People spend an average of 2.5 hours per day scrolling on social media. This is why these networking platforms have become powerful tools for business. Social media is especially great for capturing consumers’ attention and building engagement.
Instagram, which has over 2 billion active users, is the third most-used social network alongside Facebook and YouTube. Of the world’s 5.4 billion active users 37.04% actively use the platform, with users spending an average of 33.9 minutes a day on the platform.
In this article, we’ll show you how to leverage Instagram for your brand, boost your following, and how you can turn those followers into website visitors through the “Link in bio” feature.
Why your brand needs an Instagram profile
Instagram’s huge user base and visual-first design make it a must for brand visibility. It’s perfect for driving sales with shoppable posts and building partnerships with influencers. Plus, it lets you engage directly with your audience. Through stories, reels, and other content, you can boost brand awareness and drive conversions.
But engagement starts with building a following. Growing your Instagram account takes a smart mix of strategy and consistent effort. Here’s how you can start:
- Optimize your profile. Your profile might not be what they first see, but it’s where they go when they’re interested in following you. Still, it’s best to leave a lasting impression, so ensure your bio is clear. Include a call to action and a link to your website.
- Use hashtags wisely. Hashtags help people discover your content. Use a balance of trending and niche-specific hashtags to increase your reach.
- Post regularly. Consistency is key to engagement. Stick to a posting schedule and experiment with Stories, Reels, and carousels to keep your feed fresh.
- Engage with your audience. Interact with followers by responding to comments and DMs. Engaging with others in your niche helps boost visibility.
- Collaborate with influencers. Partnering with influencers or brands that share your values expands your reach to their followers, attracting a new audience.
- Create high-quality visuals. Visual content is the core of Instagram, so invest in high-quality, on-brand images and videos to grab attention and build credibility.
Why your Instagram bio matters
Your Instagram bio is the first thing visitors notice when they land on your Instagram profile. It’s your chance to communicate who you are and what you offer in just a few lines. A strong bio not only tells users about your brand, but also encourages them to act—whether that’s following you or clicking the link you’ve added.
With the right Instagram bio, you can drive traffic to your site, increase engagement, and build your business or brand’s presence beyond Instagram. Here are a few things to consider when creating a strong Instagram bio:
- Create a clear and concise description. Keep your bio straightforward and reflective of your brand. In just a few words, describe what you do and what makes you unique. Whether you’re a business, influencer, or creator, your bio should immediately communicate your value to new visitors.
- Optimize your “Link in Bio”. The “Link in bio” is one of the few places on Instagram where you can share a clickable link, so use this space strategically. If you’re already a Web.com customer, consider using MyLinks, which allows you to centralize multiple links into one. By adding a single MyLinks URL to your bio, followers are directed to a customizable landing page with all your key links—whether it’s your website, latest product, blog post, or social channels. If you’re not a Web.com customer yet, you can leverage other link tools like Bitly or Linktree.
- Add a personal touch. Make your bio memorable by adding a personal touch. Emojis, for instance, can break up text and make your profile more visually appealing, but use them sparingly to keep it readable and professional.
Why add a link in bio to your Instagram
Adding a link to your bio is a powerful way to direct followers to your website, store, or blog. Think of it as your digital calling card—an easy way for your audience to explore more of what you have to offer. By using this space wisely, you can lead them to special promotions, exciting new products, or valuable content that truly resonates with them.
How to add link to Instagram bio
Here’s how you can add links to your Instagram bio:
- Open the Instagram app on your mobile device. Tap your profile picture at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Tap on Edit Profile
- Tap on Add links.
- Tap Add external link.
- Add the URL of your website and a compelling title.
Here are some title options you can use to engage your audience:
- Shop now
- Learn more
- Read the Full Story
- Check it Out
- Get Started
- Explore More
- Discover
- Tap Done in the top-right corner, and you’re all set!
What if you don’t have the Instagram app?
Currently, adding a link to the website field in your bio is only possible through the Instagram app, as this feature is designed for its mobile-first design. Since most users access Instagram via the mobile app, it seamlessly allows you to integrate your brand and guide followers to your site on the go.
Why you need a branded domain for “Link in Bio”
Having a well-thought-out, branded domain carries a lot more weight than most websites using random, unrecognizable links. When people see your brand name right in the link, it instantly boosts your site credibility and trust. A generic link like bit.ly/xyz just doesn’t have the same impact as YourBrand.com.
While Instagram makes it easy to add a link, you still want people to recognize your brand when they see it. A branded link strengthens your Instagram bio and makes posts with it look more polished and professional.
Here’s why a branded domain makes a difference:
- Consistent branding across platforms. A branded link keeps your identity consistent across Instagram, Twitter, and your website, which is essential for reinforcing your brand and building recognition.
- Professionalism and credibility. Using a custom domain not only elevates the professionalism of your profile but also enhances your credibility. It shows your audience that you take your brand seriously, which helps build trust with your followers. Plus, it looks far better than random shortened links!
- More control over the user experience. With your own domain, you control where followers land, whether it’s a single page or multiple links through a service like MyLinks.
How MyLinks optimizes your links for better user experience
While Instagram now lets you add multiple links, most users are browsing on mobile, where screen space can be limited. Too many links can make it tricky to tap the right one, which can lead to frustration and a less-than-great experience. Plus, if followers have to keep returning to your profile for more links, they might get distracted by other posts—and we don’t want that!
MyLinks lets you add multiple links into a single, clickable URL. When followers click the MyLinks link in your Instagram bio, they’re taken to a landing page with all your links housed. It’s simple, user-friendly, and keeps your branding consistent.
Why use MyLinks?
- Easy to manage. You can add or remove more links as needed, keeping everything up to date.
- Keeps your brand front and center. Instead of sending followers to random URLs, MyLinks lets you maintain a professional, trustworthy appeal with your brand name featured in the URL.
- Great for businesses and creators. Whether you’re running a shop, sharing content, or promoting multiple channels, MyLinks gives you the flexibility to do it all from one link.
To get started with MyLinks, you have to be an existing Web.com customer. You can reach out to your Web.com account manager, and they’ll help you add it to your existing eCommerce package and guide you through setting up a MyLinks page.
Get the most out of your bio with MyLinks
Adding multiple links to your bio opens up new possibilities, but that precious space is still limited. Imagine having a central location for all your essential links, from your website to your latest blog post to your killer YouTube channel.
With Web.com’s MyLinks tool, you can keep your Instagram bio clean and focused, while giving your followers easy access to everything they might be interested in. Pair it with a branded domain, and you’ll add an extra layer of professionalism that makes it even easier for your followers to recognize and trust your brand.
