Do I need a website if I already have Instagram?
By Jemma, BHSc (Western Herbal Medicine), founder of Peppeddev
Published · Updated
Some practitioners run their whole practice from Instagram and a Linktree, and it can work for a while. But Instagram and a website do different jobs. Relying on one to do both can lose people between "that looks interesting" and "booked".
What Instagram is good at
Instagram helps people discover you, see your personality and approach, and build trust over time. If you enjoy creating content, it's a useful tool for being seen.
Where Instagram falls short
- Search. When someone searches "naturopath near me" or "nutritionist for gut health", the results are mostly websites and business listings, not Instagram posts.
- Clarity. What you treat, what a consult involves, what it costs and how to book end up spread across highlights, captions and DMs.
- Control. Your account and your reach depend on a platform that can change its rules at any time. A website on your own domain belongs to you.
- Credibility with referrers. A GP, another practitioner or a cautious new client often wants to check you out somewhere that looks like an established business.
What a website does that Instagram can't
- Appears in search results when people look for what you do
- Puts your services, prices and qualifications in one clear place
- Keeps a booking button one tap away on every page
- Gives you a professional link for your business card, email signature and association listing
The best setup: use both
Use Instagram to be seen and your website to be booked. Link your website in your Instagram bio, and link your Instagram from your website.
Start with five pages
You don't need a large site. Five pages covers it: Home, About, Services, FAQ, and Contact & Book. (Here's what to put on each one.)
Frequently asked questions
Is a Linktree enough instead of a website?
A Linktree points people to other places, but it doesn't explain who you help, show your qualifications or appear in search results the way a website does.
Will a website help me get found on Google?
A website gives Google something to show. Clear page titles, a description of what you do and where, and pages for each of your services all help people find you.
Do I need to post on Instagram if I have a website?
No. Some practitioners lean on one more than the other. A website works without social media, and social media works better with a website behind it.
Want it done for you? Peppeddev builds those five pages on one of three ready-made designs, for $695, live in about a fortnight.