3 Quick Tips For Using URL Shorteners
If you're new to the world of shortened links and wondered what good URL shorteners are, read on. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the ease and utility of the free online tools.
Beyond reclaiming a fistful of those precious few 140 characters in a Twitter post, link shorteners - or "URL shorteners" - are ideal from providing you nearly real-time data as well as historical data giving you insight to the progress of your online visibility and marketing success.
Here are a 3 quick tips for using link shorteners:
- Use It Or Lose It
It might sound obvious, but use short links. Use them in social media marketing like Facebook and LinkedIn. Use them in your Tweets on Twitter, your tumbles on Tumblr and your posts on Posterous. They're nice, organic inbound links to your content, and organic inbound links are good for search engine ranking. - Get It Good
'Getting' something is half the battle, right? Understanding the impact on users is key. User appreciate having short links that are easy on the eyes and easy to share. - Add It All Up
The plus marks the spot! It's easy to track the click and related online activity information. Both bit.ly and goo.gl support giving you a shortened URL's related information - such as number of clicks, where the clicks came from, and lots more - by simply placing a '+' character after a link shortened using their services. Here's an example: If you used Google's shortener - goo.gl - and your link is something like "http://goo.gl/a98m0,"simply place a '+' at the end of the shortened link in the address bar of your browser and hit the 'Enter' key. Your link's details will load up and you'll have insight into how the link's stacking up.
Ready to try it out? There's a fun contest over on our Facebook page where you can learn about link shortening and get your chance to win over $500 in prizes. Check it out.
Do you use short links? How useful do you find them? What do you use them for? Feel free to share any tips on using short links here.
