In today’s fast moving digital world, it’s easy to think that social media is all you need to run and grow your business. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok have made it simple to post pictures, take orders and even advertise to people in your area at a relatively low cost if you are paying for ads. For many, this feels like enough. On the 12th March this year 2025 I wrote an article about “Why Relying Only on Social Media for Your Business Is a Huge Mistake” and this is the perfect follow up of that article which you can read by clicking here.

So what happens when those platforms disappear overnight? That’s exactly what’s happening right now in Nepal, where the government has banned 26 major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and X (Twitter).

For thousands of small businesses there—cafés, trekking guides, salons, bars, restaurants their lifeline to customers has suddenly been cut. Many of these businesses don’t have websites, which means they’ve effectively vanished online. 

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: while Nepal might feel far away, the lessons are very close to home.

What the Nepal Ban Teaches Us

The Nepalese government enforced the ban after social media companies failed to register locally. TikTok survived because it complied, but nearly every other major platform went dark in one move. Now I know people in England or even Darlington will be reading this thinking, “ it won’t happen here “ or “ it won’t happen to me “ I have heard & experienced countless examples of businesses having their IG account blocked, hacked, banned. Gone just like that and no website to save them. 

For small businesses, this means:

– No place to post menus or new arrivals.
– No way to take bookings or orders via Messenger or WhatsApp.
– No chance of running ads to bring in fresh customers.

If you don’t have a website, your business becomes invisible overnight.

The ripple effects are huge:

– Tourists can’t find guides or restaurants.
– Locals can’t contact their regular salon or shop.
– Independent sellers are forced onto third party apps that take a cut of every sale.

This is the danger of putting all your eggs in one basket and not having a 360 degree marketing vision. From your social media customers can visit your website, share it with friends who might not be on social media, sign up to a newsletter or even just make a group booking online.

Why Social Media Alone Isn’t Enough

Even without a ban, relying 100% on social media for your business is risky for another reason: social platforms are closed communities.

If someone already knows about your page, they might follow you. If you pay for ads, you might reach some new people. But what about those who don’t even know your business exists yet?

Here’s where the difference lies:

– Social media is discovery based. You push your content out and hope it lands in front of the right people.
– Search engines (like Google) are intent based. People actively search for something they want right now whether it’s “best takeaway near me” or “wedding florist Darlington.”

If your business doesn’t show up on Google, you’re missing out on people who are already in the buying mindset but don’t know who you are.

A Local Example: Darlington

Let’s take a real scenario. Imagine a couple travelling from Leeds to Darlington for a weekend away. They’ve never been before, so how do they decide where to eat or drink?

They don’t open Instagram and scroll through random posts hoping to stumble across your page. Instead, they’ll type into Google:

– “best cocktails in Darlington”
– “bottomless brunch in Darlington”
– “Italian restaurant Darlington”

At that moment, they are ready to book. They want answers, not endless scrolling.

Here is one of my every day used acronyms, NEDICT: 

N – new customers/buyers to the area 

E – emergency buyers/customers 

D – dissatisfied buyers/customers  

I – infrequent buyers/customers 

C – comparison buyers/customers

T – transient buyers/customers 

If you only have a Facebook page or rely on social media, your business probably won’t show up in those search results. Google prioritises websites, reviews and directories. Your competitors with proper websites will win that customer every single time.

That means money that could have been in your till goes into someone else’s.

The Long Term Impact of Ignoring a Website

If you believe that all of your customers are on social media, you’re only seeing a slice of the market. The bigger picture is this:

– Locals might find you on Facebook—but new customers, tourists and out of town visitors are searching on Google.
– Competitors with websites will gain more visibility, more bookings and ultimately, more revenue.
– Over time, your business will look smaller, less professional and less trustworthy compared to those that invest in a proper online presence.

It’s not just about being found. A website also gives you:

– Control over your brand and content.
– Credibility (a professional website is like a shopfront online).
– Resilience (no risk of losing your audience if a platform shuts down, changes its rules or bans you).

What Local Businesses Should Do Now

If Nepal shows us anything, it’s this: social media is borrowed ground. You don’t own it. If it’s taken away tomorrow, what happens to your business? Seriously what do you do? 

Here are the steps to futureproof yourself:

– Get a website. Even a simple, well designed one page site is better than nothing. Make sure it has:

• Your contact details
• Your menu or services
• Location and opening hours
• A booking or enquiry form

– Optimise for Google. Add your business to Google Business Profile so you appear in maps and local search results.
– Use social media as a supplement, not the foundation. Keep your profiles active, but always drive people back to your website.
– Think long term. A website is an asset that builds value over time. Social media accounts don’t.

My final thoughts 

Nepal’s social media ban may feel like a world away, but it’s a clear warning. If your business relies solely on Facebook or Instagram, you are building on rented land.

Customers especially new ones from outside your area don’t start on social media. They start on Google.

So the question is: when someone searches “best cocktails in Darlington”, will they find you or your competitor?

Because in the end, it’s not just about likes or followers. It’s about being visible at the exact moment someone is ready to spend money. And for that, you need more than just a Facebook page. You need a website.

If you are a local business in the hospitality industry and want to improve your online visibility then contact me today for a FREE no obligation quotation.

Thanks for reading, 

Myk Baxter 

eCommerce & Digital Marketing Expert