Does a pharmacy need more than a social media page?

Social media connects you, but on someone else’s terms

Social media is powerful because your customers are already there. A Facebook page, for example, lets you interact with customers, collect reviews, and share updates without building anything from scratch.

However, that convenience comes at a cost:

• Limited reach without paying for it. Your Facebook posts won’t automatically appear in all your followers' feeds unless you pay to promote them. Facebook, not you, controls how and when your customers see your messages.
• Changing trends. Social media platforms rise and fall in popularity. (Remember MySpace?) Building your entire online presence on a platform that could fade tomorrow puts your connection with customers at risk.

In contrast, your website is a platform you control.

When you post a notice, add a banner, or update information, it’s immediately available to anyone who visits with no gatekeepers, fees, or algorithms in the way.

Social media should be used to drive traffic to your website, where you fully own the relationship with your customers.

Social media alone won’t support online sales

While social media platforms offer a lot of great features, they fall short when it comes to helping pharmacies sell products or services online.

If you want to promote a product through Facebook, your best option is to write a post — but there’s no built-in way for customers to browse, purchase, and pay directly from your page.

That creates extra friction for your customers:

• They have to message you
• Wait for a reply
• Arrange payment manually
• Possibly visit your store in person

With a website, the process is simple.

Customers can view your products, add them to a shopping cart, and conveniently pay online securely. Whether they choose delivery or in-store pickup, the experience is seamless, and you can focus on providing great care instead of chasing down orders.

A smoother buying experience means happier customers and more completed sales.

Being found online starts with a website

Think about the last time you needed to find a service. Did you open Facebook first? Probably not, you most likely started with a Google search. Your patients behave the same way.

They’re searching for "pharmacy near me" or "flu shots in [your town]" — and Google favors traditional websites in its search results. It’s much easier for Google to index a website than a social media page.

If you have a website, your pharmacy is more likely to appear when customers search for the services you offer, giving you a major advantage in reaching new patients.

What's next?

Should you delete your pharmacy’s Facebook page? Absolutely not. Social media is still a great place to engage with customers, share updates, and stay top of mind. But for maximum impact, your social media presence should complement your website, not replace it.

Think of it this way:

• Social media is how you meet customers where they already are.
• Your website is where you bring them home.

A website makes it easier for customers to find you, understand your services, trust your expertise, and do business with you - all on a platform that you fully control.

Ready to build a stronger online presence for your pharmacy?

Storbie is here to help.