How To Create An Instagram Link Menu On Your Website
Your website should be your best 24/7 marketing assistant, connecting with potential clients on your behalf, even while you’re not working. But it can only do its job if people are looking at it.
“Website traffic” refers to the number of people that view your website, and it’s important to keep a steady flow of traffic at all times (yes, even when you’re not actively looking for new clients).
A great way to encourage consistent traffic is to include your website URL in your Instagram bio (as well as your other social media profiles). Since Instagram only allows one bio link, a popular trend is to use third-party services like Linktr.ee to create a “link menu.” Many business owners use link menus to give followers options and direct them to their latest offerings or resources.
The problem:
Link menus are a great idea, in theory. The problem is that when you use a third-party service, like Linktr.ee, you’re interrupting and deflecting potential traffic to your website.
When people click on your Linktr.ee link, they go to the Linktr.ee website (which hosts your link menu). From there, people can choose to click on the links that lead to your website, but if you have links that lead to external sites, people may bypass your website entirely!
Squarespace now offers Bio Sites, which are mobile-first mini-sites with quick links; however, they create the same problem as Linktr.ee because Bio Sites are hosted at their own domain, therefore circumventing your URL.
Since your website is the place where people can book appointments or buy your products and services, deflecting traffic prevents potential clients and customers from working with you.
The solution:
Instead of sending valuable traffic away from your website, create a link menu on your own website, then put that link in your Instagram bio.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Create a new page
In Squarespace, open your Pages panel, scroll down to your Not Linked pages, and click the “+” to add a new page.
2. Name the page “Links" and make sure the URL slug reads: /links
Step 2: Design page & insert links
1. Add content blocks to the page to design your bio site. Switch to “mobile” view to configure your page layout, since this page is meant for mobile viewing only.
2. Add links to your page by inserting Button Blocks or hyperlinks. Only add your most important links to avoid visitor overwhelm.
3. Toggle “off” header and footer to create a streamlined, distraction-free link menu. Navigate to your page’s settings > Navigation > Show Header: off, Show Footer: off.
Step 3: Add page URL to Instagram bio
1. Copy the URL of your newly created “links” page, and paste it into your Instagram bio.
2. Test the link from Instagram to make sure it works, and enjoy your increased website traffic!
Remember, your website is your most valuable marketing asset. If set up correctly, it connects with potential clients on your behalf, provides them a valuable experience, and allows them to book or purchase from you without you having to lift a finger. Therefore, your website should be your practice’s virtual home base, where all other online marketing channels lead.
If you need more help increasing your website traffic, join Website Supervision, my weekly newsletter where I share my best website tips, Squarespace how-to’s, and marketing best practices:
