What a Link Tree is and why you might use one
A Link Tree is a single landing page that holds multiple clickable links — usually to your social media accounts, website, online store, or other destinations. When you share that one URL instead of five different ones, people land on a page with all your links organized in one place. You control what appears, in what order, and how it looks.
The main reason to use one: social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok let you put only a single URL in your profile. A Link Tree solves that problem. Instead of choosing between linking to your YouTube channel or your shop, you link to your Link Tree, and visitors see both.
You can build a Link Tree using a dedicated service like Linktree or Beacons, or you can build one yourself using a website builder or a simple HTML page. Each approach has different costs and requires different skills.
Key Takeaways
- A Link Tree is a single landing page that displays multiple links, solving the problem of social media profiles that allow only one URL.
- Dedicated Link Tree services like Linktree and Beacons handle hosting and design but charge monthly fees for advanced features.
- You can build your own Link Tree using website builders like Wix or Squarespace, or by writing basic HTML if you have the technical knowledge.
- A custom-built Link Tree costs nothing monthly but requires you to maintain the page and handle your own hosting.
- The choice depends on whether you want simplicity and design templates (paid services) or full control and no monthly cost (self-built).
Using a dedicated Link Tree service
Services like Linktree, Beacons, and Stan Store let you create a Link Tree without writing code. You sign up, add your links, choose a design template, and get a URL to share. The page is hosted on their servers, so you do not need to manage hosting yourself.
Linktree's free plan lets you add up to five links and choose from basic templates. Paid plans start around $5 to $12 per month and add features like custom domains, analytics, and more design control. Beacons offers a free tier as well, with paid plans starting lower but with fewer features at each tier.
The trade-off is straightforward: you pay a monthly fee, but the service handles everything — hosting, design updates, mobile responsiveness, and analytics that show how many people clicked each link. If you change your mind about a link or want to reorder them, you edit the page in their dashboard and the changes go live immediately.
Building your own Link Tree with a website builder
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and Carrd let you create a Link Tree as a single-page site. You do not need to code. You add text, buttons, and links using a drag-and-drop editor, and the builder handles hosting and mobile design for you.
Carrd is the cheapest option — a one-page site costs $19 per year. Wix and Squarespace charge monthly (usually $10 to $20 per month for a basic plan). Webflow's free tier includes hosting one site, but paid plans start at $12 per month.
The advantage over a dedicated Link Tree service is that you own the site and can add more than just links later — you can add text, images, a contact form, or a sign-up box. The disadvantage is that you are paying for a full website builder when you only need a landing page, so you are paying for features you may not use.
Building your own Link Tree with HTML
If you know HTML and CSS, or are willing to learn, you can write a Link Tree yourself and host it on a free service like GitHub Pages or Netlify. This costs nothing per month and gives you complete control over the design and functionality.
The basic structure is simple: an HTML file with a list of links styled with CSS to look like buttons. You can add colors, images, fonts, and animations. You upload the file to your hosting service, and it is live at a URL you can share.
The trade-off is time and technical knowledge. You have to write and maintain the code yourself. If you want to change a link or update the design, you edit the code and re-upload the file. If something breaks, you fix it. This approach works well if you are comfortable with code or want to learn, but it is not practical if you want a quick, no-maintenance solution.
Comparing the three approaches
| Approach | Monthly Cost | Setup Time | Design Control | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated service (Linktree, Beacons) | Free to $12/month | 5 minutes | Templates, limited customization | None — service handles it |
| Website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Carrd) | $0 to $20/month | 15 to 30 minutes | High — drag-and-drop editor | Minimal — builder handles hosting |
| Self-built HTML | $0/month | 1 to 3 hours | Complete — you write the code | You maintain the code and hosting |
How to set up a Link Tree with Linktree as an example
Go to linktree.com and click the sign-up button. Enter your email and password, then choose a username — this becomes part of your Link Tree URL (for example, linktree.com/yourname). You can change this later.
On the dashboard, click "Add Link" and enter the URL you want to link to, plus a label (the text that appears on the button). Add as many links as you need. Drag them to reorder. Choose a template and color scheme from the design options. Your Link Tree is now live at your unique URL.
Copy that URL and paste it into your Instagram bio, TikTok profile, or anywhere else you want to share it. When someone clicks it, they see all your links on one page. If you want to change a link later, edit it in the dashboard and it updates immediately.
Choosing between the options
Pick a dedicated service if you want the fastest setup and do not want to think about hosting or maintenance. You pay a small monthly fee, but the service handles everything. This is the right choice for most people.
Pick a website builder if you want more design control or think you might add more content later (like a bio, photos, or a contact form). You still do not have to code, and the builder handles hosting. The monthly cost is slightly higher, but you get a more flexible tool.
Pick the self-built HTML route only if you already know how to code or want to learn, and you want to avoid monthly fees. Be honest about whether you will actually maintain it — a broken Link Tree is worse than no Link Tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a custom domain name instead of linktree.com/myname?
Yes, but it costs extra. Linktree's paid plans let you use your own domain (like links.mysite.com). Website builders and self-hosted HTML also support custom domains. Dedicated Link Tree services usually charge $5 to $10 per month extra for this feature.
What happens to my Link Tree if I stop paying?
With Linktree and similar services, your page stays live on the free plan if you downgrade — you just lose paid features like custom domains and analytics. If you use a website builder and stop paying, your site goes offline. Self-hosted HTML stays online as long as your hosting provider does not shut down.
Can I see how many people clicked each link?
Dedicated services like Linktree show click counts and basic analytics on paid plans. Website builders usually include basic analytics. Self-hosted HTML does not include analytics unless you add a third-party tool like Google Analytics yourself.
Is it better to use a Link Tree or just list all my links in my bio?
A Link Tree looks cleaner and is easier for people to use — they click one link and see all your destinations. Listing links in text form takes up space and is harder to click on a phone. A Link Tree is the better choice if you have more than two or three links to share.
Can I change my Link Tree URL later?
Yes. With Linktree and most website builders, you can change your username or domain in the settings. The old URL may stop working, so update it everywhere you have shared it. If you use a custom domain, you can point it to a new Link Tree service without losing the URL.