It is the question nobody wants to answer with 100% certainty. Will Facebook Fan pages replace websites at some point this year or next? Many people have asked me this and honestly it depends on many factors.
I like working on new Facebook Fan Pages, and the power with Facebook is amazing. So my answer is usually, yes, at some point I see more companies using Facebook Fan pages instead of websites. However, having a website will still be important and highly useful. I am sure others will disagree with me and I would love to hear what your thoughts are.
So in your opinion, will Facebook Fan Pages replace websites?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I think Fan Pages are an extension of the company and a way for them to move their presence between the home base of the website. As the conversation occurs away from the website the company needs less threatening venues to have this relationship.
But these pages do not obsolete the website. That is where the company gets to put its best foot forward and have a dialogue when the customer is ready to move forward with a relationship. It’s also where other goals are met like retention, support and reactivation. The Fan Page is just not capable today of meeting those goals.
The website and the Fan Page complement each other in my humble opinion.
Hey Mark – Thanks for your comments. I like when you said that the two will complement each other. I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s amazing how far Facebook Fan pages have come and I’m looking forward to where they continue to go.
Hey Doug,
As much as I use the Facebook Fan pages, I still struggle with some of the application integration and also believe they have a LONG way to go. I think that in this economy some smaller companies are choosing to use the Facebook Fan page instead of a web site as a means to save money – I think they will find down the road that it just wont work as a long term solution.
Facebook needs to change it’s model to accommodate business accounts in order for this to really take place, and I just don’t see it going in that direction. As Mark stated, the two are a nice compliment to each other and the FB page is a great way to drive your customers/fans to your site when new content has been posted, and to promote other custom content, but I don’t see it replacing a company web site as a viable long term solution.
@SocialPMChick