We have all used some of the well known URL-shortening services such as TinyURL or Bit.ly. The links you create are small urls that can be sent via email or shared on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. While these links a very handy especially when you need to share it via Twitter they are also anonymous (some visitor don't trust anonymous links) and promote the brand of the service provider.
If you are Google Apps user (if not, why not?) you can create URL shortener with your own (sub)domain. Here are few easy steps to get you started.
1 - Log into your account and go to manage this domain.
- Click on add more services.
2 - Click on See more services from Google labs
3 - Click on Google Short Links
4 - Click Add IT Now in the top right cornet of screen
5 - Select a sub-domain on the next screen.
For example if you are using EXAMPLE.COM with Google Apps you will need to select a url for your url shortening service. something like. MyLinks.EXAMPLE.COM.
6 - One you save your preference you will need to create a subdomain and point it to Google. So log into your account at your domain registrar (Godaddy, 1and1 etc.) and create the same subdomain as MyLinks.EXAMPLE.COM and create a CNAME record and point it to ghs.Google.com
(If you are using Google Apps you have already completed these steps to setup you email etc. Now you just have to repeat the same thing to create this URL shortener)
7 - Once you are done you will be taken to the screen where you can shorten any url using your own domain name.
8 - You can the link to this service to your browser's bookmarks toolbar. Drag and drop this link to the address bar of the URL yo want to shorten. Click Add short link or Hashed link to get a short based on your own domain.
Now when you share a link people will trust it more and they will trust it more and feel comfortable clicking on it and It should also help build your brand if you like to brand your website.
Here is one I created with my own URL shortener
http://url.rajdhaliwal.com/sodff
Comments(2)