If Instagram Disappeared Tomorrow, Would Your Business Survive? Tattoo artists, photographers, designers, and anyone building a creative business.. You might need a website
- Mia Parziale
- Nov 9
- 2 min read
“I’m booked out for months just from Instagram. Why would I spend money on a website?”
Fair question. If your DMs are full and your calendar’s packed, a website might feel like extra work for no reason. For a lot of tattoo artists and creatives, Instagram alone works. Your audience is there, and the platform does exactly what you need it to do. So why a creative business website?
The Problem With Relying Only on Social Media
Instagram is rented space. You don’t own or control it, and if something goes wrong, you’re starting from scratch. Algorithm changes happen constantly. Accounts get hacked or suspended. I’ve seen artists lose years of work and client connections overnight because of platform issue.
What a Website Actually Does for You
A website wouldn’t replace Instagram, but it’s a backup. It’s the place people go when they want a little more info. When they’re ready to book, want to see your full portfolio, and when they need answers before they reach out.
You Show Up in Google Searches
Not everyone finds artists through social media. Some people still search “tattoo artist near me” or “fine line tattoo Los Angeles.” If you don’t have a website, you’re not showing up in those results.
You Control Everything
On your own site, you decide how your work is organized, what information clients see first, and how your brand comes across. No algorithm deciding what gets seen, or platform rules changing overnight.
It Builds Credibility
A website makes you look more established. For clients who are newer to getting tattooed or working with creatives, it’s reassuring. It shows you’re “serious”.
When Does a Website Make Sense?
If you’re trying to grow beyond your current Instagram audience, if you want to attract clients who aren’t super active on social media, or if you just want a safety net that isn’t controlled by Meta, a website is worth it.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. A simple Canva site (if you have Canva Pro) can work and give you a landing page with your portfolio, FAQ, and booking link. It’s not as flexible as a custom site, but it’s better than nothing and it gets you showing up in search results. Otherwise, Wix and Squarespace are easy, and there are a lot of other new options to choose from.
So…
If you’re happy with where you’re at and Instagram is doing everything you need, you don’t need to rush into it. But if you’re thinking long term, if you want to own your brand instead of just borrowing it, a website may pay off over time.
You want to be findable, reliable, and not entirely dependent on one platform that could change the rules whenever it feels like it.
