Why Linking Directly to Vendor Sites Hurts Your Print Business (And What to Do Instead)

Imagine this: a print buyer lands on your website, curious about your promotional products. They click a link… and suddenly, they’re not on your site anymore. They’re in a completely new environment with unfamiliar branding and no clear reminder of you. This kind of abrupt shift is more common than you might think. Many printers link directly to vendor platforms like Sage, ASI, Carlson Craft, or DisplayCity. It’s fast. It’s easy. And it’s quietly working against you. Losing the Visitor Too Soon It’s not the act of linking out that’s the problem—it’s when and how it happens. If someone clicks off your website right after arriving, without taking in who you are, what you offer, or how to come back, you’ve lost control of their experience. This kind of early exit leads to: Higher bounce rates Lower engagement signals (like time on site or page views) Decreased search engine visibility Worse, it’s a missed opportunity to build a relationship. You brought them in, but then sent them away before they really saw you. A simple change, like adding a transitional landing page, keeps them engaged a few moments longer. That time matters. It helps your visitor feel anchored to your

---