Newsflash: If You’re Not On Facebook, You’re Missing Out.
If we had a pound for every business owner who told us, “Facebook doesn’t work for us anymore,” or “It’s a dead platform,” we would be, well, sitting on a private beach right now!
It’s true, the perception of Facebook has shifted. People may joke that it’s just for scrolling past family drama, political rants, or the occasional misinformation outbreak. But for the backbone of the UK economy, LOCAL, service-based, and small businesses, Facebook is anything but a joke. It remains the most powerful and essential digital tool in your marketing kit.
The New Yellow Pages, Powered by Word-of-Mouth
Forget the old Yellow Pages; Facebook is the new digital directory, turbocharged by authentic recommendations and local chatter.
Where else can a local business – be it a plumber, an independent coffee shop, a skilled hairdresser, or an estate agent get real, high-value leads just by being an active, helpful member of their community?
- Targeted Gold: Facebook’s ad platform still allows for precise demographic and geographic targeting. You can reach people within a two-mile radius who are interested in home renovations or new parents in your local area.
- The Power of Groups: Local community groups are essentially focus groups and referral engines. A single recommendation for a “great local bakery” or a “reliable mechanic” can bring a flood of immediate business. If you aren’t active in these groups (not just promoting, but genuinely helping), you are invisible to the modern referral economy.
- Essential Transaction Hub: Don’t let the “noise” of the feed distract you. Facebook is an essential hub for transactions. From booking appointments (via integrated tools) to direct sales and live shopping events, the platform facilitates direct business that bypasses a simple website visit.
(Can we add the YouTube Short… https://youtube.com/shorts/7Rh8jHoiR2I with a thumbnail to watch)
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Why You MUST Be Visible
While Meta still has a long way to go to tackle some of the more concerning issues, the sheer scale of the platform is undeniable. If you are a business owner looking for customers, you have to go where the customers are.
The latest figures boast a staggering 3.07 BILLION monthly active users worldwide. In the UK alone, this platform reaches over 55.9 million people.
So, why is this massive audience important to you?
- Research & Trust: More than half of all users share that they regularly use the platform to follow and research the brands and products they like. Before making a purchase, your potential customer is almost certainly checking your Facebook Page for:
- Social Proof (likes, shares, comments).
- Recent Activity (Are you still in business?).
- Customer Reviews (The gold standard of digital trust).
- Time on Platform: On average, a user spends about 10 minutes and 12 seconds on Facebook in a single session. That’s a significant chunk of time, plenty of opportunity to dazzle them with your amazing business, build trust, and convince them to buy your products or services.
Trust us, don’t turn your back on this platform just yet!
But Wait: “The Young People Don’t Use Facebook Anymore!”
This is the most common objection we hear: “But Kate/Emma, the young people don’t use Facebook anymore! I need to be on Instagram and TikTok.”
And you are absolutely correct, younger demographics are gravitating toward short-form video on TikTok and visual content on Instagram. However, this does not mean you should abandon Facebook; it means you need to rethink its purpose in your strategy.
- Who Holds the Wallet? While younger users may be on TikTok, the key buying demographics (ages 35+) remain extremely active on Facebook. These are often the people who own homes, manage household finances, and make the high-value decisions you want to influence.
- Cross-Platform Content: Your amazing Instagram or TikTok video can be easily cross-posted to Facebook Reels or simply shared to your main feed, capturing the attention of your older audience.
- The Funnel Hub: Think of Facebook as the conversion hub. TikTok and Instagram might be great for discovery and awareness, but Facebook is superior for converting interest into leads and sales through its events, groups, and sophisticated advertising tools.
Some real-life numbers from our clients in 2025…
Client A – target audience – Visitors & Tourists to Coventry in the West Midlands.
Video 1 had 93,000 views. It was posted on Instagram and shared automatically to Facebook. Of those views, Instagram contributed 6400 and Facebook contributed 86600.
Client B – target audience – Gardeners in Warwickshire.
Video 1 had 589400 views. Again, it was posted on Instagram and shared automatically to Facebook. Of those views, Instagram contributed 121400 views, and Facebook contributed 468002.
We have numerous examples just like this. Facebook still has an important part to play in your marketing and social media strategy.
Ready to Stop Missing Out?
If you’ve been ignoring your Facebook presence because of bad advice or old myths, it’s time to change your perspective. The platform isn’t dying; it’s simply evolving, and your strategy must evolve with it.
Not sure where to even start with optimising your Facebook Page, mastering the ad manager, or engaging effectively in local community groups?
We can help! Contact us today to develop a Facebook strategy that turns your most reliable digital asset into a consistent revenue generator.