Why a Website Beats Facebook for Restaurants and Tourism in Spain

If you’re running a restaurant, café, holiday rental, or tourist business in Spain, chances are you’ve been told that having a Facebook page is enough. After all, it’s free, your customers are on there, and you can post photos and updates without needing to learn anything too technical. But here’s the truth: relying solely on Facebook is like setting up your business in someone else’s bar – you don’t own the space, and the rules can change at any moment.

In this article, we explore why small businesses in Spain’s food and tourism sectors are being left behind by sticking to social-only strategies, and how a simple, smart website can help you grow, convert, and stay ahead.

The Facebook Trap

Facebook might feel familiar and convenient, but it comes with some serious downsides:

1. You don’t own it. Your content, followers, reviews, and visibility are all at the mercy of Meta’s ever-changing algorithm. A sudden change can bury your updates and slash your reach overnight.

2. It’s not SEO-friendly. Tourists search Google. They search Maps. They want restaurant menus, booking info, directions, and reviews — not a Facebook feed that hasn’t been updated in six months.

3. It’s not built for business. Try adding a structured menu, an integrated booking system, or professional branding on Facebook. It quickly gets messy, and users have to jump through hoops.

4. Visibility is throttled. Unless you pay for ads, only a small fraction of your followers will see your posts. That ‘free reach’ everyone talks about? It’s more of a myth now.

5. It doesn’t build long-term trust. A well-designed website conveys professionalism. Facebook pages with random review scores and outdated photos do not.

What a Website Gives You

Unlike Facebook, your website is your online home. Here’s what that means in practice:

1. You’re in control. From branding and layout to content and integrations, you decide how your business is presented.

2. You show up in Google. A good website will rank in search results, attract organic traffic, and pull in people searching for “best restaurant in La Manga” or “holiday apartments in Murcia.”

3. One-click info. Your menu, booking calendar, location, photos, and reviews are all in one place — designed to work on both phones and laptops.

4. Convert more visitors. Unlike a Facebook page, a website is optimised to drive actions: reservations, orders, inquiries, or bookings.

5. Professional credibility. People trust businesses with proper websites. It shows you’re established, open, and care about the customer experience.

A Quick Case Example: Bar Antonio, La Manga

Bar Antonio ran on Facebook alone for years. They had great tapas, but only walk-in traffic and no pre-booking. Tourists would message the page, often too late to get a table.

After launching a simple one-page website with a photo gallery, embedded booking form, and Google Maps link, they saw a jump in pre-booked tables. In peak season, over 60% of their business now comes from online reservations.

No complex system. No massive cost. Just results.

The Facebook Generation Gap

Facebook’s user base is ageing. Younger travellers (Millennials and Gen Z) prefer Instagram, Google, TripAdvisor, and direct websites. When they plan their trips, they search:

• “Vegan-friendly restaurants near Cartagena”
• “Sea view apartments in Costa Cálida”
• “Top things to do in Murcia with kids”

If you’re only on Facebook, you’re invisible to these searches.

Facebook vs Website: ROI in Real Numbers

• Average website conversion rate: 2% to 5% of visitors take action (book/call/order)
• Facebook post reach (organic): 5% to 10% of followers on average
• Google search usage for local business: 78% of people use search to find local services

Translation? Your website may only cost a few euros per month, but it works 24/7, brings in bookings, and grows with your business.

Final Thoughts: Take Back Control

Facebook is a tool, not a strategy. It’s great for updates and engagement, but it should support your business — not be your only digital home.

Whether you’re running a busy beachfront bar, managing a holiday apartment, or launching a new tourism experience, a simple website is your best digital investment. It helps you get found, look professional, and convert interest into action.

If you’re still relying on Facebook alone, maybe it’s time to finally upgrade your digital presence.

Let your website do the work while you focus on running your business.

Need help getting started? That’s what we do at Eat The Web. From affordable one-page sites to full-featured booking systems, we help small businesses across Spain go beyond social.

Explore our Website Packages