I’ve been toying with the thought of using “branded” short URLs for awhile now.
What’s a short URL, and why use one?
Short URLs take lengthy web page addresses like:
http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/the-seller-didnt-submit-my-offer-to-the-bank-on-a-short-sale/
and “convert” them to something significantly shorter. This is quite useful in applications that limit the number of characters you can use, such as Twitter and text messages.
There are several services that shorten URLs – bit.ly, tinyurl, and many others. And they work just fine.
But I wanted a short URL that “brands” Phoenix Real Estate Guy. I’ve had the domain name TPREG.com (The Phoenix Real Estate Guy) for awhile and never done much with it. Since it’s only 5 characters, it lends itself well to a branded short URL. All I needed was a relatively painless way to create short URLs.
Google, naturally, has an application to do just this.
You’ll need a Google Apps domain, and the ability to change MX and add CNAME records to that domain. It’s not as complicated as it may sound, Google will step you through it. However, unless you’re comfortable with changing these things and understand roughly what they are doing I highly suggest trying this first on a test domain, not your primary one. Changing MX records can really jack up existing email. Most of you won’t have email going to a short URL anyway, but better to be prudent than blow up your email account.
Cost for setting this up is zero.
The Google solution is pretty slick. It tracks clicks on shortened links (VERY useful) and has an API for those more technically adept than me.
An example of the branded short URL for this post is:
Which is significantly shorter than:
Is creating a branded short URL worthwhile? I dunno. But it only took about 10 minutes, so I figured it can’t hurt. You’ll see them popping up on my Twitter page, and anywhere else that long URLs are a pain.
Hat tip to Dustin Luther for finally motivating me to get this done.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
You could do this, but it will ruin any SEO you have going for that page. There’s-a-reason-why-urls-look-like-this!
Keywords in your url is a GOOD thing. 001 tells search engines nothing. I say keep the long URL.
Jack –
The original, wordy URL is still there, and is the original post’s URL. The short URL just a 301 re-direct to the long URL. Should have no affect on SEO.
Jay is right and the reason for short urls it to use in a tweet , Facebook post, etc. where space is limited.
You’ll always get my attention with cool gadgets. Will need to brainstorm whether I actually need this – there are so many other solutions – including those with built in stats like Hootsuite, so I’m not sure.
You got my attention though and I did read this in its entirety – including the comments. Like I said, sucker for cool stuff!:-)
.-= Denise Hamlin´s last blog ..Students with Parents as Co-signers May Qualify for the Homebuyer Tax Credit =-.
There are plenty of other options Denise. All this does is “brand” your short URL. The stats are limited (for now) to click throughs.
I like it as even if it isn’t effective and strengthening, having branded short url will atleast distinguish your company in the eyes of some consumers. My short url is mnlak.es (our company is Lakes Sotheby’s and our url is mnlakes.com…Not perfect but the best that was available).
.-= Craig Mische´s last blog ..On Lake Miltona =-.
I’ve used TinyURL custom links for a while but this lets you make them completely personalized. Easier to tweet listings and such in small spaces. “It’s a good thing.”
´s last blog ..Bullhead City View Property For Sale – 1291 Ramar Plaza – AWESOME VIEWS! =-.
.-= Candice
Been doing this for awhile with the Pretty Link plug-in for Wordpress. Much more cohesive for branding than the other 3rd party choices IMHO.
theJEMgroup.com/001 isn’t as short as TPREG.com/001, but it all leads back to my main site, so I figure it’s a good thing.
Thanks Jay – I did know you could do that. Definitely interested in looking into it!
Katie
Jay, that is so useful and pretty cool…I think you might of been a techie in a past life. I hate to admit it, but I never would of thought of that little trick, but obviously you and Google did
!
.-= DJ Morris´s last blog ..Abacoa Real Estate Scams in Jupiter, Florida =-.
Thx for the hat tip… I’ve been using this google app for a little while and really like it as well… Not sure if you notice, but there’s also a bookmarklet available on the backend that you can drag to your link bar of your browser that makes it super conveinent to create a short URL when visiting a page…
.-= Dustin Luther´s last blog ..Publishing from my phone??? =-.
Yep, love the bookmarklet!
Jay, great post.
I’m curious, are you using the paid version of google aps and what other features of it are you using?
Keep up the great work!
.-= Joe Manausa´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
Joe –
Just the free version. I’m a big Gmail, Calendar and Google Docs fan, but this is really my first venture into Google Apps.
I don’t know. I like msn, yahoo and google. Just can’t make up my mind to commit to any one of them. But, google does seem to come up with some pretty neat stuff. Thanks for telling me about it.
Sounds like a good idea Jay and thanks for taking my calls last week and your good advice about IDX vendors.
I’m very happy with DS thus far and am almost finished the rough skeleton of my new site listed here.
.-= Graham Ginsberg´s last blog ..Naples Grey Oaks Golf Condo =-.
Great Idea and really appreciated!!
I have no guides on how to optimize short URls. Thanks for the info.
Interesting idea, but by doing tht won’t you lose “Brand Recognition”? Your url is also a great way for people to identify you.
Hmmm… I’ve been thinking of using short URLs. Any additional thoughts on this since this was posted? My only thing is the branded short URL isn’t very memorable, but I guess that’s all that can be done due to length restrictions.
I have been trying to find information about which link shortening service is better for tracking results of tweets etc. (which led me to this post) I had no idea about the Google Apps option. It seems there is no end to what you need to learn everyday to keep up. I like that with Google I’m in control. The branding idea is interesting I will give it a try.
I’m surprised you choose a dot-com and not a foreign TLD. For instance, phx.to is available for $50 a year. See http://www.tonic.to
I didn’t know google offer such a thing, I always used tinyurl… google will rule the net some day, all they need to do is to buy facebook.
Have you tried this yet? Have you had any success? How could we do this with our website http://www.5movers.com I’m curious about it.
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