With all the social media platforms, do businesses still need websites?

Frebruary 2011 - 

Although more and more companies are starting to incorporate social media into their marketing strategy, websites are still a must for any business. Unlike social media, websites can still provide the best information about a company's products, services, mission statement, etc.

Then there is search engine optimization. While social media networks, like Facebook and Twitter, facilitate great communication between advertisers and buyers, websites are still the premier source for "findability or visibility" on search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing.

Let's analyze the example of a restaurant on search engines. If a consumer conducts a search for (restaurants San Francisco, CA), they may find a restaurant's website, but they may not find a restaurant's social media page.

Websites vs. Social Media

Without a website, a restaurant can only solicit fans or followers with discounts, events, or specials. But what if buyers want more information about the restaurant? Where will buyers find information about catering services, banquet space, or menu items? Yes, there have been some eateries that try to get creative and scan and post their menus on Facebook walls...not enough.

Websites, provide a complete spectrum of information that no social media network can provide. It can provide consumers with a virtual tour of the actual business, company history, mission statement, you name it.
At the end of the day, your business needs both social media and web development.