Some people think websites are outdated and have been overtaken by social media, but this isn’t necessarily true – while social media is great for content, websites are excellent central spaces that connect people to all your profiles. They’re also great for clubs, communities, businesses, personal brands, and services. 

Building a website has traditionally been expensive and convoluted, but it doesn’t have to be. Ask yourself whether you really need a site with 10 pages and lots of images. Most often, the answer is no. Instead, a single page (mini website) with all the relevant information for your visitors is perfect. 

These microsites are easy to design and cheap, with great free features. A new generation of mini-website services make it easy for anyone to create a town square for their online content and messages. 

Mini websites vs social media 

Social media is good for your brand, but it doesn’t give you control. Your content could be banned for some unknown reason, an algorithm change could bury your profile, or potential customers may not want to visit a particular social media site.  

You might use several social media platforms, plus other services. If someone wants to find out more about you and your services, where should they go? A website is the natural answer. You have full control, can provide links and information to all your different online profiles, and it’s easier for search engines to find your website.  

Mini websites vs regular websites 

You may be avoiding making a website because you know the downside. You need to design multiple pages, hunt down artwork, and keep the site updated. Yes, some website hosts have great design tools, but they charge a hefty monthly fee. So, making and running a regular website takes effort, time, and money. 

That’s why more and more small companies and individuals are using one-page mini websites they can easily design and control. They’re perfect for putting information, biographies, links to other platforms, portfolios, or online forms in one place. Their “cousin”, the Link-in-bio, is an even simpler way to put all your profile links in one place and a popular tool for social media influencers. 

Make your own mini website 

The great thing about mini-websites is their versatility. Introduce your business or brand to visitors, showcase your work as a portfolio, and perhaps even run an online store. They’re also excellent for short campaigns and online forms. A mini website makes your life easier without the hassle of building a larger website – or paying someone to do it. 

Mini websites have the same design studios as larger competitors, including templates and drag-and-drop tools. They offer great free tiers, and it’s inexpensive to unlock pro features, such as using your web domain or building additional sites. These services make having your own website a breeze. You can get started without spending a cent.  

Mini website services 

Curious to see what the fuss is about? Here are four services that provide mini or Link-in-bio websites: 

Carrd  

Carrd is the king of the mini-website world. Easily create a one-page site using its templates and intuitive design tools, suitable for PC and smartphone sites. The basic tier is free, and you can start building your one-page site immediately. If you decide to unlock the pro features, such as custom web domains, Carrd is very cheap – from less than US$1 (R17) per month. 

Strikingly  

You can create a single-page site using Strikingly’s templates and its excellent online designer. But this service also lets you add extra pages and more advanced features, such as an online store. It costs a bit more than Carrd but is still much cheaper than larger website hosts with design tools. The free tier is very decent and a good place to start.  

Linktree  

It’s a big favourite among social media users, and you can use it to create a one-stop list of important links to your various spots on the Internet. Linktree can point people to your online store, social media profiles and contact info. The templates and design tools enable you to make a stylish website, and Linktree embeds many popular services. It has a free tier to get you going. 

Bitly Link-in-bio  

The link-shortening service Bitly has launched a good alternative to Linktree called Link-in-bio. It has similar features, including templates, a good designer, and smartphone-friendly layouts. You can also add useful stuff like creating a QR code for your bio. For now, all Link-in-bio features are free. 

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