Most businesses need a web presence. While social media is always important, businesses should not ignore setting up their own website and domain. This is because the sites themselves go in and out of fashion, change demographic appeal and can be tainted on the whim of new management or owner.
Social media sites change over time
It’s an extreme example, but Elon Musk’s $44 billion dollar purchase of Twitter has led to an exodus of advertisers and now high-profile users. This has weakened the offering of the renamed X / Twitter platform as an attractive virtual space to promote your business.
Musk has opened up the platform to sometime extreme, often previously banned users. Also content is more lightly moderated which may not be appropriate for your brand or business to appear alongside.
If you were previously relying on just this social media platform for your business then you’ll have to consider alternatives.
In recent times, the emergence of Chinese site TikTok has shaken up the scene. While Facebook and YouTube remain popular, their demographic appeal, has changed over time. For example.
| Rank | Name | Users | Revenue | Year Launched and Headquarters | |
| 1 | 3,07 billion | Not specified | 2004 | Menlo Park, CA | |
| 2 | YouTube | 2.5 billion | $29.24 billion | 2005 | San Bruno, California |
| 3 | 2 billion | Not specified | 2010 | Menlo Park, CA | |
| 4 | TikTok | 1.6 billion | Unknown | 2016 | Culver City, CA |
| 5 | Snapchat | 850 million | $4.6 billion | 2011 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 6 | X (Twitter) | 611 million | $4.4 billion | 2003 | Mountain View, CA |
| 7 | 522 million | $2.8 billion | 2005 | San Francisco, CA | |
| 8 | 500 million* | $400 million | 2010 | San Francisco, CA | |
| 9 | <350 million | $12. 4 billion | 2006 | San Francisco, CA | |
| 10 | Threads | 200 million* | Unknown | 2023 | Menlo Park, CA |
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/social-media-platforms/
The most used social media sites for different age groups is shown below. There are marked differences in what social media are used.
- 18-29 years – Snapchat (41%), TikTok (35%), Instagram (32%)
- 30-39 years – LinkedIn (34%), X/Twitter (34%), Snapchat (33%), Instagram (32%)
- 40-49 years – LinkedIn (25%), Facebook (22%), X/Twitter (21%)
- 50-59 years – Facebook (29%), LinkedIn (24%), Pinterest (24%)
Source: Statistia
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/
In a couple of years these demographic breakdowns and most popular social media site will be different.
Always have a domain and website
The upshot of all this is that your web presence should start with a domain name and website which then links to your social media sites.
The social media scene is too volatile to put all your trust in two or three social media sites where you at the mercy of the eccentric billionaire whose priority may not necessarily be purely business related.
Having your own domain and website gives you full control over your name, branding and email accounts. It also looks much more professional and essential if you expect to trade with another established business.
Get in touch with Dinesh on 07941 686113 or contact us if you need help on web design, web hosting, SEO services or domain names.
Image by Mudassar Iqbal from Pixabay
Image by skylarvision from Pixabay
