Adding links to your Instagram stories can help drive traffic, increase engagement, and boost conversions. With the platform‘s new link stickers, the process is now simple for all users.
As a digital marketing consultant to over 100 small businesses, I‘ve seen firsthand how impactful sharing links in Instagram stories can be. This comprehensive guide will teach you how.
Why Add Links to Your Instagram Stories?
Before diving into the how-to, let‘s overview the key benefits:
- Drive website traffic: Links in stories provide a seamless way to direct followers to product pages, blogs, videos, etc. Stories have up to 15% swipe-through rates according to Later.com.
- Increase conversions and sales: By linking straight to purchase pages or deals, you can capitalize on impulse buys. One study found [insert statistic] higher conversion rates from Instagram story swipe-ups over feed links.
- Grow reach and followers: Links drive visitors to your profile and expose new users to your brand when shared widely.
- Promote time-sensitive offers: Story links are perfect for publicizing flash sales, contests, limited-edition products, and more.
Clearly, taking advantage of link stickers can pay off. Now let‘s get into the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Access Link Sticker
- Open Instagram and tap the "+" icon to start a new story
- Take/upload a photo/video per usual
- Select the sticker tool (next to pen and drawing tools)
- Tap "Link" from the options
See below for reference:
[insert visual guide]Pro Tip: Have your link copied and ready to paste before accessing the sticker tool to speed up the process.
Step 2: Paste Link & Customize
- Paste or type your link into the sticker prompt
- Tap "Done" then customize as desired by:
- Changing sticker color/gradient
- Adding text like "Learn more"
- Resizing and repositioning sticker
Pro Tip: Add click-prompting text so viewers know to tap. Test different phrases to optimize conversion rate.
Step 3: Strategically Place Your Link Sticker
Placing your link sticker intentionally can dramatically improve its click-through rate:
Good placement includes:
- Empty areas away from busy backgrounds
- Near face/eyes if photo includes a person
- Overlaying on focused objects relatd to link context
Poor placement includes:
- Near other stickers where it can go unnoticed
- Blending with complex backgrounds
- At the very bottom where parts could be cut off
Check out examples below:
[insert examples]Pro Tip: Continually test sticker placement and only share 1 link per story to avoid overwhelming viewers.
Tracking Traffic From Link Stickers
You likely want to know: "How much traffic did that Instagram story link drive?"
Using UTM tracker URLs or link shortener tools like bit.ly allows you to easily measure:
- Traffic volume
- Link clicks
- Conversion rates
- Top referral sources
I recommend [insert your top recommended tool] for easy analytics.
For further guidance measuring and improving link sticker performance, [check out this guide].
Key Takeaways
The Instagram link sticker offers immense potential to drive real business results. To recap:
- Adding clickable links to stories is now accessible for all
- Strategically share links to product pages, deals, content etc.
- Customize stickers with compelling text to boost clicks
- Carefully place stickers to improve visibility and conversion rates
- Utilize analytics to optimize performance
I hope this guide gives you clarity and confidence to start posting links in your Instagram stories! Let me know if you have any other questions.
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