We’re all familiar with the Instagram posts that end with the call-to-action of “click the link in bio” for more details. 

And I’m all for that! After all, the whole idea of marketing on social media is to get someone interested enough that they actually click to your website. 

But something that I see happen all too often is that the “link in bio” doesn’t actually lead to their website… 

Instead, it leads to a LinkTree or other link in bio service that has promised the ease of displaying multiple links on one page so that people can click what they need specifically. 

Now, let me be clear – the concept of this is great! There are lots of people in your audience who need or want different things. 

One person might want to download your freebie, another might want to read your blog and another might actually want to enroll in your course. 

It makes sense that you would want all of these options easily available for them, but what you may not realize is that all of these options could do more harm than good.

3 Reasons LinkTree Isn't Enough

It INTERFERES WITH YOUR BUYER JOURNEY

Every business and brand has a very specific buyer or customer journey and it’s essentially the process that a customer goes through before ultimately buying from you.

When you use a LinkTree or other link in bio service, it heavily interferes with your buyer journey and actually can prevent people from taking the action you want them to take. 

If you’re unfamiliar with what a LinkTree looks like, it typically looks like this:

As you can see, there are a LOT of different links that a user could click, which could lead to distraction and even overwhelm.

When someone becomes distracted or overwhelmed in this instance, there’s a chance they’ll be faced with decision fatigue and take no action at all. 

When it comes to marketing on social media, the ultimate goal is to get them OFF of the app they’re currently on and into a space that YOU, as the business owner, own – aka your website – so that you have more control over their experience. 

A LinkTree does the exact opposite of that because it’s essentially another app that you don’t have much control over.

When you use a specific page of your website for your link in bio instead, you’re able to properly guide your audience into the decisions that are best for them and provide strategic resources that could eventually lead to a sale.

It interferes with your branding.

As a brand designer, you know that I’m constantly concerned about staying on brand – for myself and for my clients.

And unfortunately, LinkTree makes this very difficult to do, even if you have the paid version of the platform.

With LinkTree and other link in bio services, you’re limited on what types of customizations you can make, which means you’re often forced to use their colors and fonts.

Without consistency in your brand in every single place you show up – whether it be on social media, in your emails, on your website, and even at your link in bio – it's hard to build your brand recognition, which is the thing that makes your audience recognize you among the rest. 

Even though it might seem small, your link in bio is a key part of your brand strategy and needs to be thoughtfully considered!

It doesn't support your SEO efforts.

SEO stands for search engine optimization and it’s the process of improving your website to increase its visibility on Google and other search engines.

One of the things that actually boosts your SEO is when people click to your website from social media because it shows that people are finding value in your content and want to explore more.

When you use a LinkTree or other link in bio service, you completely erase the possibility of Google to track this information because LinkTree becomes the one capturing the clicks… NOT your website. 👎🏼

So now you might be wondering, “then what’s the solution Amanda?!”

Glad you asked!

There is a way for you to give your audience exactly what they need and want through the link in your bio WITHOUT sacrificing your buyer journey, branding or SEO. 

What to use instead of LinkTree

Short answer: use your website. 

But make it strategic! (If you don’t know, that’s my favorite ‘S’ word. 😏)

“But Amanda, what if I still want to share multiple links?”

YOU CAN! 

Like I mentioned earlier, the concept of LinkTree and other link in bio services is great – that’s not what I have a problem with. 

I just have a problem with NOT moving your social media audience onto your website where you have way more control over their experience.

One of my favorite solutions that I’ve implemented for myself and for my clients is creating a page on your website that’s designed like a LinkTree, but doesn’t compromise your branding, buyer journey or your SEO. 

Here’s mine and it looks like this:

With this strategic design, you have much more control over what the page looks like, can ensure it's cohesive with your overall branding, and know that your website is getting all the love instead of another third party platform.

Also, instead of this page just being a list of links, you can also take it further and include a mini-about section (sort of like I did) so that your audience can instantly get to know you better and feel more inclined to take the desired action. 

Here’s another example of this solution from one of my favorite marketing strategists – Jenna Kutcher

As you can see, she designed this page to be very similar to any other page on her website, complete with a quiz, intro paragraph, links to her latest posts and updates, and THEN all of the possible links that her audience might need. 

That’s an A+ in my book!

Need Help With Web Design?

After reading this, you might feel like your website is not in top notch condition to put in front of your followers like this. 

And if that’s you, first I want to say that you’re not alone. As a business owner, you wear a lot of hats and sometimes you just have to publish a website that’s “good enough.”

While I totally understand this, I want you to know that prioritizing your website and making sure it’s strategically designed with your buyer's journey in mind is one of the best things you can do for your business. 

But if you don’t have time to figure it out on your own, that’s okay too – because that’s exactly what I’m here for!

My website design service includes:

• Personalized direct service and a project roadmap for the clearest communication
• Content and calls-to- action based on a conversion first (aka: money making) mindset 
• Customized, strategic (SEO driven) messaging and visuals to attract your specific audience
• Post launch support so you won't immediately feel alone after your big launch
• An aesthetically user-focused design to give your audience a first impression that will knock their socks off
• A simple user log-in to edit your website along with training video tutorials so you have the freedom to make updates anytime

Your business deserves to have a digital billboard that not only attracts your ideal audience, but also converts them into real customers. 

That’s what a strategic website can do for you, so if you’re in search of just that, I’m your girl. 👋🏼

I'd love to connect and see how you can go beyond a LinkTree and have a link in bio that truly works for you!

Your designer friend always,