Your booking link is a door. The more doors you have in different places, the more clients can come in. Whoever only has the Instagram bio door is letting 60-70% of potential bookings not happen - clients who find you via Google, who receive a business card, who search on Facebook, who see QR code in the storefront.
The good news is that sharing isn't work - it's one-time setup at each place, then it works 24/7. 30 minutes today putting the link in all the right places will bring bookings for years. Here's the complete catalog.
The critical rule: direct link, not Linktree
The 10 strategic places
| Place | Priority | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Instagram bio | Critical | Direct link, 1 minute |
| 2. Google Business Profile | Critical | Booking field, 2 minutes |
| 3. WhatsApp Business auto-message | Critical | Auto-reply when someone writes, 3 minutes |
| 4. Facebook page (bio) | High | About > Website, 1 minute |
| 5. Instagram Stories (link sticker) | High | Each portfolio story, 30 seconds |
| 6. TikTok bio | Medium (if you have account) | Link in bio, 1 minute |
| 7. Email auto-responder | Medium | Footer with 'Book here', 5 minutes |
| 8. Business card (QR code) | High in physical | Printed QR code, 10 minutes |
| 9. Physical storefront (QR code) | High in physical | Large QR code, 5 minutes |
| 10. Own site/blog if you have | Medium | Book button on multiple pages |
1. Instagram bio (the #1 door)
Over 60% of new clients via social media come through Instagram. The bio is the only clickable field - you have one shot to put the right link.
Go to Edit Profile on Instagram
Website field (in the app, in the bio edit form).
Paste the direct BookHero link
bookhero.app/your-slug. Not Linktree, not other intermediaries.
Add short text in bio
E.g., 'Book here ↓' or 'Bookings in 60 seconds ↓'. Points attention to the link.
Consider activating Book action button
If you have business account, you can have Reserve button directly on profile (not just in bio). Setup in Edit Profile > Action Buttons.
2. Google Business Profile
It's the most important local SEO channel - when someone searches hairdresser London on Google, you can appear on the map with a Book button. Critical.
- On Google Business Profile, go to Info > Reservation.
- Paste your BookHero link.
- Client sees Book button in Google + Maps search results.
- Without this, a client who finds you on Google has to look elsewhere to book - you lose many.
3. WhatsApp Business: automatic welcome message
When someone writes to your WhatsApp for the first time, you can have an auto-reply that includes the booking link. Reduces admin messages and gives the client an immediate alternative.
- Configure in WhatsApp Business > Settings > Business Tools > Welcome message.
- Activate Send welcome message and paste the template above.
- Client who writes after hours receives immediately, can book without waiting for you.
- Reduces volume of book for Saturday? messages by 40-60%.
4. Facebook page (Website field)
Older audience (35+) still uses Facebook a lot. Configure in Edit page > About > Website. Same as Instagram: direct BookHero link, not intermediaries.
5. Instagram Stories with link sticker
Daily stories with recent work are the most underused opportunity. Each before/after story can have a clickable link sticker that goes straight to booking. Client sees the work, likes, clicks, books in 60 seconds.
- Take photo/video of work (before/after converts most).
- Add Link sticker and paste your BookHero URL.
- Customize sticker view (color, position) to highlight.
- For Highlights: combine best stories as fixed category (Before/After, Color, etc.).
6. TikTok bio (if applicable)
If you publish on TikTok, same rule: bio link direct to BookHero. TikTok limits the type of account that can have clickable link - typically business account only or accounts with 1000+ followers.
7. Email auto-responder
On your email client (Gmail, Outlook), configure signature or auto-responder with booking link. Each email you send is a silent booking opportunity.
8. Business card with QR code
9. Physical storefront with large QR code
Have a physical store? Put a large QR code in the window or storefront. Person passing, sees, points phone, books. Works especially well after hours - someone walking past at 10pm won't come back at 10am, but can book now.
- Minimum size on storefront: 10x10cm for distance legibility.
- Text above QR: Book now or Next slot.
- Material: vinyl or laminated sheet, durable.
- Replace every 12 months (sun and moisture degrade).
10. Own site if you have one
If you have a site (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix), each page should have prominent Book button going straight to BookHero. Don't hide on Contact page - put on every relevant page.
Bonus: partnerships with nearby businesses
Nearby non-competing businesses can have your link at their counter in exchange for the same. Conversion is higher than it sounds - client is already in spend-locally mode.
| You | Complementary partner |
|---|---|
| Barbershop | Men's clothing store, gym, café |
| Hairdresser | Women's clothing store, jewelry, esthetician |
| Esthetics | Natural products store, gym, hairdresser |
| Physiotherapy | Gym, medical clinic, pharmacy |
| Personal trainer | Sports store, physio, nutritionist |
| Pet grooming | Pet shop, vet, dog park |
How to propose partnership: Hi [partner], can we put our QR code/card at your counter? In exchange we put yours in our shop. Shared audiences, zero cost. Typically they accept.
How to generate QR code for your link
Go to a free QR generator
Examples: qr-code-generator.com, qrcode-monkey.com. No account needed.
Paste your BookHero link
bookhero.app/your-slug.
Customize (optional)
Center logo, brand color, dot format. Caution: excessive customization reduces legibility.
Download in SVG or high-resolution PNG
For printing, SVG is ideal (scales without losing quality). For digital use, 1000x1000 PNG is enough.
Test before mass printing
Point phone at QR on screen. Does your BookHero open? If yes, ready to print.
How to measure where clients come from
In Clients, you can manually record the origin of each new client in the private note (Origin: Instagram, Origin: Google, Origin: Business card, etc.). In 3 months, you'll have solid data on which channels work:
- What % comes from Instagram vs Google vs physical?
- Which channels convert best (client comes back)?
- Where is it worth reinforcing investment (more stories? more ads?)?
- Where can you stop spending time?
Typical mistakes in link sharing
- Putting Linktree instead of direct link: loses 30-50% of conversions per extra click.
- Hiding the link on the Contact page of the site: client doesn't find it.
- QR code too small on the card (<1cm): phones don't read well.
- Not updating when you change slug: shared link stops working.
- Inconsistent communication between channels: confuses client.
- Not testing QR code before printing 500 cards: very expensive mistake.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a shortened link like bit.ly?
Technically yes, but rarely worth it. Your BookHero link (bookhero.app/your-slug) is already short and branded. Generic shorteners lose branding and introduce a failure point (if service goes down, link dies).
Should I use dynamic QR code (that I can edit)?
Not typically necessary. If you never change the BookHero slug (recommended), static QR is enough and simpler. Dynamic QR only worth it if you anticipate regular changes.
Can I have UTM tracking on the link?
Currently, the BookHero link doesn't support specific UTMs for tracking. For simple analysis, manually record origin in the client card note. UTM support is on the roadmap.
What if I change the slug?
All shared links stop working immediately. That's the critical reason to choose a stable slug from the start. If you really need to change, BookHero can redirect - contact us via help@bookhero.app.
Worth paying to promote the link in ads?
Yes, but only AFTER having organic tuned. Paying ads when bio still has Linktree, incomplete profile, or few reviews is throwing money away. Focus first on the 10 free places above, then consider ads.