For companies that want to assert themselves in their market, an Internet presence is essential nowadays. Many startups start by devising a good business plan with a high quality website. Even traditional companies have recognized that they are increasingly found and, above all, rated by old and new customers via the World Wide Web.

But how can companies gain and maintain customer trust when the first thing consumers see is an impersonal website? Social media could be the ideal answer. It is not for nothing that people speak of social networks, because businesses of all sizes can show their human side here. In addition, they offer self-employed people and startups the opportunity to expand the level of awareness of their brand, product or service, to build up their reputation and to win new customers.

Unfortunately, many small businesses and self-employed people view social networks as a tiresome task for which precious working hours cannot be saved, especially in the early stages of their own business, and if so, only half-heartedly. But even if you don’t have a sophisticated social media campaign or even only have 10 minutes to spare at the end of the day, we want to show that it is still worthwhile for small businesses and the self-employed to make use of social networks.

Facebook is the most widely used social network. The latest figures, which the American Internet giant only published this June, show that there are 30 million active Facebook users in this country. This means that theoretically 30 million new customers are just waiting to discover new brands and brands.

If there is absolutely no budget available for sponsored posts on Facebook, you can still derive a lot of benefits from a company profile page. As indicated above, perhaps the most important reason is communication with customers. Anyone who can build this up with their customers already has one foot in the door, especially when questions are asked about the service or the product. Companies that offer potential customers something extra at the same time, i.e. added value without trying to sell something, will soon notice that customers return to their profile page. This helps e.g. even if something has gone wrong, because nothing is more damaging to the image of a business than radio silence.

Facebook company pages can also be used well to announce important company technical developments, innovations or restructuring. Has the company opened up a new market or hired its first employee? A Facebook post about it spreads much faster than a boring press release, which business journalists might end up in the trash.

Also, one should not forget that not only customers, but also new employees, potential business partners or investors like to review the company and not infrequently on the Internet. A well-maintained Facebook page could help to make a good impression.

Another point that speaks for the use of social networks like Facebook is the chance to find out what certain target groups are talking about. Can you foresee certain trends in your own industry? How is your own company rated? If you keep an eye on it, you can react quickly to trends or implement necessary improvements.