If you’re using Instagram to grow your business (and you should be!), your bio is one of the most valuable pieces of real estate you’ve got. When I started using Instagram to grow my business, I realized that the handful of emojis and a quick, barely noticeable link to my homepage wasn’t really going to cut it. We don’t get much personal real estate on IG, so we have to use those small details incredibly strategically. But what’s the best way to optimize it without feeling like you need a PhD in digital marketing?
In order to grow the businesses that we love, we have to figure out what’s working! To do that, we have to optimize (it’s now one of my favorite words of all time!) And while it’s not often a simple task to optimize all your marketing efforts—here’s some sweet relief! There’s no need to get intimidated with this one. We’re honing on one of the easiest and best ways to optimize and maximize your Instagram bio: Adding a link tree! A link tree allows you to easily link to multiple pages, whether it’s your latest blog post, your newsletter sign-up, or a new product launch.
Let’s Get Into The Best Linktree Alternatives
And there’s of course the classic Linktree, but what if I told you there are other tools that can do the same thing (and maybe even a little more)? In this post, I’m going to walk you through 3 alternatives to the original Linktree that’ll help you optimize your Instagram bio, grow your email list, and take your business to the next level. And don’t stress—these are simple, easy-to-use tools that won’t take hours to set up. Let’s get started with a quick, actionable way to get your bio working harder for you!
1. Flodesk Link Pages
Why It’s Great
Well, I’ve always been a big Flodesk fan! They’re champions of making beautiful stuff that works. I think Flodesk Link Pages are perfect for small business owners who want to optimize their Instagram bio and make sure their audience feels a cohesive brand experience all the way from their IG page to their link tree to their website. With an easy-to-use drag-and-drop design, you can create a sleek, branded landing page that integrates seamlessly with your email list. This means you’re not just sharing links, but you’re also connecting with your audience in a way that builds your email list at the same time.
How to Get Started
Simply sign up for Flodesk (get 50% off your membership + 30 FREE days when you sign up here!) and choose a template you love, add your links, and make sure to include a clear call-to-action (CTA) for your audience to join your list. With Flodesk’s simple integration, you’ll be capturing emails in no time!
Related: How Flodesk Works and Why You Should Be Using It
2. Beacons
Why It’s Great
I remember testing out Beacons when I needed a Linktree alternative that could be a super speedy solution for linking a few highlighted blog posts and new freebies I had just dropped. I loved the option to embed a video made me feel extra fancy—it’s kind of like giving your IG bio its own quick highlight reel! I think Beacons is a great solution if you want a simple link tree set up without craving that extra on-brand-focused design element. It’s fast, it’s a little flashy, and it’s uncomplicated. If you’re a content creator or small business owner looking for a straightforward yet powerful solution, Beacons is a solid choice.
Quick Tip
Don’t shy away from embedding your own video here, too! Making that quick connection is a brilliant way to optimize that funnel that leads your audience into your email list, and a video can truly mean all the difference. Introduce those curious clickers to who you are or embed a video that shares a quick tip or win so it’s extra enticing!
3. Custom-Built Landing Page (Your Website)
Why It’s an Option
If you want total control over your Instagram bio and prefer to host everything on your own website, a custom-built landing page might be your way to go, especially if you already have the tech skills! Most of our pages are created from scratch allowing us to leverage our professional branding and help ensure all of our business priorities are covered beautifully! We use a Tonic Site Shop template for our links page and love the ability to make it entirely our own.
Between designing for mobile and remembering to update it frequently, I can see why people would choose something like Flodesk as an option. If you want something specific or perfectly branded, a custom page can be an amazing option! This option lets you design a page that truly reflects your brand, with links to all your important resources. It’s a great choice if you already have a website and are comfortable with—or willing to hire help for—the technical setup. You’ll have full creative freedom, and you won’t need to rely on third-party services.
The Catch
The downside? It’s more time-consuming and requires a bit of technical know-how that you might have to spend time learning. Unlike Flodesk or Beacons, which offer easy-to-use templates with built-in email integration, a custom-built page needs more setup, and you’ll have to maintain it yourself. Since the goal here is to optimize your marketing strategies, you may also need extra tools like Google Analytics or a CRM system to track performance and optimize conversions. While it gives you total control, it’s not the quickest or most time-efficient option, especially if you’re just getting started and need to focus on growing your business.
Quick Tip
If you go this route, keep your landing page simple and focused. Prioritize key actions (like joining your email list) and make it easy for visitors to navigate. Also, make sure it’s mobile-friendly—most of your traffic will likely come from Instagram on a phone and you want to make sure people can smoothly click ‘yes’ on joining your list and tapping your links!
Related: Are TONIC Site Shop Website and Social Media Templates Really Worth the Price?
How to Optimize Your Landing Page to Grow Your Email List
We’re zooming out here to remember the ultimate goal: optimizing what you can on your Instagram bio section to get people on your email list! So, pick a platform and let’s roll up our sleeves and make sure it’s ready to turn your visitors into subscribers! Ready to make your page work its magic? Here are some quick, key strategies to guide you through making sure you’ve created the most enticing, optimized funnel with every piece of it in the right place:
1. Clear and Compelling Call-to-Action (CTA)
- Make your CTA pop: Your CTA is the star of the show—it’s what gets people to take action! Use punchy, action-driven words like “Join Now,” “Get Your Free Guide,” or “Subscribe for Updates.” Keep it simple and make sure it stands out with bold colors and easy-to-read fonts.
- Create a sense of urgency: Give your visitors a little nudge to act now! Phrases like “Limited-Time Offer” or “Sign Up Now for Instant Access” can create that “gotta-have-it” feeling and boost your conversions.
2. Offer a Valuable Incentive
- Create a lead magnet they can’t resist: People love free stuff! Give them something of value that’ll make them want to hit that subscribe button. Whether it’s an exclusive download, a killer freebie, or early access to a special offer, make sure it’s something your audience can’t live without. Think free checklists, webinars, downloadable guides, or even a mini-course.
- Show them the payoff: Be crystal clear on what they’ll get when they subscribe. Let them know how it solves their problems, makes their workflow easier, or helps them crush their goals. Try something like, “Get the ultimate guide to growing your email list” or “Discover how to create content that actually converts!”
Related: How to Quickly Grow Your Email List with an Online Quiz
3. Keep Your Sign-Up Form Simple
- Less is more: Keep your sign-up form short and sweet! The fewer hoops people have to jump through, the more likely they’ll subscribe. Start with just an email address to keep things easy-breezy since that’s likely the only thing you need anyway!
- Make it mobile-friendly: Most folks aren’t using the desktop version of Instagram, so make sure your form is easy and optimized to fill out on mobile devices. Test it out on different screen sizes to ensure it looks great and works smoothly, whether they’re on an iPhone or Android. You may never hear how smooth your mobile user interface is, but you WILL hear about it if its not easy to use! So, tackle that before you have to fix it down the road!
4. Use Social Proof to Drop Some Credibility
- Let others do the talking: Got a rave review or a glowing testimonial? Pop it on your landing page! Just one can make all the difference. Add a quick quote from a happy subscriber or a shoutout from a reputable brand to add some instant credibility. If you’ve been featured somewhere fancy, slap that logo on there too—it’s the humble brag your page deserves.
- Show off your squad: If your social media following is thriving, flaunt those numbers, especially if you’ve got incredible numbers elsewhere, like TikTok, YouTube, Podcast downloads, or even blog visitors! Whether it’s 10k followers or a highly engaged community, this is your chance to show visitors, “Hey, people already trust me—you can, too!”
Related: How to Convert Your Instagram Followers Into Email Subscribers
5. Design with Your Brand in Mind
- Design It Like Yourself: Your landing page should feel like you! Use your brand’s colors, fonts, and style so visitors instantly know they’re in the right place. When the landing page feels to different, people can subconsciously feel like they’re in the wrong place. When your link page feels like “home,” people are more likely to stick around (and sign up!).
- Less is more: Don’t overdo it with a million elements fighting for attention. Keep your link page clean and focused—highlight your offer, your CTA, and maybe a short, sweet explanation of why it’s worth signing up. A simple, sleek design makes it easier for visitors to navigate and say yes to joining your list!
6. Leverage the Power of Thank You Pages
- Roll out the red carpet: When someone subscribes, don’t leave them hanging—send them to a thank you page that feels thoughtful! This also helps someone know their submission went through and it’s an extra touch that adds to that great first impression. Use it to share a personalized message, point them to your top resources, or even offer a sweet exclusive just for signing up. It’s your chance to keep the good vibes rolling and show them what makes your business special.
7. Don’t Forget to Track Your Results
- Play the experiment game: Want to know what is really working with your audience? Run A/B split tests on your landing page! This essentially means created two different versions of your link page and splitting them between two segments of your audience. Try tweaking your headline, testing a new call-to-action, or shortening your form. Sometimes, even the tiniest change—like switching “Sign Up” to “Get Started Now!”—can skyrocket conversions. Think of it as your chance to be a scientist (minus the lab coat).
Let the data do the talking: Platforms like Flodesk and Beacons give you the inside scoop on how your page is performing. Dive into metrics like conversion rates, bounce rates, and CTA clicks to see what’s working (and what’s not). It’s like having a treasure map to guide you toward a more optimized and effective landing page.
Your Instagram Bio, Your Power Move
Optimizing your Instagram bio doesn’t have to feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded—promise! It’s really about making small tweaks that pack a big punch. Trust me, I’ve been there, staring at my bio, wondering how the heck I can capture who I am and what I do in such a limited space?! The truth is, it really is the little things—like a thoughtfully designed link page—that can make your entire funnel work smarter, not harder.
Whether you’re swooning over Flodesk (truthfully my go-to for a lot of easy optimization tools), loving Beacons for its super-fast flexibility, or using your technical skills to tackle a custom landing page with a little grit and caffeine, remember this: clarity beats complexity every time.
Your audience doesn’t need all the bells and whistles—they just want to know exactly what they’ll get when they click. A splash of your personality, a sprinkle of value, and a clear call-to-action are all you need to turn your bio into a business-boosting powerhouse. Simple, actionable, and totally doable—that’s the magic!
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