“You Don’t Need a New Website, Just More Instagram Posts”… and Other Myths That Hurt Your Growth
- Krystal Nagy
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
Let’s be honest: Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok feel like the heartbeat of most small businesses these days. You’re posting behind-the-scenes clips, announcing new offers, and connecting with your community — and it works, right? You get likes, DMs, maybe even the occasional “How much is this?” comment. It’s easy to assume that IG is where all your leads are coming from.
But here’s the thing I see time and time again with my own clients: just because Instagram feels busy doesn’t mean it’s driving most of your actual business.
And that assumption? It’s one of the biggest myths holding small and medium-sized business owners back from getting serious about their websites.
In this blog:
Here’s What the Data Says
When we pop open Google Analytics for clients who are active on Instagram, we almost always find the same thing:
Instagram brings some traffic, but organic search and direct traffic do way more heavy lifting.
Let me break that down for you:
In most cases, organic traffic (from search engines like Google) makes up 50–70% of total website traffic.
Instagram? Typically less than 15%.
Even when Instagram does drive clicks, those visitors are more likely to browse briefly — and bounce.
Why? Because Instagram is a scroll-heavy, distraction-filled space. People might click out of curiosity, but they’re not always in decision-making mode. They’re just checking you out.
Your website, on the other hand, is where people go to learn, build trust, and take action.
IG Is a Great Tool — But It’s Not Your Website
Let’s say someone hears about you from a friend, or sees your reel while doom-scrolling on a Sunday night. Great! That’s a warm lead. But here’s what happens next:
They Google you. They land on your website. They decide whether or not to reach out.
In other words, your website still does the heavy lifting when it comes to closing the sale.
This is especially true for service-based businesses, like coaches, consultants, therapists, stylists, and trades. People want to know:
What do you offer?
How much does it cost?
What’s your process?
Do you seem like someone they can trust?
And that kind of clarity is nearly impossible to deliver in a 90-second reel or a Canva carousel.
Real Talk: Instagram Can’t Do It All
Let’s break down what Instagram does well — and where it falls short.
InstagramYour WebsiteBuilds brand awarenessBuilds credibility + trustEntertains + engagesEducates + convertsGreat for top-of-funnelGreat for mid- to bottom-of-funnelLimited links + spaceFull control over content + SEOHighly visualHighly informative
You need both — but if you’ve been relying 90% on IG and 10% on your site, it’s time to rebalance.
What to Focus on Instead
If your gut tells you that “most of my traffic comes from Instagram,” here’s what to do instead of assuming:
1. Check Your Analytics
Open your Google Analytics (or set it up if you haven’t already!) and check:
Where your traffic is actually coming from
How long people from IG stay on your site
What pages they visit
You might be surprised.
2. Optimize Your IG Bio Link
Don’t just link to your homepage. Instead:
Link to a lead-generating landing page
Include a strong headline, CTA, and key info
Make it super mobile-friendly
If you're using a link-in-bio tool, consider switching to a custom page on your Wix site — it’s better for SEO and brand control.
3. Upgrade Your Website for Conversion
Make sure your website has:
Clear, benefit-driven copy (not just “Welcome to my site” fluff)
Visible buttons or links to book, buy, or inquire
Testimonials and real-life proof of your work
Optimized SEO tags so you can also be found on Google
4. Create Content That Lives Longer
Your Instagram content disappears in days (or hours, if we’re being honest). Your website content? It works for you 24/7.
Use your blog to:
Answer client questions
Highlight case studies or past wins
Improve your search rankings
Case Study: One Client’s Shift
One of my clients — let’s call her Sarah — swore up and down that Instagram was where all her clients came from. She was posting daily, getting great engagement, and had built up a solid following.
But she also hadn’t updated her website in two years.
When we finally dug into her analytics, we found:
65% of her bookings were coming from organic search
Visitors from Instagram stayed an average of 40 seconds
Visitors from Google stayed over 2 minutes and visited 3+ pages
Once we cleaned up her site, added stronger service pages, and optimized for her keywords, she saw a noticeable increase in qualified leads — even though she was posting less on IG.
Bottom Line: Balance Your Funnel
Instagram is a visibility tool.Your website is a trust-building and conversion tool.
One isn’t better than the other — they work best together. But if you’re pouring all your energy into reels and stories, and your website hasn’t been touched since 2021… it might be time to rethink your strategy.
Want Help Reviewing Your Funnel?
If you’re not sure where your leads are actually coming from, or if your website is helping or hurting your conversions, I can help.
Book a free discovery call here and let’s talk about how to make your site work harder — without working more.
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