We all sometimes find ourselves in need of an easy-to-use, secure URL shortener. Long links are inconvenient, ugly, and absolutely visually revolting. Google disabled its proprietary shortening platform a few years back. Finding an effective, intuitive shortening service has become everyone’s trouble ever since.
Everyone working on the Internet can appreciate a good custom link shortening site. Cropping URLs is widely used by marketing, analytical departments, businesses, private shops, programmers, and bloggers. Everyone can be beneficial from a trustworthy, reliable app that crops links. Smaller URLs reduce consumed traffic. So, they are easier to memorize and share. Are you intrigued?
Each seeker has unique goals and requirements that such a shortening platform must comply with. Some people need branded short domains, others look for more visually pleasing ones. This service’s functionality greatly affects the site’s attractiveness to potential users.
How It Works?
There is no engineering miracle behind such platforms. Basically, they take a long link and magically make it smaller. Usually, the longer version is saved on the platform's servers. The link you’re getting is a link to a link. That’s the core idea. Thanks to such nature, services offer various additional functions. Analyzing traffic and clicking, embedded call-to-action, local redirecting – that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
1. T2M URL Shortener
The first place in this improvised ranking is solely occupied by T2M. This URL shortener offers all you can wish for and even more. When compared to its competitors, the benefits become noticeable. It’s priced lower, is easier to operate, and offers a better feature-to-dollar rate. Making personalized short links has never been so easy!
What can it do? It is easier to name what it can’t! The list of features is longer than the American Constitution! It includes such positions as an unlimited number of shortened URLs, customizable links, QR codes, UTM builder, powerful analytics, custom domains, etc. The list goes on.
The platform is equally useful for regular people and business owners. Its readable dashboard gives all necessary information in a clean, concise way. Its friendly support team is ready to assist in solving any issue in the shortest time. If we had only one word to describe this platform it'd be “superlative”.
2. Bitly
It is a business-grade platform that is almost as good. This platform offers nearly identical functionality but for a noticeably higher price. It surely has a free account but its functionality is fairly limited. Bitly allows comprehensive tracking options such as clicker’s location and link shares.
Many users online point out its lesser effectiveness for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Interface, despite being modern, isn’t easy to navigate through. Again – finances. It’s just too expensive if you’re not planning on analyzing hundreds of different parameters. For giant companies, it’s perfect, yet for smaller ones, it is definitely a pass. Service surely has a free package but its usefulness is abysmally small. Basic functionality? Sure. Something complex? Get ready to pay a top dollar.
3. BL.INK
Full-fledged, adult-level shortener BL.INK is great for small business owners who can cope with paying 4 dozen dollars each month. Its feature set is admirable for the price. It offers numerous tracking options and link personalizations. If you’re planning on tracking or coordinating promotion campaigns, it can be your choice. BL.INK is good for multiple users, domains, dynamic links, advanced tracking, and all that. The question remains – Are you fine with spending almost $600 each year on link lessening?
4. Short.io
This one is a true stalker. If you thought that other services give enough data about people – this one takes that to another level. It can track a visitor's location, device, or preferences and send specific links. This opens new possibilities for personalization and targeting. Being able to specify how iOS or Android users behave, correlate with their location, and then optimize content to accompany their needs is nuts! Such amazing abilities can become yours for only $20 a month! That’s a steal!
5. TinyURL
It is probably the most widely used platform after Google. It has been freely cropping links since 2002. Yet in 20 years of loyal service, it didn’t manage to become something more. It's the absolute best for making small links for one-time use. Its limited utility makes it rather bad for businesses or companies. If you’re ready to put out for only ten dollars a month, it allows branded domains and tracked links. Compared to features you get at competitors for that money – it is absolutely outrageous!
What to Choose?
To make it easier for you – the first position is the best one. It’s clean, user-friendly, and has great functions and capabilities. You’re always welcome to try all the proposed services yourself. All of them have unique strengths, weaknesses, pros, and cons. If you choose wrong – don’t worry. You can always come back to the T2M shortening service.
If you need more suggestions, don;t forget that you can find a bunch of suggestions in our Blog. Anything from LMS software for small businesses to importance of content writing, you will find a lot of valuable guides.
Rachel R. Hill is a real educational devotee. She prides in writing exceptional general guides while listening to every need of students.
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