In our modern the era of information, social media has become an essential part of our lives. It has transformed the way we connect, share information, and even conduct business. However, for breeders and animal sellers, relying solely on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be risky. These private companies have implemented strict policies, prohibiting the sale of animals and other regulated goods. Most of these policies were adapted and/or enforced way back in 2016, so they aren’t new. As a user, you agree to these policies in order to use the platform.
This means that if you heavily rely on social media to sell your purebred puppies or kittens, you are taking a big chance at losing your online business. You could wake up one day to find your account closed down, leaving you without a way to reach your client base. Additionally, your current customers and/or deposit holders who realize your account has vanished may also sense they have been scammed. They may initiate chargebacks & refunds, which trigger a variety of restrictions and hardships on your financial accounts. Not to mention, the clients who notice that your social media pages are gone may assume they have been blocked or scammed; thus, motivating them to write negative reviews about the experience on their personal and business social media accounts such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram. Even if the reviews are later taken down or revised, these reviews and testimonials are often a first and only impression of your breeding business. So, the damage has already been done.
The loss of your social media account not only means losing your followers and potential clients but also the countless hours, effort, and advertising fees you’ve invested in building your online presence. To ensure the sustainability and longevity of your breeding business, it is crucial to have an alternative source of online customer traffic that is not dependent on social media platforms. This is where having a dedicated website for your breeding business becomes essential.
But I Can Trick the Algorithm!
No, you can’t. Not forever. While some in the breeding community may think they can continue to evade detection by using coded language, symbols, emojis, or phrases to sell animals on social media, AI algorithms have become increasingly sophisticated in identifying these tactics. Platforms use advanced machine learning to recognize patterns and variations in language, which means that even if certain words or symbols are used to disguise animal sales, the AI can still learn to detect these with surprising accuracy over time. AI can also recognize these words and symbols on images. Social media companies continually improve their algorithms to close these loopholes, making it more likely that accounts using these methods will be flagged, restricted, or banned. As the algorithms evolve, relying on word tricks or coded language only increases the risk of losing your business traffic and only means of sales. For breeders, attempting to sidestep these rules can jeopardize their accounts and the ability to reach clients, with potentially significant business implications.
Building Trust and Credibility Outside of Social Media
Having a website design for your breeding business allows you to establish trust and credibility with potential customers. When people are looking to buy a new pet, they want to ensure that they are dealing with a reputable and responsible breeder. A well-designed website can serve as a platform to showcase your breeding program, your knowledge and expertise, and the care and love you put into raising your animals.
Your website can feature detailed information about your breeding practices, such as health screenings, genetic testing, and socialization efforts. You can also highlight any awards, certifications, or affiliations you have earned in the industry. By providing this information upfront, you instill confidence in potential buyers, reassuring them that they are making a responsible and informed decision by choosing your breeding business for a purebred puppy or kitten.
Additionally, a website allows you to showcase testimonials and reviews from satisfied customers. These testimonials act as social proof, demonstrating that you have a track record of delivering healthy and happy animals to loving homes. By including pictures and stories of your previous litters and the families they went to, you create a personal connection with your audience, further building trust and rapport.
Control Over Your Brand and Messaging
When you rely solely on social media platforms, you are at the mercy of their policies and algorithms. These platforms can change their rules or algorithms at any time, potentially impacting your reach and visibility. They can also remove or suspend your account without warning, leaving you with no recourse – because, after all, selling and promotion of animal sales on their platform is prohibited. Keep in mind, if your private message is reported for going against community standards, these platforms do review the actual content of the reported private message (manually or a bot) to decide if the message is against community standards. So even having the Nothing for Sale on This Page statement on your social media does not protect the account from penalty. Plain and simple – Facebook, Instagram, and other social media has prohibited animal sales or the promotion of animal sales. Promoting a sale of an animal or selling the animal via private conversations and public posts is a violation.
It is also important to understand that if you are logged into a platform through a multi-login process (cross/linked accounts), you may lose the ability to log into your other platforms if you have the primary account removed.
By having your own website, you regain control over your brand and messaging and privacy. You decide how your breeding business is presented, what information is shared, and how it is organized. You can tailor your website to reflect your unique selling points, values, and the qualities that set your breeding program apart from others. This control allows you to differentiate yourself in a crowded market and attract the right audience for your puppies, kittens, and other animals.
Furthermore, having your own website enables you to implement marketing strategies that are tailored specifically to your target audience. You can optimize your website for search engines, ensuring that potential customers who are actively searching for specific breeds or characteristics find your website. You can also integrate lead capture forms or email sign-ups, allowing you to build a database of interested buyers and stay in touch with them through email.
A Central Location for Information
A website serves as a central hub for all the information and resources your customers may need. You can provide comprehensive details about your available litters, including breed, age, health records, deposits, and pricing. You can also include FAQs, care guides, and training tips to help new pet owners navigate the responsibilities of pet ownership – having all of this useful information in one place for your customers.
Moreover, a breeder website allows you to showcase the facilities where your animals are raised, giving potential buyers peace of mind that they are purchasing from a reputable breeder. You can include pictures and descriptions of your kennels, catteries, or breeding facilities, highlighting the clean and comfortable environment in which your animals are raised. This transparency can go a long way in reassuring buyers that they are getting a healthy and well-cared-for pet.
Additionally, having a website enables you to share news and updates about your breeding program. You can announce upcoming litters, introduce new breeding pairs, or share stories and photos of your animals. This not only keeps your existing customers engaged but also attracts new visitors to your website, increasing your chances of generating leads and sales.
Don’t Risk It
Relying solely on social media platforms for your breeding business is a risky proposition. With the ban on animal sales and the unpredictable nature of these platforms, your hard-earned client base can disappear overnight. By investing in a dog breeder website design for your breeding business, you can establish trust and credibility, regain control over your brand and messaging, and create a central location for information and resources. Don’t let the fate of your breeding business rest in the hands of social media giants – take control and secure your online presence with a dedicated website.
