This comes up constantly. You have a limited budget, limited time, and you need to get your business visible online. Do you pour energy into Instagram and LinkedIn, or do you get a proper website built first?
The short answer: website first. But the reasoning matters more than the answer, because the right approach depends on what stage your business is at.
What social media is good at
Social media is excellent for a few specific things:
- Building awareness — getting your name in front of people who have never heard of you
- Showing personality — letting people see the humans behind the business
- Quick engagement — responding to trends, joining conversations, staying visible
It is free to start, the barrier to entry is low, and you can see results quickly if you are consistent.
The problem with social media as your only presence
Here is what social media cannot do: give you control.
You do not own your Instagram following. The algorithm decides who sees your posts. Your reach can drop 40% overnight because the platform changed how it prioritises content. You are building on rented land.
When someone is ready to buy — not just browse — they want a website. They want to see your work properly, understand what you offer, and contact you without sending a DM.
Why a website comes first
Your website is the one place online that you fully control. It does not change because a platform updated its algorithm. It works 24 hours a day. It ranks on Google.
A good business website does three things:
- Establishes credibility — you look like a real business, not a side project
- Answers questions — services, pricing, process, location, contact details, all in one place
- Converts visitors — clear calls to action that turn interest into enquiries
Social media drives attention. Your website converts that attention into action. Without a website, you are generating interest with nowhere solid to send it.
The right order
Step 1: Get a proper website. A clear homepage, a services page, a few examples of your work, a contact form. That is enough to start.
Step 2: Set up one or two social channels. Pick the platforms where your customers actually spend time.
Step 3: Use social to drive traffic to your website. Every post should have a reason for someone to click through.
What about cost?
Social media is free to use, but it costs time. A website costs money upfront but works passively once it is live.
At Maad House, a full website with branding is a fixed GBP 3,500. That is a one-off investment that keeps working for years. Neither is optional in the long run. But if you can only do one thing right now, make it the website.