A webpage url is the link you need to input to a web browser to visit a particular website.

The domain name refers to the web address of a site. Let us compare it to a house for better understanding. Each house (website) has its room to visit each content (such as House > Content). In a similar way, to visit a particular webpage on a website, you should have the Web Domain > Specific Page.

If you add the categories, tags, and dates which are sometimes added to website URLs, the link becomes very long.

For comparison:

Common Webpage URL: https://superiorstudyhabits.com/10-superior-strategies-to-top-the-board-exam/

Extremely Long Webpage URL: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-13-inch-256GB-Storage/dp/B08N5LNQCX/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2Z9XQJH7KJQ2P&keywords=macbook+air&qid=1633024800&sprefix=macbook+air%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=exampletag-20&linkCode=sl1&linkId=1234567890abcdef&language=en_US&currency=USD

Shortened URL: https://shorturl.at/tHVBj

If you are to choose, which is best?

Common webpage url (not too long) remains a good choice for better retention. But a shortened URL is needed when the URL is extremely long.

Overall, it is advisable to shorten URLs when you are sharing them on social media regardless of common or long. In this article we’ll explore 5 URL shorteners for cleaner links.

But what is a URL shortener?

What is a URL Shortener

URL shorteners refer to tools that transforms a long web address and converts it to a much shorter, more manageable link that directs to the original one.

If you are a website owner or blogger, and aware on the importance of how a good URL should appear, your web address should be on the common category. URL shorteners may be used when sharing links on social media sites to make it appear minimal.

There are URL shorteners that are free of charge and provides the basic feature to shorten URLs. On one hand, if you want more functionality such as having a data to track link clicks, custom campaign-level tracking, deep linking, QR codes, custom landing pages, and more; then, you may consider subscribing to a premium plan.

How to Use a URL Shortener

Here is how to use a URL shortener. As an example, we’ll be using Shorturl which is the one that I am using as of posting.

First, copy the of the webpage of the blog post/article.

Thereafter, head over to the Shorturl website (https://www.shorturl.at/)

Paste the URL to be shortened at the text input field. Then, click Shorten URL.

Copy the shortened version of the URL.

Congratulations, you have successfully shortened a URL and ready to share the link to your friends.

Shorturl.at

As mentioned earlier, the URL shortener that I am currently using is ShortURL.at by NameSilo. Top reason why I am using it is because it is free of charge, and shortening links does not ask you to create an account.

The service is provided by NameSilo. A company engaged in domains, webhosting, SSL, and e-mail.

Service promises to help you shorten, share and track your URLs.

• Shortening URL is easy and fast regardless of size, paste your long link and get your shortened link
• Links are fast and secure through HTTPS protocol and date encryption. Links containing viruses, malware and those trying to disseminate spam are deleted
• Provides statistics on the number of clicks on shortened links

TinyURL

This is another popular service to shorten URLs, this tool is the one I’ve been using prior to discovering ShortURL.at. Similarly, it trims URLs for free, and you can use it even without an account.

TinyURL platform is trusted by big brands around the world for creating links that are safe, reliable and never expire; the company says on their website.

While it provides URL trimming service for free, they also offer premium plans. Paid plans increases the number of links that can be shortened per month, number of trackable links and the use of branded domains.

Branded domains in their plan means you can register or use a domain you already own and use it as the domain in the shortened URL outputs.

Bit.ly

Bit.ly is the first thing that easily comes to mind of many when it comes to URL shorteners. It is the most popular. If you see a shortened URL shared on social media, there’s a huge chance it was using the service of bit.ly.

Due to its popularity, the company’s free tier has been reduced to providing 5 short links/per month, custom back-halves/month, and unlimited link clicks. This limitation is too small, and you definitely need a premium subscription to enjoy what bit.ly has to offer.

Short.io

There’s another way to shorten URL, and it’s through a subdomain. Instead of shortened urls appearing like domain.com/link, the shortened urls appears link.domain.com. And that’s the kind of service offered by Short.io

With the free tier of Short.io, you can use 5 custom domains, 1,000 branded links (limits are issued once, not lifetime), 1,000 link automations, and more. You can increase these limitations by upgrading to their premium plans.

They also offer shorten URLS in bulk, password protection, mobile targeting, edit a destination URL, set up link expiration, and configure short deep links for Android app.

Rebrandly

Rebrandly is a powerful link management platform for businesses and individuals who want to enhance their link branding capabilities. The platform claims that it’s a smart link platform that boosts click-through rates by 39% while helping you prove campaign ROI.

Shortening URLs is free and does not require sign-up. Nonetheless, shortened links in free plan is limited to 10.

If you want more, consider subscribing to premium plans.

Final Thoughts

If you are a blogger, affiliate marketer, social media manager, or a working professional on the web, URL shorteners is one of your best friends at work.

This will help make URLs shared on social platforms appear neater and professional.

There are many URL shorteners on the internet, and many offers premium plans if you want advance features. But for bloggers who are starting on their career, or those simply looking for URL shorteners – basic – there are many free options.