URL shorteners are online tools that take long and complicated URLs and create a much shorter, more manageable link that still redirects to the same destination. They are useful for marketing campaigns, social media promotion and management, internal communication, and more.
Many URL shortening services have built-in analytics and tracking features that enable users to monitor links’ performance. They can see click numbers, dwell times and users’ geographical locations. These metrics are helpful for content creators and marketers to analyze their links’ effectiveness in promoting, increasing traffic, engagement, and conversions.
The most obvious advantage of using a link shortener is that it simplifies sharing and accessing links. Long URLs can be difficult to remember and read, and they can look unprofessional in an email or presentation. Shorter, more manageable links are easy to share and are much easier for audiences to understand and remember.
Link shorteners also allow businesses to personalize the end of the shortened link, which can help to brand the link and make it more memorable. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where business managers are promoting their brand or products to potential customers one-on-one. For example, a URL like go/WorkingLunch is much more appealing to the audience than a long URL with random letters and numbers.
Lastly, some link shorteners offer the option to use a custom domain in the link, which can add an additional layer of branding and trust to the link. This can be especially important for brands looking to build a following on social media. In addition to these features, some of the best link shorteners have no expiration dates, which means that you can keep your shortened links active forever.
The best URL shorteners are simple to use, provide comprehensive analytics and tracking, and are backed by top-notch customer support. They can help small businesses and large enterprises alike to improve their digital marketing efforts, track and achieve business goals.
Bitly is an established and widely-used URL shortener with a robust set of features that makes it perfect for businesses. In addition to its basic link shortening capabilities, it can also cloak affiliate links, organize and filter shortlinks, generate more attractive QR codes, and provide graphical charts of click metrics. In addition, it allows users to link their Bitly account with their Google Analytics or Facebook accounts for more detailed reporting. It also has a free plan for individuals who only need to shorten a few links, and an advanced business-grade version for those who want more in-depth analytics.
