I do use chat, e-mail, the web and so on.
If you are wanting to buy stuff, or go somewhere, or book tickets or whatever, of course it’s a useful tool. Is this item in stock, how do I contact you, do you deliver and so on.
I was looking for something the other day and used a favourite non-Google search engine to find several local companies who seemed to have what I wanted. So, I followed the links to see more.
A couple were dead links. Not a great start, does not inspire confidence. Oh, the sponsored links had nothing relevant for me. Big surprise.
A couple of links were useful and helpful. One eventually got my business.
Two more links took me to FaceBook. These are established and professional companies using FB as their website.
Not having an account meant I could not see one and the other was restricted. FB kept telling me to log in or create an account. No thank you. So, they lost any chance of my business.
I think I expect any business to have a web presence. Using FB or any other social media as your only business website is not good. It’s cheap and lazy and the other advertising surrounding it is a distraction and puts me off.
Every reputable business should have a ‘proper’ e-mail address ie not GMail or the like, and a real website. It wouldn’t cost much or take time, and would give a professional appearance and customer confidence. It can have links to FB or whatever, of course.
A website doesn’t have to be complicated. A single page will do. Basic information, as appropriate. Contact details, what they do, opening times… You don’t need a shop or chat facilities or complicated features. It just needs to be accurate.
Opening times for shops is always helpful, especially at holiday times.