The question every small business asks
We hear it regularly: 'I already have 2,000 followers on Instagram, do I really need a website?' It's a fair question. Building a website costs money. Instagram is free.
But they do fundamentally different things — and confusing the two is costing businesses real money.
What social media actually does
Social media is for building awareness. It puts you in front of people while they're scrolling, not while they're looking for you. It's great for staying top-of-mind and building a following.
The problem: you don't own it. Instagram can change its algorithm tomorrow and your reach drops 70%. It has happened to thousands of businesses. Your follower list is Instagram's asset, not yours.
What a website does that Instagram can't
- Shows up on Google when someone searches for your service — Instagram doesn't do this
- Gives you full control over your story, your credibility, your pricing, your process
- Works for you 24/7 — someone in Jorhat at 11pm can learn about your business and contact you without you doing anything
- Builds trust — many customers Google a business before buying. No website raises a red flag
So what should you do first?
Build a website first. Even a simple, well-made 5-page website is enough. Then use social media to drive people to it.
Think of it this way: social media is the crowd, your website is the shop. You can have the biggest crowd outside but if there's no shop, nobody buys.
For most Assam businesses, the order is: website → Google Business Profile → social media. Not the other way around.