Take a look at any popular website, and you'll likely see links to their Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) prominently displayed at the top of the site. It has become such a common convention, that it almost seems like something is missing if you don't see these at the top of a page. You might think, "is this site even real if they don't have a Facebook/Instagram/X page that I can click on"? But I am here to tell you why this is actually a bad idea.

You might take it for granted that once someone is on your site, they'll stick around to see what it's all about. But remember, you're not competing for the attention of people who were already planning to visit and potentially become customers. Real growth comes from capturing the attention of those who stumble upon your site unexpectedly. When this happens, it's absolutely critical to hold their attention and keep them engaged with your content for as long as possible.

Prominent social media links on your homepage act as an immediate exit ramp. By clicking on them, potential customers enter a space where you're now competing with countless other creators vying for your audience's attention. A single notification or enticing post can lead them away from your site, and they will likely forget they ever visited in the first place.

Think of your website as your home court advantage. Once you've drawn visitors in, you want to keep them engaged with your content and message for as long as possible. Adding social media links is like inviting a distraction into the room. It may be true that some people prefer getting their information from an SNS and end up engaging that way, but I would always prefer to keep users on my site where I can control the quantity and presentation of the information my audience is exposed to.

Your website is a focused representation of your brand, your products, and your services. It's the place where you control the narrative and guide the user experience. Don't dilute that experience by offering escape routes to platforms where you have less control and more competition for attention. If people want to find your social media, they will. But make your website so compelling that they won't want to leave in the first place.