Website Best Practices: Why Social Media Links Don’t Belong in Your Website Header
By David James Peterson | Digital Strategy Insights
If you’ve ever been tempted to add those eye-catching social media icons right at the top of your website, you’re not alone. At Plaid Moose Creative, we get this request all the time. Something about those little logos makes even seasoned marketers want to show them off front and center.
But here’s the reality: putting social media links in your website’s header or main navigation isn’t just unnecessary—it could actually be hurting your site’s performance and your business goals.
Let’s break down why you should reconsider and where those links really belong.
Why Most Top Brands Hide Social Media Links in the Footer
Ever notice how major national brands handle their social icons? Next time you browse, look up the “Top 20 online shopping websites in the USA.” You’ll quickly see a pattern: those social media links are nowhere to be found in the header. You’ll have a hard time finding any national brand (think Amazon, Nike, Target, or ZipRecruiter) that puts social icons anywhere but the footer.
Take Target, for example. Their social links are tucked neatly into the sub-footer, keeping the main navigation clean and focused. And Nike? Their homepage doesn’t show social media links at all. Not in the header. Not even in the footer.
These companies invest millions in user experience research, so their choices are rarely random. They know that the placement of every element impacts how visitors move through their site.
The Downside of Social Media Links in Your Menu Bar
1. Higher Bounce Rates
When you put social icons in your menu bar, you’re giving visitors a fast exit. Someone lands on your site, sees the Facebook or Instagram icon, and with one click, they’re gone, off to scroll through their feed, distracted by everything but your business. This increases your bounce rate, which is a red flag to search engines, and reduces the time spent exploring your website. High bounce rates can drag down your SEO, making it harder for people to find you in the first place.
2. Disrupted User Experience
Your main navigation should guide people to your most important content. Social links in the header interrupt that journey. Instead of exploring your offerings, visitors might detour to your social profiles and never return to finish what they started on your site.
3. You’re Sending People Back Up the Funnel
Think about your sales funnel. You work hard to bring people from social media to your website, where you can turn interest into action, like a sale, a quote request, or a booking. You’re reversing the process if you immediately send them back to social media. Your website is where conversions happen; don’t make it easy for visitors to leave before they take action.
A Smarter Way: Keep Social Media Links in the Footer
Clean Navigation, Better Focus
When you move social icons to the footer, your main navigation stays focused on what matters most, driving visitors to your key pages and calls to action. This helps people find what they need quickly, without unnecessary distractions.
Faster Load Times and Smoother Performance
Social widgets and links can slow down your site, especially if they’re loaded on every page via the header. Keeping them in the footer reduces their impact on load times, making your site faster and more enjoyable to browse.
More Conversions
A distraction-free menu bar means visitors are far more likely to stay on your site, explore your offerings, and take meaningful actions. That’s what you want—engaged users who become leads or customers.
How to Add Social Media Links the Right Way
Make Them Subtle, Not Shouty
Use simple, recognizable icons in your footer. They should be easy to find, but not so bold that they compete with your main content. Stick with a clean design—white or black icons work well and won’t clash with your site’s look.
Don’t Forget Mobile Users
Your footer should be just as user-friendly on a phone or tablet as it is on a desktop. Make sure your social links are accessible and easy to tap, no matter the device.
Test What Works for You
While most businesses benefit from keeping social links in the footer, there are exceptions. If your company relies heavily on social media for customer support or community engagement, you might experiment with a sidebar or a dedicated social section. The key is to test and see what works for your audience.
Try Social Sharing Instead
If you love the idea of social icons, consider adding “share” buttons to your blog posts or landing pages. These let visitors share your content on their own profiles, helping you reach a wider audience without sending people away from your site. You’ll see these in news articles and influencer blogs—they’re a great way to encourage engagement without sacrificing conversions.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Website Focused
It might feel counterintuitive, but moving those cute social icons out of your header can make a big difference.
By keeping your main navigation focused and your social links in the footer, you're not just creating a better experience for visitors, you're also encouraging them to stick around longer and boosting your chances of turning clicks into customers.
This shift can lead to increased engagement and ultimately, more conversions.
As always, keep an eye on your analytics and don’t be afraid to experiment. Every audience is different, and the best websites are the ones that evolve based on real user behavior.
FAQs
Q: Why shouldn’t I put social media links in my menu bar?
A: Adding social icons to your main navigation gives visitors an easy way to leave your site, which can increase bounce rates and disrupt the path to conversion. Keeping them in the footer reduces these risks while making your profiles accessible.
Q: How does moving social media links to the footer help my website?
A: Placing social links in the footer keeps your main navigation focused, improves load times, and creates a smoother user experience, which can boost your site’s performance and conversion rates.
Q: Will people still find my social links if they’re in the footer?
A: Yes! Most visitors expect to find social media links in the footer. Those who want to connect with you on social platforms will know exactly where to look. Rest assured, your social links will still be easily accessible to your audience.
Q: Can I still promote my social media channels without header links?
A: Absolutely. Use blog posts, email newsletters, and even social share buttons to encourage engagement on your social channels, without distracting from your website’s primary goals.
Q: Are there exceptions to this rule?
A: If your business depends on social media for customer service or community building, consider a more prominent placement. Just be sure to test and see what works best for your audience.
Need help making your website work smarter, not harder?
Plaid Moose Creative specializes in website design and optimization that puts your business goals first. Reach out to our team to learn how we can help you create a user-friendly, conversion-focused site that stands out from the crowd.
By focusing on user experience and smart design choices, you’ll set your website and your business up for long-term success. Happy designing!
