beacons debuts a ‘link in bio’ mobile website builder that helps creators make money, not just list links

The Rise of Creator-Focused "Link in Bio" Platforms

Currently, numerous website builders cater to content creators seeking a central landing page to direct their audience from social media platforms. If you frequently use TikTok or Instagram, you’ve likely encountered these streamlined “link in bio” websites, such as those provided by Linktree.

Introducing Beacons: Empowering Creators

A new company, Beacons, is entering this market with the intention of enhancing the capabilities of “link in bio” websites. This platform’s website builder provides creators with a broader range of tools to monetize their communities, encompassing donations, sales, personalized requests, affiliate marketing, and more.

Onboarding and Page Setup

Upon registration, Beacons guides users through a series of questions, many requiring simple “yes” or “no” responses. For example, the platform inquires about accepting donations, collecting email addresses, or the types of videos the user creates – TikTok or YouTube – and their content category.

This collected information is then utilized to configure their Beacons landing page with appropriate content sections, referred to as “blocks.” Beacons initially offers approximately a dozen of these customizable blocks.

Configurable Blocks for Diverse Needs

These blocks include modules for email and SMS collection, video embedding for TikTok or YouTube creators, music embedding options, a Twitter block for embedding tweets or profiles, and standard link blocks, similar to Linktree’s functionality.

A unique feature is the “friends” block, reminiscent of the Myspace Top 8, allowing users to link to their connections on Beacons, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.

Monetization Features: A Key Differentiator

Beacons distinguishes itself through its “monetization” blocks, offering four tools for creators aiming to generate income from their online presence. One feature mirrors Cameo, enabling creators to offer a menu of personalized content requests from fans.

For instance, a fitness influencer might provide routine critiques, or an expert could answer questions for a fee, delivering responses publicly or privately.

Additional Revenue Streams

Additional monetization blocks facilitate accepting donations or selling digital products, such as e-books or exclusive video content.

TikTok Shopping Integration

Perhaps the most compelling monetization block is the TikTok shopping feature. Creators can embed TikTok videos showcasing recommended products directly on their Beacons website. They can then incorporate affiliate links, earning revenue when fans purchase featured items.

Capitalizing on the TikTok E-commerce Trend

This feature arrives at a crucial moment, as TikTok is currently developing its e-commerce capabilities. Recent presentations revealed plans for new shopping tools targeting TikTok’s younger demographic. TikTok has also collaborated with Shopify and experimented with live video shopping events, including a partnership with Walmart.

The phrase “TikTok made me buy it” has become a common justification for impulse purchases driven by viral content, demonstrating the platform’s influence on consumer behavior. Enabling creators to financially benefit from these trends represents a logical progression.

The Team Behind Beacons

Beacons was founded by Neal Jean, Jesse Zhang, Greg Luppescu, and David Zeng. Neal, Jesse, and David initially connected during their PhD studies at Stanford, focusing on fields like machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Greg completed his Master’s at Stanford and subsequently worked at Apple on the Apple Watch team.

From Y Combinator to a Creator-Focused Platform

Neal, Jesse, and David collaborated on Beacons, participating in the Y Combinator Summer 2019 program, iterating on concepts and adjusting the product’s direction. Early ideas, such as a Shopify integration, may be revisited in the future.

However, the core objective has consistently been to empower creators financially, according to Neal.

“Our primary focus, even before the current product, was on assisting creators with monetization,” he explained. “When we shifted towards a Linktree-like product, we prioritized features that would enable creators to generate revenue – something Linktree and other competitors weren’t offering. Currently, you cannot earn money directly through Linktree.”

A Competitive Landscape

Linktree is just one of many “link in bio” websites available, meaning Beacons faces significant competition. Other platforms include Linkin.bio, Lnk.bio, Shorby, Tap.bio, Feedlink.io, Link in Profile, Milkshake, Campsite, bio.fm, and biolincs.me.

Beacons’ Pricing and Revenue Model

Beacons differentiates itself by offering its tools for free, monetizing through a premium plan ($10/month) that allows creators to use a custom domain. It also earns revenue by taking a percentage of sales from requests and digital product sales – 9% on the free plan and 5% on the paid plan.

Currently, this revenue share generates only “hundreds” of dollars, but the team anticipates growth as the user base expands.

“Our strategy is to continue developing more revenue streams for creators,” Neal stated. “As we do so, transactional revenue will likely become a larger proportion of our overall income.”

Early Traction and Future Plans

Since launching in private beta last September, Beacons has attracted 90,000 sign-ups, with over 20,000 active users, primarily joining in recent months with the rollout of new features. The company has not yet invested in paid marketing, with approximately 77% of new users discovering Beacons through referrals on other profiles.

The team secured a small angel investment of around $600,000 post-Y Combinator and is planning future fundraising efforts.