Link in bio vs a real website: which does your business need?
Link-in-bio pages like Linktree are free and quick. But a page of buttons isn't a website. Here's what each is good for, and when your business needs more than a list of links.
A link-in-bio page is fine for pointing people to your other profiles. If you want customers to understand what you do, trust you, and book you, a real website does that job much better.
Tools like Linktree give you one page with a stack of buttons: your Instagram, your TikTok, your shop, your WhatsApp. It's quick and usually free. But every button sends people somewhere else. A website is the place they actually land.
Side by side
| What you need | Link in bio | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Explains what you do | A line or two | Yes, in full |
| Prices, photos, reviews | Only as links elsewhere | On the page |
| Found on Google for your services | Rarely | Yes |
| Looks like your own business | Their branding and address | Your name and design |
| Works as your link in bio | Yes | Yes |
When a link-in-bio page is enough
- You're a creator and your goal is to send followers to your content.
- You only need to point people to other profiles or a shop that already exists.
- You don't take bookings or enquiries yet.
When you need a website
- You sell a service. Customers want to know what you offer, what it costs, and where you are before they message. Buttons don't answer that.
- You want to be found. People searching Google for "wedding DJ" or "lash tech near me" find websites. A page of links gives Google almost nothing to work with.
- You want to look established. A site with your own name, photos, and reviews looks like a business. A generic links page looks like a profile.
- You're tired of repeating yourself. A website answers the same questions you get in every DM.
The best of both: make your website your link in bio
You don't have to choose. A website can do everything a link-in-bio page does: add buttons for your Instagram, TikTok, music, or shop, and a big WhatsApp button to message you. Then put that one website link in every bio.
That's what Vann DJ did: one site with her mixes, upcoming gigs, and booking details, instead of a scattered set of links.
How to set it up from your phone
With Clawfront you describe your business in a WhatsApp chat, share the links you want on the page, and get a live website in minutes. Want to add a new link or change your prices later? Send another message. Here's how building a website on your phone works.
Still deciding whether you need a site at all? Read do you need a website if you have Instagram? Or see examples for side hustles, DJs, and beauty businesses. It's free for 7 days, then $4.99/month.
Frequently asked questions
Is a link-in-bio page the same as a website?
Not really. A link-in-bio page is a single page of buttons that send people somewhere else. A website explains your business itself: what you offer, your prices, your photos, and how to book.
Can a link-in-bio page show up on Google?
It can show up if someone searches your exact name, but a page of links gives Google very little to go on. It rarely shows up when people search for the kind of service you offer in your area.
Can my website be my link in bio?
Yes. Put your website link in your Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp bios. Your site can include buttons to your socials, music, or shop, so it does everything a link-in-bio page does and more.
Are link-in-bio pages free?
Most have a free plan with their branding and address, like linktr.ee/yourname. Clawfront is free for 7 days, then $4.99/month for a full website at yourname.clawfront.io.
Keep reading
How to get your business on Google (from your phone)
When people search for what you do, you want to show up. Here's how to get your business on Google Search and Maps for free, step by step, using just your phone.
Do you need a website if you have Instagram?
Instagram is great for showing your work to people who follow you. A website is what new customers find on Google and what makes you look established. Here's when you need both.
How to make a business website on your phone (no laptop needed)
You don't need a laptop to get your business online. Here are the three ways to build a website from your phone, what each is good for, and the fastest way to get a real site live today.
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