Anytime an individual is going to use some type of resource to help them with a task or enhance their business, they have to make informed decisions. This applies to those who are interested in using URL shorteners. It all begins with having at least a basic understanding of what these are and the benefits they provide. If the benefits are going to be of value to those who want to use them then they are worth investing it. It now means making a choice from those that are considered to be the best.
Resources Available
There are different types of URL shorteners available that include plugins, open source codes, and companies that provide these services. These are all great, but they present the challenge of which one to use based on which ones are the best. This is determined by the wants and needs of the user and is based on what features are being offered.
The Original Purpose of URL Shorteners
These were created out of a necessity to shorten links that were too long. Most give the credit to Twitter for creating the need for these. However, since then, the use of them has grown into providing many additional benefits besides just the shortening.
The Capabilities of URL Shorteners
With the progression of technology, these resources are now able to provide:
- Link branding
- Retargeting
- Use of a URL builder
- Tracking and analytics
Knowing the capabilities helps to determine if a URL shortener is going to provide enough value to make it worth using one. If this is the case, then it comes down to making the choice of which one is best. It means focusing on which one has the best capability of meeting the following requirements:
Features:
The user is going to want to know what features are being offered as well as how beneficial they will be to a particular user. Every user will have their own specific wants and needs.
Price:
It is possible to get some URL shorteners for free, but there usually is a compromise for doing this. Most often it means limited features.
User Base:
A user wants to deal with a company who is providing this service that has a proven track record for being credible. This can be partially determined by the provider’s user base in regards to how many customers they have. Also, how long they have been in business is a good indicator of their reliability.
User Friendly:
The links that are being generated by the shortener have to have a good flow as well as design to them.
Customization:
Customization should be an easy process.
3 of the Best Url Shorteners
Bit.ly
For those looking for the most established URL shorteners, then they will be looking for Bit.ly. Among the many features some of the most important are the ability to instantly track the stats. Then there is the option for vanity URLs for brand building.
This service is being hailed as being the world’s largest URL, shortener.
Rebrandly
For those who want to really use a shortener beyond the purpose of link shortening, then they may want to consider Rebrandly. It is considered to be one of the best for link branding and management.
Ow.ly
For those who are familiar with HootSuite, then they may be aware of their URL shortener. It can be used as a stand alone, or alternatively when on the HootSuite platform either in web or mobile version.
Pros and Cons
All three of these are going to offer you the majority of the same features. Each of them will have some uniqueness to them that defines them from their competitors. They will each have their pros and cons. You, as the user have to decide which of the unique features are going to provide you with the most benefit. Then take a look at the cons and see how much of an effect these are going to have on you. This will then allow you to make an informed decision. You can use the same criteria for any of the shorteners that you may be looking at.
Cost Factor
Something else to keep in mind is that many of the shorteners are free to use, but each one may have an escalated version that comes with a price tag. For example bitly is free but there is a version that can be paid for that is sometimes utilized by small to medium businesses as well as large corporations. It has been indicated that the cost for the paid version can be around $995. a month. One of the benefits that come with the paid version is being able to use vanity URLs.
Ow.ly also has a free version but their page version comes with some advanced features. This is in the Owly Pro version. It allows for custom branding, more detailed analytics, reports and custom URL parameters.
When looking at opinions of what are the best shorteners, everyone that is familiar with them is going to have their own opinion. It will be based on their specific wants and needs. For example aside from these three mentioned there are several others. Some that are much easier to use and don’t require a membership or a log in to access them. They are basic, but that may be all that a user requires.
Narrowing Down Your Choices
By deciding what your specific wants and needs are it will help you decide on the right shortener for you.
You may not need a lot of link clicks. If you require less than 2,5000 and only need around 500 or less links per month, they you do not need a paid service.
You need to build the experience of working with links and shorteners first before opting into a pricey service. Although there may come a time that this will be the most beneficial to you.
Having a good amount of knowledge about shortened URLs will set you up for better success at using shorteners and also for making the right choice of which service to use.