Have a fucking website
Source: Hacker News
Why a Website Matters
Look, I get it. The foundations of the internet are broken and we’ve somehow gotten to a place where having a website is either expensive, complicated, or perceived as unnecessary, whereas social media platforms are cheap and easy. But still, please, if you are a business or an individual artist or creator, have a fucking website. “But‑” fuck you, have a fucking website.
I haven’t had a Facebook account in a decade. I have Instagram blocked for most of the day so I don’t waste time scrolling it. If you’re a hair salon, a tattoo artist, a restaurant, or whatever, please just have a fucking website where I can go and see your rates and hours. Not all of your potential clients are on these platforms, and many of the ones who are appreciate a simple, unadorned site that tells them what they need to know at a glance.
The Risks of Relying on Social Media
- Platforms can change the rules overnight, making the following you’ve built up suddenly worthless.
- They can boot you for no reason, leaving you with no recourse.
- You don’t own the content you put on social media platforms. You don’t own your follower counts or your posts.
Stop giving away all of your shit to data harvesters and advertisers for free in exchange for the illusion of importance that comes with likes and a follower count.
What a Simple Site Gives You
- A permanent place on the internet where people can find your rates, hours, menu, or portfolio.
- Control over your own content and branding.
- A stable foundation that isn’t subject to the whims of “drug‑addled tech overlords.”
Building a Site and Staying Connected
- Set up a basic website with the essential information (menu, prices, contact details).
- Start a mailing list. Email is basically the only means of reaching your contacts that can’t easily be taken away from you.
A Brief History
The internet was built on websites that linked to one another. The concept of congregating in walled gardens owned by “pedophilic fascist speed freaks” who actively block the sharing of links to keep people scrolling is very new. With any luck, it will pass sooner rather than later, and every time someone creates an actual fucking website, that day gets a little closer.