If you've ever told someone "check the link in my bio," you've probably already thought about setting up a Linktree page. It's become the default move for creators who want to share multiple links from a single Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube bio. But here's the thing — knowing how to make a Linktree page is just the starting point. The real question is whether Linktree is actually the best tool for what you're trying to build. In this guide, we'll walk you through the full setup process, break down what Linktree can and can't do, and show you why a growing number of creators are ditching it for platforms designed specifically around creator monetization.
What Is a Linktree Page and Why Do Creators Use It?
A Linktree page is a simple landing page that lives at a single URL. Instead of cramming one link into your bio and constantly swapping it out, you point followers to your Linktree URL and list everything there — your latest YouTube video, your online course, your merch store, your newsletter signup, whatever you want people to click on.
The appeal is obvious. Social platforms like Instagram and TikTok only give you one bio link. Linktree solves that limitation quickly and with almost no technical skill required. For creators just getting started, that accessibility is a genuine advantage.
But as your creator business grows, a basic list of links starts to feel limiting. You're not just sharing links anymore — you're selling digital products, promoting brand deals, growing an email list, booking coaching calls, and building a brand. That's where the gap between a simple link page and a proper creator link-in-bio tool starts to matter.
How to Make a Linktree Page: Step-by-Step
Let's get the practical part out of the way first. Here's exactly how to set up a Linktree page from scratch.
Step 1: Create a Linktree Account
Go to linktr.ee and click "Sign up free." You can register with an email address or connect directly with your Facebook account. Choose a username that matches your brand or social handle — this becomes part of your public URL (e.g., linktr.ee/yourname), so keep it consistent with how people already know you online.
Step 2: Choose a Plan
Linktree has a free tier, but it's worth knowing what you're giving up. The free plan limits your customisation options, removes analytics depth, and keeps Linktree branding on your page. Paid plans (Starter, Pro, and Premium) unlock custom backgrounds, email list integrations, link scheduling, priority support, and more detailed click analytics.
For creators serious about creator monetization, the free plan often falls short fairly quickly.
Step 3: Add Your Links
Once inside the dashboard, click "Add link" and start building your list. You can add standard URL links, header text to organise sections, video embeds, and music links depending on your plan. Each link gets a title and a URL — keep your titles action-oriented and clear, like "Watch my latest video" or "Download my free guide."
Step 4: Customise Your Page Design
This is where free vs. paid starts to show. On free, you get a small selection of themes and basic colour options. On paid plans, you can upload a custom background image, change button styles, adjust fonts, and add your profile photo. The goal here is brand consistency — your Linktree page should feel like a natural extension of your Instagram grid or YouTube channel art.
Step 5: Connect Integrations
Linktree supports connections with platforms like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and a few payment tools. If growing an email list as a creator is a priority, you can add an email capture block to your page. This is one of the more useful features, though the depth of integration depends on your plan.
Step 6: Publish and Add the URL to Your Bio
Once you're happy with the setup, copy your Linktree URL and paste it into the bio section of every platform you use — Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, YouTube, Pinterest, wherever your audience lives. That single URL now routes people to everything you want them to see.
Linktree Limitations Creators Hit Quickly
Setting up a Linktree page takes about ten minutes. But actually growing a creator business on top of it? That's where things get complicated. Here are the real limitations that tend to frustrate creators once they move past the basics.
Branding Is Still Someone Else's
Even on paid plans, your Linktree page still lives on Linktree's domain. You're sending your followers to linktr.ee/you, not yourname.com. For creators building a brand, that's a subtle but real credibility issue. Custom domain support exists on the Premium tier, but it comes at a higher price point specifically for a feature that many alternatives include by default.
Monetization Is Bolted On, Not Built In
Linktree wasn't originally designed as a creator monetization platform — it was designed to be a simple link list. Features like selling digital downloads or taking payments were added later, and they show it. If you're selling online courses, digital products, or coaching packages, you're usually better served by a platform where commerce is a core feature, not an afterthought.
Analytics Lack Depth
Knowing how many people clicked a link is useful. Knowing which links drive the most revenue, which traffic sources convert best, and how your link page performance trends over time is what actually helps you grow. Linktree's analytics, even on paid plans, don't go particularly deep compared to tools built with creator data in mind.
No Media Kit or Sponsor-Facing Features
If you're pursuing brand deals and sponsorships, your link-in-bio page should be doing double duty — impressing potential brand partners as well as your audience. Linktree doesn't offer anything resembling a media kit or professional creator profile that you could point a brand manager toward.
Limited Email List Building
Email is still the most valuable asset a creator can own. Your social following can disappear overnight if a platform changes its algorithm or shuts down. Your email list is yours forever. Linktree's email capture options are basic, and the integrations with major email platforms aren't as seamless as they should be for creators making email growth a priority.
What Creators Actually Need From a Link-in-Bio Tool
Once you've outgrown a basic link list, here's what a proper creator link-in-bio tool should be doing for you:
- Sell directly from the page — digital downloads, online courses, coaching sessions, or merchandise without routing people through three different platforms first
- Capture email addresses with real integrations to tools like ConvertKit, Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign
- Display a media kit so brand partners can see your stats, audience demographics, and past collaborations without you having to send a separate PDF every time
- Custom domain support so your link page lives at your own URL and strengthens your brand rather than someone else's
- Deep analytics that show you not just clicks but conversion behaviour and revenue attribution
- Professional design that matches your brand without coding skills
- Invoicing or payment handling — especially useful for coaches and consultants who bill clients directly through their online presence
This is the shift that's driving creators away from Linktree and toward platforms purpose-built for the creator economy.
Linktree Alternatives Worth Knowing About
The creator economy tools space has grown significantly over the last few years. Here's an honest look at the main alternatives and what makes each one different.
Beacons
Beacons positions itself strongly as a creator-first platform. It includes a link page, a store for selling digital products, a media kit builder, and an invoicing tool — all in one. The free tier is reasonably generous. Where it gets complex is the sheer number of features, which can feel overwhelming if you just want a clean, professional link page without a steep learning curve.
Stan Store
Stan is popular with coaches and course creators because it integrates a digital product storefront directly into the link page. You can sell digital downloads, courses, and bookings without needing a separate website. The trade-off is that it's transaction-focused by design — if you want a link page that also handles monetization, Stan is strong, but pure link management and page design flexibility are more limited.
Later's Linkin.bio
Later's Linkin.bio is specifically built for Instagram automation and social media growth, turning your Instagram feed into a shoppable link page. It's excellent if Instagram is your primary platform, but it's not a general-purpose creator tool — and it's primarily a feature inside Later's broader social scheduling product rather than a standalone creator platform.
Milkshake
Milkshake is a mobile-first app for building link pages that look more like mini websites. It's visually strong and easy to use, but it skews toward personal brand pages rather than monetization-focused creator setups. Analytics and integrations are lighter than other options.
Linkrr
Linkrr is built specifically for creators who are monetizing their online presence — not just sharing links. It combines a customisable link-in-bio page with creator-specific features including digital product selling, media kit creation, email list building integrations, and professional invoicing. It's designed for the creator who's treating their online presence like a business, not a hobby. More on this at the end of the article.
Making the Switch: What to Keep in Mind
If you've been using Linktree for a while and you're considering switching to an alternative, here are a few practical things to think through before you make the move.
Update Your Bio Links Everywhere
You likely have your Linktree URL in multiple places — Instagram bio, TikTok bio, YouTube about section, Twitter/X bio, email signature, and possibly past content where you've told people to "check the link in my bio." When you switch, you'll need to update all of these. Make a list before you start so nothing gets missed.
Recreate Your Link Structure Thoughtfully
Don't just copy your existing Linktree setup over to a new platform. Use the migration as an opportunity to audit what you've been linking to. Which links have actually been getting clicks? Which ones are outdated? Which ones represent your most important revenue streams? Prioritise your highest-value content and offers at the top of your new page.
Set Up Analytics From Day One
One of the best reasons to switch to a more capable platform is access to better data. Make sure you configure your analytics properly from the moment your new page goes live so you have clean data to work with going forward. If the platform supports UTM parameters or custom tracking, use them.
Tell Your Audience
If you have a loyal following, a short story or post letting people know you've updated your link page is worth doing — especially if your new page looks significantly different or has new features like a store or booking system. Frame it as an upgrade, not just a change, and give people a reason to visit.
Test Everything Before Going Live
Click every single link. Test your email opt-in form. Try buying a product if you have one listed. Do this on both desktop and mobile, because link-in-bio pages are almost always visited primarily on mobile devices and the experience needs to be smooth on a small screen.
Quick Tips for a High-Converting Link Page (Regardless of Platform)
Whether you stick with Linktree or move to something else, these principles will help you get more out of your link-in-bio page:
- Lead with your most important link. Most visitors won't scroll far. Put your highest-priority offer or content at the very top — usually your latest content, your primary product, or your email list signup.
- Use action verbs in link titles. "Download my free guide" converts better than "Free guide." "Watch this week's video" performs better than "YouTube." Clarity and action drive clicks.
- Keep it focused. More links do not mean more clicks. In fact, too many choices cause decision paralysis. Aim for five to seven well-chosen links rather than an overwhelming list of twenty.
- Refresh it regularly. Your link page should reflect what's current — your latest video, your active promotion, your newest product. A stale page with outdated links signals to visitors that you're not active.
- Match your visual brand. Your link page should look like it belongs to the same creator as your Instagram grid or YouTube channel. Consistent colours, fonts, and imagery build trust and recognition.
- Include a way to join your email list. Every link page should have an email capture option. Social algorithms change. Email lists don't disappear.
Conclusion: Your Link Page Should Work as Hard as You Do
Knowing how to make a Linktree page is genuinely useful — it's a quick solution that gets something live fast. But if you're a creator who takes your online income seriously, your link-in-bio page shouldn't just be a list of links. It should be a sales tool, a brand asset, a lead generation machine, and a professional first impression all at once.
The creators switching away from Linktree aren't doing it because Linktree is bad at what it does. They're doing it because what they need has grown beyond what Linktree was built to offer. When you're managing brand partnerships, selling digital products, building an email list, and trying to look professional to potential sponsors — you need a platform built for exactly that use case.
That's exactly what Linkrr was built for. Linkrr gives creators a fully customisable link-in-bio page, built-in tools for selling digital products and courses, a media kit builder for landing brand deals, email list integrations, and invoicing — all designed specifically for creators who monetize their online presence. If you're ready to upgrade from a basic link page to a proper creator platform, try Linkrr free and see what your link-in-bio page can actually do for your business.
