A number of online creators and influencers have adopted mobile-optimized "link in bio" websites, such as Linktree, to direct their fans to their social profiles or other content they wish to promote. Today, live streaming software company Streamlabs has launched their product in this market with its new mobile website builder Willow. His tool differs from the others in this space by integrating a flip function directly on the landing page.
"Link in bio" websites have grown in popularity because social platforms like TikTok and Instagram allow users to submit only one main URL on user profiles. But online creators and influencers are often featured on multiple sites that they want their fans to know about. This is where these custom websites come into play.
Like most "link in bio" website builders, Willow offers an easy way to add a link list to a personalized, mobile-optimized webpage.
The product itself is pretty basic compared to those offered by new startups, like Beacon, for example, which allows users to add links for donations, affiliate purchases, paid downloads, and more. In Willow's case, you simply enter a URL and it appears on your website. You can also choose from a handful of colorful designs, each with their own style and character.
The online website builder lets you view your site in progress as you add links or update the design, and you can preview how it looks on mobile, tablet, and desktop by clicking a button.
But Willow's coolest feature is the ability to add tips to your website.
To do this, you just need to activate the Suggestions feature from the website builder interface and then link your PayPal account to Willow. This places a "Dona!" at the top of the link list to encourage fans to leave a suggestion.
This feature will be the strong point of the new website builder, as creators today who receive suggestions through social and streaming platforms often have to share the revenue from those transactions with the platform itself. Referrals via PayPal will be a more direct form of payment between fans and creators, beyond any applicable PayPal fees.
Streamlabs tells us he doesn't keep any of the tip money - it all goes to the creator.
However, he plans to monetize the new product in a different way soon. In a few weeks, the company will be introducing a paid version for $ 5 a month that will include advanced analytics like click-through rates and which days will see the most clicks and views. The pro version will also include more custom themes.
Since Willow was only launched today, it doesn't have a large number of users right now. However, a top streamer FaZe Mew has already signed up, according to the short Willow link (wlo.link) found in her various social media biographies.
"Our experience in creating tools for live streamers has inspired us to create products that cater to the broader ecosystem of content creators," said George Kurdin, Streamlabs GM. "To fulfill this mission and grow our business, we are building products that appeal to more brands, companies and individuals," he said.
