Tag: custom url shortener

Messy, unbranded links can make even the best content look unpolished. That’s where techniques like URL masking come in, giving you more control over how your links appear and how your brand is represented online.

Whether you’re sharing affiliate links, curating third-party content, or just aiming for a cleaner user experience, masking offers a way to keep your URLs neat and consistent. But like any strategy, it comes with its own set of benefits and boundaries.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

In this blog, we’ll break it down step by step:

• First, what is URL masking, and how does it work.
• Then, how to set it up using tools like Replug.
• And finally, why it matters. From branding benefits to user experience.
  

Let’s get into it.

What is URL masking?

URL masking, also known as URL cloaking, link masking, or domain masking, is a technique that hides the actual URL of a webpage while displaying a more user-friendly URL shortening service.

Link masking works hand in hand with URL redirection, guiding users from one URL to another while keeping the original link hidden. This technique can be achieved through various methods, such as using a redirect or employing a URL shortener.

Example:

User types: 

They see the content from: 

But the browser still shows: 

How to mask a URL link using Replug?

You can mask a URL using Replug by creating a branded short link that hides the original URL. Here’s how to do it step by step:

Step 1: Login to your Replug dashboard

Sign in to Replug, or create an account. Once you’re done, you’ll be redirected to the main dashboard page.

Step 2: Shorten your link

Enter the URL you want to mask by simply pasting the URL in the bar under “Quickly Shorten your link” 

You may also like: How to shorten a link using a URL shortener?

Step 3: Mask the URL

After you click on the blue next button, you’ll be led to a popup. Connect your custom domain and edit the URL slug to generate a masked URL:

Step 4: Enable link cloaking

Turn on link cloaking in Replug, so users see only your custom, masked link in the browser’s address bar instead of the original URL. This keeps your video link clean, branded, and more trustworthy.

Step 5: Save the masked URL

Once enabled, click the Save Shortened Link button, and you’re done! Now you can share your masked URL to whoever you want, and wherever!

You may also like: The importance of choosing the right URL slug for SEO success

URL shortening vs URL masking

URL shortening and URL masking both make long links easier to manage, but each is designed with a different goal in mind.

While URL shortening creates concise links for easy sharing, URL masking conceals the actual URL, adding a layer of branding or tracking.

Let’s explore their differences and similarities.

Differences:

Feature/Aspect	URL Shortening	URL Masking
Purpose	To create a concise version of a long URL	To hide the actual URL behind a different one
Visibility	The original URL is visible after clicking	The original URL is hidden from users
User Experience	Simplifies sharing and typing	Enhances branding and tracking
Common Use Cases	Social media sharing, email links	Affiliate marketing, branded links
SEO Impact	Can impact link performance positively	May not directly affect SEO
Analytics	Often includes tracking capabilities	Can provide click tracking as well
Complexity	Simple to implement	Can involve a more complex setup

Similarities:

• Both enhance the usability of long web addresses.
• Both can help with click tracking and analytics.
• Both are commonly used in digital marketing strategies.

For example:

A shortened URL for, let’s say, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars‘ new collab “APT” would look like:

Whereas the actual masked URL looks like this:

Benefits of URL masking with Replug

1. Create branded, shareable links
URL or domain masking lets you use your custom domain instead of a long, generic link, making your brand front and center in every share.

2. Improve the visual appeal of your links
Masked URLs look cleaner and more professional, especially in social media posts, emails, or printed materials. No more distracting strings of random characters.

3. Track clicks and campaign performance
With Replug, you get access to real-time analytics. Track click-through rates, audience behavior, and conversions, all from your branded masked link.

4. Hide the final destination URL
Need to redirect users without showing the actual destination? Replug helps you mask affiliate or third-party URLs for a seamless and polished experience.

5. Simplify long, complex URLs
If your links contain UTM parameters, session IDs, or other tags, masking them with Replug helps you replace them with clean, user-friendly versions that are easier to share.

6. Mask affiliate links
Replug lets you mask affiliate links with clean, branded URLs, making them more trustworthy, trackable, and click-worthy in seconds.

You may also like: What is a vanity URL and why do you need one?

FAQs on how to mask a URL link

What is the best tool to mask links?

Replug is an excellent tool for masking links. It allows you to create custom, branded URLs that are both visually appealing and easy to share, enhancing your marketing efforts.

Can you mask URLs in affiliate tracking links?

Yes, you can mask affiliate tracking links using several methods, such as using a URL shortener like Replug, creating a redirect script on your server, or using a web extension to manage your affiliate links.

How do you mask a link in HTML?

You can mask a link in HTML by using the following code:

This will display the text “Link Text” as a clickable link that will open in a new tab when clicked. The actual URL is hidden behind the text “Link Text.”

What are the benefits of URL masking?

URL masking helps enhance branding, improve link appearance, enable click tracking, and hide complex URLs. With tools like Replug, you can easily mask links, making them look cleaner, more professional, and branded.

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Free URL shorteners are great and all, but let’s be real: paid URL shorteners take things up a notch. 

When you’re paying for something, you expect to get more out of it, right? And with URL shorteners, that “more” includes some seriously cool features. But here’s the real question: 

Which paid URL shortener actually gives you the most value for your money?

Any URL shortener can clean up a long, clunky link. But the good ones? They let you brand and customize your links, turning that messy string of text into something sleek and professional. They also give you tracking insights to see who’s clicking your links and even help you figure out which marketing campaigns are actually working.

So, if you’re ready to upgrade your links, here are the top 5 paid URL shorteners that bring value, functionality, and style to the table.

What to look for in a paid URL shortener

When choosing a paid URL shortener, it’s important to consider the following features:

• Custom branded domains: Make your links match your brand’s identity.
• Detailed analytics: Track click data, including location, device, and referral source.
• Retargeting and tracking: Re-engage users through targeted ads based on their interactions with your links.
• Link rotation: Direct users to different destinations based on conditions.
• Mobile compatibility: Ensure your links and campaigns are optimized for mobile users.
• Team management: Allow multiple users to collaborate and streamline workflows.

You may also like: 5 powerful benefits of URL shorteners you should know

Pricing at a glance

Here’s a quick breakdown of each tool’s pricing plans to help you make an informed decision:

Tool
	Free plan	Basic	Pro	Agency/Premium/Business
Replug	14-day free trial with all advanced features across all plans	$19/mo	$49/mo	From $79/mo
Rebrandly	Yes, but with limited features	$14/mo	$39/mo	$119/mo
Bitly	Yes, but with only 10 links and 100 clicks per month	$8/mo (annual plan only)	$35/mo	$300/mo
Sniply	14-day free trial with basic features across plans	$9/month	$29/mo	$59/mo
Rocketlink	10-day free trial but with limited features and volume	$19/mo	$29/mo	$69/mo

Top 5 URL shorteners

1. Replug

Replug is a powerful link management tool that allows you to create unlimited short links, giving you the flexibility to streamline your link-sharing process. With in-depth analytics to track link performance, Replug offers valuable insights into your audience’s behavior and engagement.

What sets Replug apart is its all-in-one solution packed with advanced features like white-label solutions, custom CTA campaigns, deep linking, and more. Unlike other tools that provide only one or two of these features, Replug combines them all into a single, powerful platform. 

Replug features

With Replug, you get access to an all-in-one platform with powerful features. Here’s what’s in store:

• Link management: Manage all your links through a simple and clean dashboard, whether you’re an agency, affiliate marketer, content creator, freelancer, or e-commerce business.
• Link shortening: Shorten unlimited links, create vanity URLs, and customize link previews with branded links and favicons.
• Link analytics: Access detailed analytics, including total and unique clicks segmented by location, referral, device, and browser.
• Bio links: Create customizable bio link pages with social links, blocks, RSS feeds, and retargeting pixels.

• Call-to-action generation: Create eye-catching CTA campaigns for your links to boost converstions and sales.
• White-label solution: Customize the dashboard, logos, domain, reports, and more, which is ideal for agencies wanting to brand their services.
• Retargeting pixels: Add retargeting pixels to your links to track users and re-engage them with targeted ads on multiple digital platforms.
• Deep linking: Direct users to specific pages within your app or website for a personalized, seamless experience.
• A/B testing: Test up to 10 URLs simultaneously, with percentage-based traffic distribution to optimize link performance.
• Link rotation: Set up to 10 traffic rules for short links, directing users to different destinations based on conditions. A default link ensures users are always redirected.
• QR code generation: Generate customizable QR codes with trackable performance, editable colors, and PNG or SVG download options.
• Team management: Collaborate efficiently by inviting team members and assigning roles, ensuring streamlined workflows for link management and campaigns.

Replug pricing:

• Basic: $19/mo
• Professional: $49/mo
• Agency (Small): $79/mo
• Agency (Medium): $149/mo
• Agency (Large): $299/mo
• Agency (Enterprise): $499/mo

2. Rebrandly

Rebrandly specializes in branded links, allowing you to customize URLs with your own domain. With powerful features like link tracking, custom slugs, and advanced analytics, Rebrandly is ideal for businesses that want to make a strong, professional impression with every link.

Top features: 

• Custom domains & links: Create and manage branded links.
• Advanced analytics: Track detailed link performance.
• Traffic routing: Direct clicks to specific pages based on conditions.
• Bio links (Link Gallery) & QR codes: Build bio link pages and generate trackable QR codes.

Pricing:

• Essentials: $14/mo
• Professional: $39/mo
• Growth: $119/mo
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Related: What is a branded short domain and how do I get one?

3. Bitly

Bitly is known for its simplicity and reliability. It offers features like branded links and basic analytics. However, to access its more advanced analytics, you’ll need to opt for a paid plan.

Top features: 

• Branded links: Customize URLs with your domain.
• Analytics & reporting: Track clicks, referrers, and geographic data.
• Retargeting pixels: Add pixels to retarget users.
• Integrations: Sync with tools like Zapier.

Pricing:

• Core: $8/mo (annual plan only)
• Growth: $35/month
• Premium: $300/month

Related: Top 10 Bitly alternatives and competitors in 2025

4. Sniply

Sniply is unique in that it allows you to add a custom call-to-action (CTA) overlay to your shared links. This can drive traffic back to your website or encourage specific actions while sharing valuable content.

Top features: 

• CTA overlays: Add CTAs to any link you share.
• Link analytics: Track clicks, conversions, and more.
• Retargeting & A/B testing: Re-engage users and test different strategies.
• Team management: Share link management with your team.

Pricing:

• Basic: $9/month
• Pro: $29/month
• Business: $59/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

5. RocketLink

RocketLink is ideal for marketers who want to add retargeting pixels and CTAs to their links. It’s powerful, but when it comes to ease of use, flexibility, and features, Replug leads the way by offering a more comprehensive toolkit for link management and analytics.

Top features:

• Branded Domains: Customize your short links.
• Retargeting Pixels: Add pixels for ad retargeting.
• Analytics: Track link performance and audience behavior.
• Custom CTAs: Add custom CTAs to drive engagement.

Pricing:

• Liftoff: $19/month
• Space: $29/month
• Galaxy: $69/month

Best use cases for paid URL shorteners

Paid URL shorteners are versatile tools that cater to diverse industries and professionals. Here’s how different types of users can benefit from them:

• E-commerce: Track customer behavior with detailed analytics, use branded links for a polished, trustworthy shopping experience, and boost conversions with deep linking to specific product pages.
• Content creators: Customize bio links for platforms like Instagram or TikTok, promote specific content with branded URLs, and monitor audience engagement to refine your strategy.
• Affiliate marketers: Use A/B testing to experiment with different campaigns, retarget users who clicked your links, and analyze traffic performance to maximize commission opportunities.
• Agencies: Leverage white-label solutions to add your branding, collaborate with team members on client accounts, and utilize advanced analytics to demonstrate campaign success to clients.
• Freelancers: Create professional-looking links to promote your portfolio or services, use bio links to consolidate your online presence, and track link engagement to identify your most effective outreach strategies.
• Event planners: Share event registration links, direct attendees to specific event pages, and track sign-up trends to plan better for future events.
• Nonprofits and NGOs: Share donation links with branded URLs, track donor engagement, and run A/B tests on different campaigns to see what drives more contributions.
• Music artists: Promote new releases, concert tickets, and merch with branded links, consolidate links to your streaming platforms and social media with bio links, and track fan engagement to identify your top-performing campaigns.
• Social media managers: Optimize link performance for multiple social platforms, create branded short links that align with your brand identity, and analyze clicks to see which platforms drive the most engagement.
• Mobile App developers: Use deep linking to guide users directly to specific app features, track user acquisition campaigns, and personalize experiences with advanced analytics.

By tailoring the use of paid URL shorteners to your niche, you’ll unlock new levels of efficiency and engagement in your marketing strategies.

Final verdict: Which is the best URL shortener?

At this point, you are familiar with the benefits of using link management tools. Moreover, we have also mentioned the top paid URL shorteners.

However, when it comes to which URL shortener is an all-rounder, Replug truly shines as the all-in-one, customizable, and scalable solution for marketers, agencies, and businesses looking to level up their link-sharing game. With features like branded URLs, detailed analytics, bio links, retargeting, and more, Replug has everything you need to create powerful, performance-driven links.

Investing in a paid URL shortener is more than just shortening your links—it’s about optimizing your marketing strategy and driving results. And when you choose Replug, you’re choosing a tool that gives you the power to truly take control of your links.

If you’re looking to make your links work harder for you, why not give Replug a try? With a 14-day free trial and advanced features, it’s the perfect way to see what paid URL shorteners can do for your business. Start your trial today!

Let’s face it, nobody enjoys those super long website links that look like they were generated by a robot. They’re a pain to type, share, and remember. 

Plus, let’s not sugarcoat it – they can be a major turn-off for potential customers.

But what if there was a way to transform those difficult URLs into sleek, memorable links that roll off the tongue? 

There is actually! Say hello to custom url shorteners.  

No more messy links, plus you get easy analytics, the ability to add UTM parameters and other handy link management features.

Here’s why your business needs a custom URL shortener – it’s a game-changer for boosting your brand and getting those clicks.

What is a custom URL shortener?

A custom URL shortener is a tool that allows users to personalize URLs attached with their custom domain. Moreover, a fully customizable URL shortener gives the flexibility to customize the tool with your branded logos, themes, favicons, email etc.

Custom URL shorteners do more than create custom URLs. They provide detailed analytics, improve brand visibility, and streamline link management, helping businesses track performance and optimize their marketing campaign efforts.

Related: How to create a custom URL

05 reasons your business needs a custom URL shortener

Businesses are always looking for tools and tips to boost their online presence and communication. One often overlooked yet powerful tool in the marketer’s arsenal is the URL shortener. 

Here are five compelling reasons why your business needs a custom URL shortener:

1. Helps you stand out with your branded domain

Branded URL shorteners offer customization options, allowing you to tailor the shortened links to match your brand’s aesthetic. Other than that custom URLs are less likely to be flagged as spam compared to generic short links, making sure that your content reaches your audience without being blocked or filtered out.

Related: What is a Branded Short Domain and How Do I Get One?

2. Gain valuable insights with real-time tracking

Another fantastic thing about custom URLs is that you can track them in real time, which means you get instant insights into how your links are doing on different platforms. And see which content your audience loves the most. 

Besides that by adding UTM tags to your links in each campaign, you can find out where your visitors are coming from( Geographical data), the total click-through rates, and much more. 

This covers everything from organic search, social media platforms, ad campaigns, email campaigns, or even offline sources. 

3. Link management capabilities

Advanced custom URL tools also provide complete link management capabilities. With these tools, you can do so much more than just track performance. 

• You can add retargeting pixels to your links, so you can reach out to people who have shown interest in your content before. 
• Want to boost conversion rates? No problem. You can add custom calls to action to your links, guiding users towards specific actions like signing up or buying.
• Plus, you can create white-label dashboards to give your clients or partners a smooth experience that reflects your brand. 
• You can also make custom bio links if you’re managing multiple social profiles. These links can be added to your social bio. They will lead your visitors to a microsite where all your important brand details, like your website and other social profiles, are neatly organized.

4. Better engagement and SEO

Custom URLs are more visually appealing and take up less space, making them ideal for social media posts, email newsletters, and other marketing collateral. 

And people are more likely to click on links that convey what they lead to, increasing click-through rates.

While custom URLs themselves don’t directly influence search engine ranking, they can indirectly contribute to SEO by incorporating relevant keywords. Descriptive URLs with target keywords can improve a web page’s topical relevance in search engine algorithms.

5. Consistent branding across platforms

Whether you’re sharing links on social media, in email campaigns, or on your website, branded short links ensure a consistent brand experience across all touch points. This cohesive branding not only enhances brand recognition but also reinforces trust and loyalty among your audience.

Application of custom URL shorteners in different industries

Custom URL shorteners are versatile tools with applications across various industries, offering benefits such as enhanced branding, improved user experience, and detailed analytics. While they can be used effectively in all types of industries, their impact may be most significant in specific sectors where link management and optimization play a crucial role.

Here are some industries where custom URL shorteners are particularly applicable:

1. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a wide industry and with all the future trends of affiliate marketing, it’s set to take a wild turn in the coming years. 

If you’re involved in affiliate marketing, you’ve probably discovered advanced custom URL shorteners and realized just how useful they are when used properly.

As affiliate marketers, they need to mask their links before adding them to blogs or product pages. This gives a more professional image and directs users directly to the product, enhancing the overall user experience.

Now if you don’t know what link masking is. Let us tell you, link masking – also known as link cloaking – involves creating a clean, branded URL that redirects to a longer, more complex affiliate link. This practice offers several benefits:

• Professional appearance
• Avoiding link theft
• Improved user experience
• Preventing commission loss
• Managing broken links
• And much more…

Besides that, implement custom URLs to track referrals from partners or affiliates. This helps you understand where your website traffic originates and measure the effectiveness of your partnerships.

Related: A quick guide on affiliate decloaking 

2. E-commerce marketing

Custom URL shorteners are incredibly valuable for e-commerce marketing, they help reduce marketing costs, reduce cart abandonments, monitor click-through rates (CTR), and offer many additional benefits. Here’s how:

• Custom URLs can act like little signposts within a store’s website. Instead of clicking through endless menus, a custom link with deep linking abilities can take you straight to a specific category or product you’re interested in. 
• When relevant keywords are included in these URLs, search engines can better understand the website’s content structure, potentially boosting its SEO ranking for those keywords.

• Add retargeting pixels within your URLs to show personalized ads to users who have already shown interest in your products or services. Retargeted ads typically have higher click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates compared to standard display ads.
• URL shorteners with traffic routing features help eCommerce marketers improve their marketing campaigns performance. Traffic routing, also referred to as link rotation, is a feature that allows users to create customized links with preset conditions such as time, date, device, country etc. This allows you to show personalized content and run targeted campaigns at specific dates for specific regions or even for specific device users etc. And the amazing part is that you have the option to set link expiry dates so when the campaign is over, the short URL will be deleted.

• Custom URLs also facilitate A/B testing, allowing businesses to compare different versions of a URL to see which one performs better.

3. Social media marketing

Content and social media marketers use URL shorteners to keep their links neat and professional, especially when they have a large social media following.

Plus you get to create bio links, add UTM parameters, track social media campaigns, and more.

Bio-links

Social media platforms have character limits, and a lengthy URL can eat up precious space. So you may not be able to add all the important details regarding your brand, portfolio, etc.

Bio links are a custom page that houses all your important social links, brand details, and more. You can then add this single bio link to your Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter bios, saving space and giving your audience easy access to everything they need to know about.

Social media tracking & retargeting

Custtom link shorteners aren’t just for looks! Many offer powerful campaign tracking features. Using UTM parameters, you can gain valuable insights into where your audience is coming from and how they interact with your campaigns. 

See which platforms drive the most traffic, and which content resonates most, and refine your strategy accordingly. Besides that, by using custom URLs for each social media campaign you can easily measure their effectiveness and optimize future efforts.

Additionally, integrating social media retargeting as part of your tracking strategy allows you to show personalized ads to users who have already engaged with your content or visited your website. This targeted approach increases the likelihood of conversion and enhances the overall effectiveness of your social media campaigns.

Quick tip

Add calls to action to your links or bio link pages, encouraging visitors to subscribe to your newsletter, contact you for inquiries, or explore your website. 

4. Email marketing

Custom URL shorteners boost your email marketing campaigns efforts, as they offer several benefits such as…

• Firstly, it streamlines the appearance of emails, making them more visually appealing and professional.
• Email deliverability is crucial for the success of your email campaigns. Custom URL shorteners can help improve deliverability by reducing the length of your URLs, which can sometimes trigger spam filters.
• Additionally, it enhances tracking capabilities, providing valuable insights into campaign performance in real-time.
• The inclusion of UTM parameters ensures consistent branding across campaigns, while retargeting pixels facilitating targeted follow-up ads and driving conversions.

• Email remarketing leverages tracked information to showcase relevant ads. By displaying tailored special offers related to recently viewed products, it re-engages visitors effectively.
• Moreover, email remarketing aims to reduce cart abandonment by sending targeted emails to users who have abandoned their carts. Segmenting this audience and sending reminders about the items left in the cart, personalized recommendations, and sometimes special offers or discounts to incentivize the completion of the purchase.

5. White-label marketing

White-label marketing involves rebranding tools as your own that are produced under another company’s brand. This can be effectively achieved using white-label branding tools. 

These custom branding tools allow you to create custom white-label dashboards where you can add your logo, custom domain, colors, and more. Additionally, you can:

• Generate custom URLs for your white-label brand.
• Track key metrics like clicks, engagement rates, and conversions.
• Create deep links to direct users to specific content.
• And much more…

By providing these customization options and features, you can meet your clients’ unique needs, build trust and transparency, and drive successful marketing campaigns.

6. QR code marketing

QR codes are an effective way to bridge offline and online marketing efforts. Custom URLs can be added in QR codes to direct users to specific landing pages, promotions, or product information.

By using custom URLs shorteners, businesses can ensure that the scanned links are easy to read, memorable, and aligned with their branding, thereby enhancing the user experience and improving the effectiveness of QR code campaigns.

The best custom URL shortener

Choosing the right custom URL shortener is important if you want to maximize the benefits of custom URLs.

You might see many popular but common custom URL shorteners in the market. However, we got the complete link management solution that is a great affordable alternative to Bitly or even Rebrandly.

Drum roll please…

Replug, the ultimate solution for professional marketers and agencies.

The platform comes with top notch features, such as:

• Personalized shortened URLs with custom domains and slugs.
• Create microsites using bio links.
• Create and add different types of CTAs on your links.
• Add retargeting pixels to your links.
• Generate QR codes.
• Track link clicks and conversions.
• Add & hide UTM codes for any link.
• A white-label branding plan
• And much more…

If you are looking for a complete URL shortener link management tool, then Replug has no alternative.

Still doubts?

Take a free first-hand experience to Replug and judge yourself.

Pricing: 

• Basic – $19 /mo
• Professional – $49 /mo
• Agency – $79 /mo

Other notable custom URL shorteners

BL.INK

BL.INK offers advanced features for businesses of all sizes, including custom branded links, analytics, and flexible link management options. Its advanced tracking and reporting tools help businesses gain deep insights into link performance and audience behavior.

Pricing:

• EXPERT+ – $48/mo

• SMB – $99/mo
• TEAM – $299/mo
• BUSINESS – $599/mo

TinyURL

TinyURL provides a straightforward URL-shortening service with customization options. While it may not have as many features as other custom url shorteners, it excels in simplicity and ease of use. TinyURL’s basic URL shortening service remains free, making it a good option for those on a tight budget or requiring occasional link shortening.

Pricing:

• Pro plans start at $12.99 / mo
• Bulk plans start at $129.00 / mo

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap for today’s blog! While there are many custom URL shorteners and link management tools on the market, Replug truly stands out thanks to its array of additional features.

One of the standout qualities of Replug is its user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible to even the least tech-savvy users. Moreover, pricing plays a significant role in choosing the right tool, and Replug offers affordability that’s rare, especially for larger businesses and agencies.

Unlike many other custom URL shorteners that come with hefty price tags for their agency or enterprise plans, Replug keeps its pricing plans reasonable. This makes it a top choice for businesses of all sizes. 

FAQs on custom URL shorteners

Can I customize the shortened URLs with my brand name?

Yes, many custom URL shorteners offer customization options, allowing you to use your branded domain and customize the shortened links to match your brand’s identity.

Do URL shorteners affect SEO?

Custom URLs do not directly impact SEO, but they can indirectly improve SEO by enhancing user experience, increasing click-through rates, and driving organic traffic to your website.

How can I track the performance of my custom URLs?

You can track the performance of custom URLs using built-in analytics tools provided by custom URL services, which offer detailed insights into link engagement.

Are there any limitations to using URL shorteners?

While custom URL shorteners offer numerous benefits, it’s essential to choose a reputable provider and be aware of any limitations such as link expiration dates, usage caps, or restrictions on certain types of content.

Your brand identity is the heartbeat of your business, the visual and emotional essence that sets you apart in a crowded market. 

In this short guide, we’ll outline actionable steps that go beyond aesthetics, ensuring your brand not only stands out but becomes a memorable and trusted presence in the minds of your audience. So, let’s get started!

What is brand identity and why is it crucial?

Brand identity is the visual and conceptual representation of a brand. It encompasses various elements that communicate the brand’s personality, values, and characteristics to its audience.

This identity serves as the face of the brand, creating a distinctive and memorable image in the minds of consumers.

Key components of brand identity:

• Logo: A unique visual symbol that represents the brand.
• Color palette: A consistent set of colors associated with the brand.
• Typography: Specific fonts used in brand communications.
• Visual style: The overall aesthetic, including imagery and design elements.
• Brand voice: The tone and style of language used in communication.
• Tagline or slogan: A concise phrase that encapsulates the brand’s essence.

Why brand identity is crucial?

Your brand identity is more than just a logo or a color scheme; it’s the heartbeat of your online persona. It encapsulates the essence of your brand, conveying its personality, values, and promises. Beyond the visual elements, a robust brand identity is the key to unlocking several critical objectives in the digital realm.

Key objectives:

• Memorability: A strong brand identity helps a brand stand out and be remembered in a crowded market. Consistent visuals and messaging create a lasting impression. 
• Differentiation: In competitive industries, a distinctive brand identity sets a brand apart from competitors, making it easily recognizable. 
• Authority and Trust: A well-crafted brand identity communicates professionalism and builds trust. It establishes the brand as an authority in its industry. 
• Consistency: Brand identity acts as a guide for maintaining consistency across all marketing channels. Consistency reinforces brand recognition and credibility.
• Scalability: A flexible brand identity can adapt and evolve with the brand’s growth. It remains relevant across various stages of business development.

How to create a brand identity: 5 essential steps

1. Define your brand purpose:

Mission and values: 

• Clearly articulate why your brand exists, the values it stands for, and the problems it aims to solve.

Differentiation: 

• Identify what sets your brand apart from competitors.

2. Research the competition:

Competitive analysis: 

• Study competitors’ brand strategies to understand the market landscape.

Identify gaps: 

• Look for opportunities to differentiate your brand from others.

Also read: Top 22 Personal Branding Tools To Upscale Your Marketing

3. Research your target audience:

Detailed personas: 

• Develop detailed profiles of your target audience, including their preferences, behaviors, and expectations.

Appeal to your audience: 

• Tailor your brand identity to resonate with your specific audience.

4. Develop your brand voice and personality:

Define brand persona: 

• Decide on your brand’s personality traits (e.g., friendly, professional, innovative).

Consistent communication: 

• Develop a unique brand voice and maintain consistency across all communication channels.

5. Develop your visual identity:

Design a memorable logo:

• Create a visually striking logo that encapsulates your brand essence.
• Ensure simplicity and scalability for various applications.

Consider symbolism:

• Leverage symbols and visual elements that reinforce your brand message.
• Explore the psychological impact of colors and fonts.

Choose a color palette and typography:

• Establish a cohesive color palette that aligns with your brand personality.
• Select fonts that convey the right tone for your brand.

Also read: Branded Link Management: Your Key to Online Success

Integrating your brand identity: A strategic imperative for business success

Creating a compelling brand identity is a pivotal step toward establishing a distinctive presence in the market. However, the true power of a brand identity lies in its seamless integration into various facets of your business. This integration ensures that your brand is not just a visual entity but a cohesive and recognizable force that extends across all touchpoints. 

Let’s explore how you can effectively integrate your brand identity into different aspects of your business for maximum impact.

1. Website integration:

Your website is the digital storefront of your brand. Ensure that your brand identity is reflected in every pixel. From logo placement to color schemes and typography, the website should be a consistent extension of your brand personality. Effective logo design is crucial for ensuring brand identity is communicated seamlessly across all digital platforms.

Take cues from successful brands like Dollar Shave Club, whose website design perfectly complements its bold and irreverent brand identity.

2. Physical storefronts and packaging:

Even in the era of digital dominance, physical touchpoints matter. Extend your brand identity to your physical locations and product packaging. Whether it’s the layout of your store, the design of your storefront, or the packaging of your products, ensure a uniform visual experience. 

Apple exemplifies this by translating its minimalist and sleek brand identity seamlessly into its physical stores and product packaging.

3. Social media presence:

Social media is a dynamic platform for engaging with your audience. Align your brand identity across all social media channels. Consistent use of visuals, language, and tone reinforces brand recognition. 

For inspiration, look at how Spotify maintains a vibrant and music-centric brand identity across its social media platforms.

4. Content marketing efforts:

Your content is a direct reflection of your brand voice. Whether it’s blog posts, videos, or infographics, infuse your brand identity into every piece of content. This not only enhances brand consistency but also creates a unique and memorable brand narrative. 

Mailchimp maintains a friendly and consistent brand voice across various content channels.

5. Packaging and presentation:

The way you present your products or services speaks volumes about your brand. Ensure that your packaging aligns with your brand identity. Whether it’s the color scheme, logos, or overall design, packaging should reinforce your brand’s visual language. 

Think about how Coca-Cola’s iconic red and white branding extends seamlessly to its packaging, creating a strong and consistent visual impact.

6. Utilizing a custom URL shortener:

In the digital age, even your online links contribute to your brand identity. Leverage a custom URL shortener like Replug to create branded links. By doing so, you not only enhance brand visibility but also build link trust. 

This small yet impactful step allows you to put your brand on every link you share, increasing brand awareness in every digital interaction.

Closing note:

Integrating your brand identity into various aspects of your business is not just a choice; it’s a strategic imperative. Consistency across digital and physical touchpoints not only strengthens your brand’s recognition but also builds trust and loyalty among your audience. 

Regularly reassess and refine your brand integration strategies to stay in sync with evolving market trends and consumer expectations.

FAQs 

What are the key elements of a successful brand identity?

The key elements include a distinctive logo, a cohesive color palette, consistent typography, a unique visual style, a defined brand voice, and a memorable tagline or slogan.

How can I develop a memorable and distinctive logo for my brand?

To create a memorable logo, focus on simplicity, scalability, and symbolism. Ensure it aligns with your brand’s personality and values, making it instantly recognizable.

How can I integrate my brand identity into my website effectively?

Integrate brand identity into your website by aligning colors, typography, and logos with your brand. Ensure a consistent tone in content and imagery to create a unified online presence.

UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) parameters are tags that you can add to the end of a URL to track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. When someone clicks on a link with UTM parameters, they are sent back to Google Analytics, allowing you to see how many people clicked on the link and where they came from.

Several common UTM parameters are used to track marketing campaigns in Google Analytics:

utm_source: This parameter specifies the source of the traffic, such as “google,” “Facebook,” or “newsletter.” 

utm_medium: This parameter specifies the medium through which the traffic was acquired, such as “CPC,” “banner,” or “email.”

utm_campaign: This parameter specifies the specific campaign that the traffic is associated with, such as “spring_sale” or “new_product_launch.”

utm_content: This parameter is used to differentiate between different versions of an ad or link, such as “banner_a” and “banner_b.”

utm_term: This parameter tracks the keywords used in paid search campaigns.

How to add UTM parameters using Replug?

There are two simple methods to add UTM parameters in Replug:

1. Add UTMs while creating a CTA campaign
2. Add UTMs while creating a Link  

We’ll discuss each method individually.

Method 1:

Add UTM parameters while creating a CTA campaign:

Follow these simple steps to create a UTM through Replug CTA campaign:

Step 1: Create an account or sign in to Replug to access the main dashboard and select campaigns under the manage section. 

Step 2: In the campaigns section, click create a new campaign. 

Step 3: To create a new campaign, you must select a brand first. You may choose an existing brand or create a new one if necessary.

Step 4: Click the next button once you’ve selected or created a brand. 

Step 5: You will now see a page for choosing a campaign type. Choose a name for your call-to-action campaign here. 

Step 6: Select the call to action option from the campaign type page and click the next button.

Step 8: Next, select your CTA type; here, we’ve selected a Link CTA.

Step 7: After selecting the CTA type, you need to select the theme for your CTA. 

Your CTA’s appearance depends on your CTA’s purpose. As for this case, we have chosen a Social (classic) CTA theme to appear after clicking the link.

Note: Read more about the use cases for different theme types to understand which CTA theme is perfect for you.

Step 8: Enter your URL, upload an image for the CTA, and click Next.

Step 9: You are now in the CTA message section. 

Write your headline, message, and CTA button text. 

Step 10: Enter the URL of your CTA  in the last block, and this is the stage where you add UTM parameters to your link. Click add UTM to add UTM parameters. 

Step 11: Now, the UTM section will open, where you can select from saved UTM parameters or create a new UTM preset. 

Step 12: Click create a new UTM preset and fill in the sections you intended to cover in your CTA campaign. 

Once finished filling in, click apply and move to the next step.

Step 13: As you can see, your URL now contains UTM parameters, so click next and finish setting up your CTA campaign.

You can now share the link, examine who clicked on your link, and more!

Let’s move towards method 2 of creating UTM with Replug.

Method 2:

Add UTMs while creating a Link:

Here’s how to add UTM parameters with Replug links.

Step 1: Sign in to Replug to access the main dashboard and select Replug links under the manage section. 

Step 2: Click create new link in the Replug links section.

Step 3:  To create a new link, you’ll need to select a campaign. 

Note: Create a new campaign if you haven’t done so already. 

Step 4: Enter the link to which you wish to add UTM parameters.

Step 5: Now click add UTM to add UTM parameters to your link.

Step 6: Click select from the saved UTM parameter or create a new UTM preset. 

Step 7: Fill in the UTM parameters you want to track and click Apply. 

Step 8: You will see UTM parameters at the end of your link; check them and click save.

Step 9: Your link will automatically shorten. Edit your link, copy it, and share it directly on given platforms or download your link as a QR code.

Your link with UTM parameters is ready to share and track engagements and clicks.

FAQs

How do I add custom UTM parameters for google analytics in the campaign UTM builder?

To add custom UTM parameters using the Google Analytics campaign URL builder, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Google Analytics campaign URL builder page: https://ga-dev-tools.web.app/ga4/campaign-url-builder/
2. Enter the URL of the page you want to link to in the “Website URL” field.
3. In the “Campaign Source” field, enter the traffic source (e.g., Google, Facebook). This will be used to populate the utm_source parameter.
4. In the “Campaign Medium” field, enter the medium of the traffic (e.g. CPC, banner). This will be used to populate the utm_medium parameter.
5. In the “Campaign Name” field, enter a name for the campaign (e.g. summer_sale). This will be used to populate the utm_campaign parameter.
6. Click the “Generate URL” button to generate the campaign URL with the UTM parameters included.

You can then use this URL in your marketing campaigns, and the traffic from these campaigns will be tracked in Google Analytics using the UTM parameters you specified.

Can you add a UTM code to a QR code?

Yes, it is possible to add a UTM code to a QR code. A UTM code is a set of parameters that can be added to a URL to track the source, medium, and other marketing campaign details. By adding a UTM code to a QR code, you can track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and understand how visitors are interacting with your website through the QR code.

To add a UTM code to a QR code, you will need to create a URL with the UTM parameters included and then generate a QR code using that URL. There are several online QR code generators that allow you to create a QR code by entering a URL, such as QR Code Monkey or QR Code Generator.

 

Creating a call to action using a URL shortener can effectively drive conversions and encourage users to take a specific action. Using a URL shortener to create a call to action has a few key benefits.

First, it can make long and complex URLs easier to share and more visually to appeal. Sharing a link in a social media post or on a platform with limited space for long URLs can be beneficial. 

Second, URL shorteners can help to track clicks on a link, which can help understand the effectiveness of your call to action. 

Finally, URL shorteners can make creating custom and branded links easier, which can help build brand awareness and make your link more memorable.

How to create a call to action using Replug?

Use these simple steps to create a call to action that inspires users to take action that will benefit your business or organization.

Step 1: Sign in to Replug or create an account if you’re new.

Step 2: Go to the manage section on the main dashboard page and select campaign. 

Step 3: Click on the “create new campaign” button in the campaign section.

Step 4: To create a new campaign, you must select a brand first. You may choose an existing brand or create a new one if not already been created.

Step 5: Click the next button once you’ve selected or created a brand. 

Step 6: You will now see a page for choosing a campaign type. Choose a name for your call-to-action campaign here. 

Step 7: Select the call to action option from the campaign type page and click the next button.

Step 8: Next, select your CTA type; here, we’ve selected a button CTA.

Step 9: After selecting the CTA type, you need to select the theme for your CTA. Your CTA’s appearance depends on your CTA’s purpose. As for this case, we have chosen a popup CTA theme to appear after clicking the shortened link.

Note: Read more about the use cases for different theme types to understand which CTA theme is perfect for you.

Step 10: Enter your URL, upload an image for the CTA, and click Next.

Note: Recommended size: Width = 920, Height = 1080

Step 11: You can view your CTA side-by-side.

Step 12: You are now in the CTA message section. Write your headline, message, and CTA button text. 

Step 13: Enter your CTA button’s URL or phone number in the last block, and click Next. 

Step 14: You’re now in the CTA customization section, where you can add colors. (Background colors, text colors, CTA button background colors, CTA button text colors). Choose your colors and click next. 

Step 15: In the final step, you will select the seconds, after which the CTA will be displayed to the user. Alternatively, you can select the “On exit-intent” option, which will display the CTA when the user wants to exit the page.

Step 16: Save the campaign; now, you can share it across other platforms. Ensure that your newly created campaign appears in the campaigns section. 

Did You Know?

Replug can also help to track the effectiveness of the CTA, as it offers analytics tools that allow you to track how many clicks the CTA receives. This can help you determine which CTAs are most effective and optimize your marketing efforts accordingly.

FAQs

What are the 3 features of a strong call to action?

Any CTA should have these three key features:

Clarity: A strong call to action should be clear and straightforward so that the reader knows exactly what they are being asked to do. This means using actionable language, such as “click here” or “sign up now,” and avoiding vague or confusing phrases.

Urgency: A sense of urgency can be a powerful motivator, and a strong call to action should convey a sense that the reader needs to take action immediately. This can be achieved through time-sensitive language, such as “limited time offer,” “act now,” or by highlighting the benefits of taking action immediately.

Relevance: A strong call to action should be relevant to the reader and the context in which it appears. This means that it should be tailored to the specific needs and interests of the audience and should align with the overall goals and message of the campaign or piece of content. By focusing on the reader and their needs, a strong call to action can increase the chances of conversion.

What elements are in CTA?

There are a few key elements that are typically included in a CTA:

Action verb: The CTA should include an action verb that tells the reader what to do. Some common action verbs used in CTAs include “click,” “sign up,” “download,” and “register.”

Button or link: The CTA should include a button or link that the reader can click to take the desired action. The button or link should be prominently placed and easy to find.

Benefit: The CTA should include a benefit or reason for the reader to take the desired action. This could be a discount, exclusive content, or a chance to win a prize.

Sense of urgency: The CTA should convey a sense of urgency or time sensitivity to encourage the reader to take action immediately. This can be achieved through time-sensitive language or by immediately highlighting the benefits of taking action.

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Why Your Business Needs a Custom URL Shortener?

How To Build Brand Recognition using Short Links

Remarket your brand with a click of a button – Replug Chrome Extension

 

Link shortener services can create a more memorable and professional-looking URL for your store. A link shortener tool can help shorten the URL of your store’s home page and also help shorten the URLs of individual product pages, making them easier to remember and share.

A link shortener can help create custom URLs with your domain, making them easier to remember and share. They also provide analytics to track your links’ performance and make your store more secure by hiding the link’s true destination.

Here’s how to change the shopify URL, shorten it, share it with the audience, and track its performance using Replug’s link shortener tool.

How to change Shopify URL using a URL shortener 

Step 1: Sign in to your Replug account or create a new one if you don’t have one.

Step 2: Choose a campaign from your dashboard, or create a new one.

Note: For help creating a new campaign, visit this guide: “Create a campaign in seconds.” 

Step 3: Enter your Shopify URL as the destination URL in the “URL to shorten” section below “Select your campaign.”

Step 4: Simply click the create button to create a shortened URL for your Shopify store.

 

Step 5: Now you have your new URL, which will look like the one below in the picture. You can customize this URL by clicking on the edit icon.

Step 6: Enter the new URL you want to use, and your custom Shopify Store URL is ready for sharing on social media. Click on the update button to save the new URL. 

FAQs

Can I change my Shopify store name? 

Yes, you can. You must be the store owner to change your Shopify store name. Log in to your Shopify store, go to the Settings page, and click Store Details. You can enter a new store name into the ”Store name” field.

How do I find a Shopify URL? 

Follow these steps to find any Shopify URL.

Log in to your Shopify store admin. The URL will be in the browser address bar. 

Go to Online Store > Domains in the leading left menu. This will give you an overview of your store domains.

 

Popular Reads:

Why Your Business Needs a Custom URL Shortener?

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Bio Links From Replug: Create a Stronger Marketing Impact while Social Sharing

YouTube URL Shortener-A Must Have For Every YouTuber

Now and then we get to see URLs that are either too long or carries random characters. However, URL shorteners is the magical way to not only shorten a long URL but also to change the URL name and to use the URL as a powerful marketing tool.

Link shorteners do way more than disguising a link, as times have changed, and so does product marketing. Long URL shortener is a reliable tool to change URL length, edit characters, add a call to action, and much more. We can also track and analyze how links perform across all social channels. 

For example, global businesses are now thoroughly based on online marketing and URL sharing. However, with a nasty URL, it is hard to describe what it is about. Unknown and random characters in the URL are suspicious enough not to stray away the receiver from clicking on it.

Hence, custom URL shorteners come in to play. 

Long URL shortener: Use cases and examples 

A good URL shortener will help in two main objectives, simplifying the link with fewer characters and measuring analytics for it. Anyone with internet availability can use a link shortener, from product marketers to small business owners, from Tiktokers to individuals. Everyone can use it anywhere!

Here are some reasons why a link shortener should be an important part of your marketing aspect.

#1:Tesla Incorporating Branded Links

Any URL with your brand name will assure the link reader that it will lead to your page. Link shortening tools make URLs visually appealing and legitimate. 

It has been reported that branded links increase CTR so the companies that go with the changing trends and technologies are adapting.

Elon Musk’s multinational automotive company, Tesla, incorporates branded links when they run social media campaigns. 

Look at the example below.

#2: Fail Army promoting video content

Youtubers are also realizing the power of bio links. 

Fail Army is a popular Youtube channel known for curating funny videos. They also have a massive Instagram following. Their strategy is to use bio links to promote their latest content. These links directly take the user to their promoted content.

#3: Pewdiepie’s merchandize marketing

Here’s an example of how Youtubers are utilizing bio links to promote other content on their socials.

Famous Youtuber Pewdiepie, has a massive social following on Youtube and Instagram. He has monetized his Instagram following by promoting its merchandize store through Instagram bio links.

When any one clicks the bio link it takes them to his online store.  He also share pictures of himself wearing his latest clothing to promote on Instagram.

Related: How To Add Instagram Link In Bio?

#4: G Fuel’s bio link strategy

Gfuel is a famous energy drink and often collaborates with Ninja and Pewdiepie. It is also the official drink of Esports. If you visit their Instagram, they have multiple pictures of their products. Every product description says, “link in the bio.” 

Here is the bio link of Gfuel. 

If you click the link, you will go to the landing page showing exact pictures as on Instagram. You further tap on your target product picture and land on the purchase page. 

This is an easy way of capturing leads to the product page and changing them into conversions.  

#5: Digital branding and marketing

Branded links increase trust and credibility of the URL. 

Below is an example of an unreliable link.

There are ways to make the links more appealing. Create short URLs, in return that can also bring more conversions. 

Instead, this is what you should do.

Editing random and untrustworthy links through shortening tools becomes more genuine and authentic. It is important to edit messy links, especially if you are running digital and social media marketing campaigns.

Related: Bio Links From Replug: Create a Stronger Marketing Impact while Social Sharing:

#6: Podcast marketing

Above image is an example of Jack Paxton’s account. He mentions his bio link, which will be redirected to a page filled with all podcast links. 

Like this: 

Bio links are the best strategy to take your Instagram audience to the podcast library. This is also helpful in collecting emails by adding the “email me” button. 

Use case #7: Amplify your music following

Another feature of the URL shortening tool is a deep link. Deep links redirect you from the URL to the specified screen page of a particular app.  

Spotify is a well-known audio streaming and media provider company. They recently tweeted about a new album and shared a customized link. If you click the link, you will directly go to wizkhalifa’s new album on Spotify.

Related:How to Build a Custom Audience through URL Tracking

#8: Myfix Cycles retargeting strategy to reduce cart abandonment 

Retargeting is a great feature that can bring back visitors that have bounced from your websites. Along with other great features, Replug also gives you the control to retarget visitors through retargeting pixels.

Retargeting has proved to be a great source of converting potential buyers to customers. Link retargeting allows users to target the people who have already visited your social or website.

Most of the eCommerce companies face cart abandonment issues where users leave without completing the purchase. With retargeting, users can remind customers through ads or emails to complete their purchase. Retargeting has proven to be a far more successful strategy to increase conversions.

Myfix Cycles uses retargeting smartly and resells their product that didn’t make the purchase the product the first time around. Below is the image of their retargeting.

Related: How To Utilize Replug for Facebook Retargeting Ads?

#9: A/B test your marketing campaigns

Link analytics plays a very important role when it comes to creating tracking URLs. One of the exclusive features of link shortening tools is A/B testing.

Imagine you are running a specific sales campaign and creating two or more special offer web pages to test which content performs well. 

A/B testing allows you to split traffic and compare performance of each URL on the base of weightages that you set. Finally, choose the page that performs well or optimize the content that underperforms. 

This feature is very handful for designers to test their designs, for content creators to evaluate their content and for every marketer as a whole package. 

Related: Conversion Rate Optimization Tips – 8 Easy Ways to Boost Sales

#10: Deep linking example of text marketing to increase conversion

Deep links in SMS marketing motivate users to install the app. Take the example of a shopping app. Use a deep link with a bonus point which will be rewarded after users install the application. Once the user clicks the deep link, it will launch the app on the relevant system. If it is not installed, a relevant store will be opened. When the user initiates the app, the product page and offer will appear. Without deep linking, these steps require manual processing.

Let’s say you are making an online shop and promoting a certain item; deep links help you direct visitors to relevant content. In case the app is not installed it will take you relevant play store

Deep links are very helpful when it comes to online user experience. Suppose, you are a seller on Amazon, Shopify or any other ecommerce platform and you want to direct the user to specific products rather than search the product on the app or web. With deep linking, no unnecessary steps will be required and you will directly land on the relevant content as shown in the below image.

You don’t need to advertise the app as a whole. Only the relevant content that you want to target and the user that clicks that link will reach the appropriate location without any hurdles. This not only increases the rate of conversions but also improves the overall experience.

Related: How to Use Short Links for SMS & SMS Marketing

#11: Short links are best for Tweets

You have only 280 character limits for tweets to express opinions, use captions, add captions, call out a person, and much more. You can do anything under Twitter’s specified character limit. Brands use URLs while announcing any update, sale, or mega deal. 

Generally, links are overly long, and they tend to cover all Twitter character space. Therefore, people tend to use URL shortening tools to change messy long URLs into branded URLs. 

Here are some brands that have used short & customized links in their tweets. 

Example#Disney

Disney is also making a new series announcement with a customized link in their tweet. 

https://twitter.com/DisneyD23/status/1554150408695586816?s=20&t=mnN3JZJn8pBTfZofu8q7Yw

Here is Disney’s example of using a short & customized links in their tweets. 

Disney is also making a new series announcement with a customized link in their tweet. 

Disney’s customized link is not short only but has the brand’s slogan in it. There are higher chances for the audience to visit links, check new promos, and subscribe to a streaming platform if they haven’t already.

#12: Turning USP realizes the power of bio links for brands

Link shortening tool can change a single link into a beautiful, mobile-friendly, flexible landing page. You can offer the services you want. Pre-designed layouts are available to create a landing page. 

Moreover, you can add videos, images, text etc. to showcase your brand. Drag and drop editor can make everything easy and efficient. 

Here is an example of Turing USP that mentioned their bio link in the Instagram bio. 

#13: Engage more QR code marketing

QR codes are new scannable marketing sources. You can generate a new smart QR code with every branded link you customize with a link shortening platform. 

Download it and use it in your every visual content, such as visiting cards, flyers, or discount codes, as a marketing opportunity to build brand authority. QR codes are a powerful way of amplifying your brand’s slogan.

QR codes promote engagement and interaction. This type of business strategy enables businesses to share information with users.

The calamities like the pandemic and global warming initiatives have pushed us more towards creating a contactless and paperless green environment. While QR Codes are playing a vital and supportive role towards it yet they are also proving to be a great tool for marketing.

From banking payments to promotion or any information and material, it is proving a useful tool for analytics aswell as to improve user experience. 

Here are some ways how you can maximize QR codes to monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns properly. 

• Lands customers directly on the website
• Dial your business number
• Send message/ email
• View business locations
• Download app
• Direct customers to social media pages

#14: Make your social links count!

Similarly length is important for all your social links. A domain name adds more plus points. They provide a clean look. 

Any URL with your brand name will assure the link reader that it will lead to your page. Link management tools make URLs visually appealing and legitimate. 

Look at Gary Vee’s bio link

He uses the bio link to drive users towards his Apple podcast.

Similarly, you can share your favorite content with friends without the installation of a particular app. Let’s say if somebody shared a TikTok video link with you, and you don’t have a TikTok account, you can click the URL and still watch it without installing TikTok. This is the power of deep links. 

You can share your favorite content with friends without the installation of a particular app. Let’s say if somebody shared a TikTok video link with you, and you don’t have a TikTok account, you can click the URL and still watch it without installing TikTok. This is the power of deep links. 

Related: How To Get More TikTok Views?

#15 Perfect Call to Action buttons

Every Marketer’s end goal is to earn high revenue. It gets possible when your product reaches the right audience. It improves your impression and ad rank. 

High CTR means more people seeing, clicking, and engaging with your services. It is all possible with link shortening URL platforms. You can create, edit, and advertise links that have a custom domain name or brand’s slogan. They will be considered authentic and genuine and will attract the right customer. 

#16 Example of media companies using Vanity URLs

Several major media companies and publications use vanity URLs when sharing links:

• Netflix = movi.es
• Time = ti.me
• TechCrunch = tcrn.ch
• Engadget = engt.co
• Huffington Post = huffp.st
• Economist= econ.st
• New York Times = nyti.ms

Related: What is a Vanity URL and How to Track it?

#17: Track, analyze & convert

URL shortening tools empower to make informed decisions by providing vital data points. You can track what content is working best for you and what needs to improvise. 

URLs are trackable and give insights about clicks and engagements. You can also retarget your prospected clients who have already shown interest in your content. 

Campaign analytics help you optimize your marketing efforts. It helps you understand your audience better. You can observe which social media channels drive maximum traffic and design strategies accordingly.

How do I shorten a URL length?

It is a pretty simple process to shorten your links using a URL shortener.

Step 1
Login to your Replug account

Step 2
Navigate to “create quick Replug link”. Enter the campaign and the long URL to shorten. 

1. Now click “Create”

Step 3
In the next step, you can edit the link or change the slug. You can add or remove existing tags. Click the update button and you are done.

FAQs

What is a long URL?

A long URL is a long and nasty address to a particular document or file. They are difficult to remember. Sometimes they are long enough that after copying them on social channels, you don’t have any space left to write details. 

Here is an example: 

All the above URLs have one thing in common, they are long, messy, and have random characters. Therefore, they may look suspicious to some people when forwarded in DM, which makes them avoid clicking it. 

What is too long for a URL?

A URL is considered too long if it has above 100 characters. An overly long URL causes search engine and usability issues. It may also lead to lower CTR (click-through rate). 

Long URL doesn’t display better on the web. An extra-long URL might have symbols and characters. Google doesn’t support an overly long URL with random characters. 

Is it okay to have a long URL?

It doesn’t matter how long the URL length is.  However, with respect to marketing and SEO, the leading brands try to keep them shorter than 100 characters. It makes monitoring easy.
For example:

This URL is 118 characters long, and Twitter has 280 characters limit. So the above link is long enough in itself that it doesn’t leave any space to say anything about it. Furthermore, such link are unappealing and unattractive to share.

Long URL Problems Solved
Shortening long URLs is pretty simple and easy. Brands and celebrities have realized the powerful features that come along with URL shorteners. The use cases and examples have highlighted just. If you are still not convinced, I recommend taking time for an online meeting just might change your thoughts towards URL shorteners. One thing is for sure. a long URL just sucks and drains your online marketing!