1. Facebook is the most popular social network.

There’s strength in numbers, and with over 1.4 billion users and over 900 million of those users visiting the site every day, Facebook is undoubtedly the 800-pound gorilla of social media. If you’re like most small businesses, you simply can’t afford not to have a presence there.

2. Facebook users encompass all demographics.

Whether you’re trying to reach teens or seniors, you can find them on Facebook. According to Pew, some 72 percent of online American adults use Facebook. Eighty-two percent of online adults ages 18 to 29 use it, 79 percent of those ages 30 to 49 use it and 64 percent of those ages 50 to 64 use it. Even among Internet users aged 65 and up, nearly half (48 percent) use Facebook.

3. Facebook is “sticky.”

Facebook users spend a lot of time on the site — 40 minutes per day, on average. Worldwide, Facebook-use accounts for a whopping 20 percent of all time online, Business Insider says. More time on Facebook means more time spent interacting with your business’s presence there.

4. Facebook is growing.

Not only does Facebook dominate social media use, but it shows no signs of slowing.

5. Facebook advertising is affordable.

The average Facebook ad costs just $5.99 per thousand impressions. In addition, you can set and control your own budget so you don’t face unexpected marketing costs.

6. Facebook advertising is highly targeted.

You can target your audience by location, age, gender, interests and other factors. Use the Custom Audiences feature to target existing customers safely and privately. Or, market to local customers with Local Awareness ads that reach customers on their mobile devices.

7. Facebook lets you reach out to website customers.

Facebook’s re-targeting option allows you to show Facebook ads only to people who have previously visited your business website.