Let's face it: growing a Facebook page in 2024 is hard. So, should you even bother setting one up in the first place? In this blog post, I will present arguments both FOR and AGAINST managing a Facebook page in the current social media landscape and help you make the decision for your business.
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Let's start with the cons:
Organic reach is at an all-time low: reaching your audience organically has become increasingly difficult on Facebook. Paid advertising is often necessary to see significant results.
Time commitment: Maintaining an active and engaging Facebook page requires consistent effort which can be a burden for busy business owners. And then, coming back to #1, it can feel like a waste of time when you don't see much reach.
Platform dependence: Relying on any ONE platform is never a smart move - you never want to put all of your eggs in one basket when it comes to marketing.
Now to the pros of having a Facebook page in 2024:
It's still the dominant platform: Each month, almost 3 billion people use Facebook. You really can't tell me your target audience isn't on there!
54% of Facebook users say that it is their primary hub for researching brands and 66% of all Facebook users routinely explore local business pages on Facebook at least once a week.
Credibility booster: A well-maintained Facebook page signals professionalism and legitimacy. Potential customers are more likely to trust a business with an established online presence.
Facebook (and Instagram) ads: You will need a Facebook page to be able to run any ads. Yep, even if they only appear on Instagram. Set it up properly now, even if you only plan on running ads sometime in the future.
Cost-effective marketing: Compared to traditional advertising, Facebook ads can be remarkably budget-friendly, allowing you to stretch your marketing dollars further. Great for small businesses!
Unique tools & post types: Facebook offers tools like events, groups, and link posts that you won't find on other platforms, giving you diverse ways to engage your audience and promote your business.
So...do I need a Facebook page in 2024?
While it is obviously a personal decision & the answer will depend on your industry, target audience, overall marketing strategy etc, the general answer is: YES, you should have a Facebook page as a business in 2024.
Bonus tip (aka the bare minimum): set up cross-posting to distribute your Instagram posts to your Facebook page. This will send a signal to your audience that your business is open & legit.
Interested in working together in 2024? Send me an email at info@hannarauch.com - I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Talk soon,
Hanna