Do I really need a website? I am often drawn into this conversation when discussing the need for a website, particularly if you sell a specialised skill through word of mouth. In fact, it can be argued that social media is far more effective in spreading the word. It's gossip gone mad! What better way to actualise a potential customer base? By it's very nature, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and the like, have marketing at its core. Most people are already comfortable with these user-friendly platforms. It's only logical that Facebook would be the place to start when starting up a small/home business.

Well, think again. Remember that tiny box you checked? You know, the tiny letters spelling a link to the terms and conditions (t&c) when you first signed up? How many of you actually read the fine print? Here is a snippet from Facebook:

"For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (IP content), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacyand application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License). "

So let's get this straight- all the content posted is no  longer yours exclusively. Royaly-free. Sub licensable. Too bad if you had a 'light bulb' moment on Facebook, stupidly sharing it, 'cause it's no longer your idea! In time it could easily lead to many copyright issues with legalities spinning a tight web on the social platforms of the internet. How would this affect your business?

Secondly, ponder on the last time you tried to find something specific on Facebook. So much material is posted on Facebook that it disappears as quickly as it appears. Yes, it should stay on your timeline, and sometimes does, but for how long? Can you afford to be losing good blogs, campaigns and bright ideas? It just makes sense to open your own library, your own piece of cloud. Somewhere safe, secure and sure. Somewhere not reliant on someone else's terms and conditions.

And that would be your own website. The clever way to utilise the internet for your business is to set up your website as the springboard for your business. From the website, your blogs are shared to become the information posts or paid advertisements on Facebook, Linked In, Google Plus, Instagram, Email and Pinterest. It's easy on Wordpress websites, as you just share your page/post. Advertising on these programs is not cheap, and the day that payment for subscription will be required is nigh, mark my words! If your digital business is only on Facebook, for example, you will have little choice but to pay.

That your business needs a presence on the internet in this day and age is a given. An effective and efficient method of doing this is best achieved by a static website from which you blog and share, blog and share. It's free. You get to keep all the information in one place. You only share what you don't mind people gossiping about or what you don't mind Facebook having license to. A good place to start? If you are after an affordable website, check out this link.