on Instagram. The bio is limited, your link space is tight, and there's only so much a grid of photos can say.

A branded website gives you total creative control. You get to show off your personality, products, and professionalism – all in one tidy package. Throw in a custom domain and branded email? You’re looking seriously legit. Just between us – 81% of shoppers do a bit of digging before they commit, and a polished site builds instant online credibility for your business.

Your website does the heavy lifting

Social is great for chatting, but when it comes to action – like taking bookings, processing online orders, or generating leads – it’s your website that brings home the bacon. Want to take payments? Capture emails? Offer downloadable freebies? You’ll need proper website functionality to make it happen, and comprehensive analytics so you can see what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus next.

SEO doesn’t stop at socials

Want to really get noticed? Then you’ll need to show Google some love. And that means having a proper, optimised website. Unlike Instagram posts that disappear down the feed, SEO-friendly blogs and landing pages stick around, working hard in the background to boost your visibility. So if you're wondering, “Do I need a website in 2025?” The answer is a big, SEO-optimised yes.

The dream team: website + socials

This isn’t a one-or-the-other situation. Your website and social media work best together. Your site is your hub – the place for bookings, sales, event info, or sign-ups. And your socials? They’re the hype machine sending people there; it’s the ideal digital marketing combo for your business. 

In 2025, social media is the funny one-liner you open a pitch with, and your website is where the deal gets done. Ready to build yours? Fasthosts has your back – with domains, hosting, and a Website Builder that makes getting online easy. Try it for free for your first three months.