Do I need a website for my business if I have Facebook?

Both are free. Between them, customers can see your opening hours, phone number, photos, reviews and where you are.

Your Google Business Profile matters most for local searches like "barber near me", because that's what shows on the map. Google says creating a Business Profile and listing your business on Google is free (Google), and you can add your website link to it when you have one (Google).

A Facebook page and Google profile may be all you need for now if:

• Most new customers come from word of mouth and already know your name.
• You're fully booked, or close to it.
• Customers book by message and that works for you both.
• Your services and prices fit on your Google profile without confusion.

You'll probably want one if any of these sound familiar:

• The same questions every day. "How much is it?", "Do you cover my area?", "Do you do evenings?". A website answers them once, for everyone.
• People can't book without messaging you. A website gives your booking link a proper home.
• You want to appear for more searches. Your Google profile shows for your name and your main category. A website with a clear page for each service and area gives Google more to match against, such as "boiler service in Truro" or "nervous dog grooming".
• Customers don't use Facebook. Plenty of people don't have an account, or don't want to log in to see your prices.
• You'd be stuck without it. If your Facebook page or account is restricted, hacked or deleted, a website and your own domain are still yours. Meta's terms say it may suspend or permanently disable access to its products (Meta terms).

For website prices, see our guide to what a website costs in the UK.

If you do have a website, a few things are required.

Limited companies must show on their website the company's registered number, its registered office address, where it's registered (for example England and Wales), and the fact that it's a limited company, usually through its full name including "Limited" or "Ltd" (GOV.UK).

Sole traders must put their own name and any business name on official paperwork such as invoices and letters (GOV.UK). GOV.UK doesn't list website rules for sole traders, but showing your name and contact details is good practice anyway.

Customer data. If your website collects names, emails or booking details, you need to tell people how you use them, usually in a privacy notice. The ICO says any small business that keeps information such as names and email addresses needs one, and it has a free privacy notice generator for small businesses (ICO).

Cookies. You usually need visitors' consent before using cookies that aren't strictly necessary, such as advertising cookies. The rules changed on 5 February 2026 and there are now some exceptions, including one for certain analytics, so check the ICO's current guidance or ask whoever runs your site.

Whichever you choose, keep your Google Business Profile complete and current: hours, services, photos and a link to wherever customers book. It's free, and it's what most local customers see first.

We start by looking at what already works. If a website would help, we design and set it up for you, and we can look after one you already have.

• Website design for small businesses
• Website maintenance