Are you looking to design a custom short URL for your blog?
Short URLs customized by the user are typically short URLs with a brand name that is simple to recall and easily shared. We utilize myblog.in for our customized short URLs that are branded by us.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to design personalized shorter URLs for your website easily.
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ToggleWhy Use a Branded Customized Short URL in WordPress?
You may have noticed that famous websites such as The New York Times, Twitter, Facebook, and TechCrunch use branded URLs for social media.
The New York Times uses not.ms, TechCrunch uses tcrn.ch, the domain name to create shorter custom URLs.
Domain names branded with a logo are referred to as domain hacks.
These are created through the combination of the name of the brand and an appropriate domain TLD. It allows them to create a name for a brand.
Because most websites utilize .com as their principal domain, this can be an excellent way to make one-line URLs to your WordPress website.
Creating your own shorter URL can increase branding recognition with your customers. Additionally, it allows you to make shorter URLs that you can use to allow for simple sharing on social networks.
In addition, you can effortlessly monitor the URLs for the number of clicks you receive by sharing a URL.
In the meantime, let’s explore how to make your personal branded short URLs with WordPress.
NOTE: We recommend the Pretty Links plugin if you’re trying to make unforgettable short URLs with your primary domain. It’s what celebrities and top YouTubers utilize to highlight short links within their videos.
Step 1: Buy a Short URL or Short Domain Name
Most of us don’t possess a URL short as the primary domain. It means you’ll have to create a new domain name smaller than the current one.
For example, when we chose the branded domain mybloggingidea.com, we also registered myblog.in. The result is a URL six characters than the primary domain.
Various free domain generators are available that let you automatically generate domain name ideas.
Domainr is a domain that specializes in assisting you in locating short domains by using domain hacks.
Explore different combinations and new strategies to create your brand’s name.
If you find the domain that best meets the requirements of your business and is accessible to register, you can do so at any of the most reputable domain name registrars.
We suggest using Domain.com. Domain.com is the most trusted domain registrar on the market.
Other domain registry companies include Network Solutions and GoDaddy.
The cost of domain registration is dependent upon the TLD that you pick. These TLDs are higher than other brand-new TLDs.
After establishing your domain’s name, you can control it via your domain registrar control panel.
Step 2: Setup Your Custom Domain in Bitly
Bitly is an incredibly popular URL shortener that lets you control and monitor hyperlinks. It is used to shorten our WordPress URLs and control them.
The first step is to sign up for first a Bitly account. At a minimum, you’ll require a Basic plan that allows you to utilize your domain to allow link shortening.
Once you’ve completed the sign-up and sign-in, you’ll access the Bitly account’s dashboard.
In this section, select Account Settings> Custom Domains menu and click the Add a Domain button.
In the next screen, you’ll be presented with the option to purchase the domain name of your choice or to use the domain you own.
Click on Would like to ‘use my domain name’ for the next step.
After that, enter the domain you just bought.
Then click the “No, this is an unused domain Option ” and click next.
You will now see the option of choosing the selection of groups.
Read more: What is Automated Inventory Management System And How it Works.
Bitly lets you organize your domains, links, and users into groups. It lets you restrict the access of certain domains to particular users.
Select All groups for your domain that you want access to any group.
Afterward, you’ll be asked to connect DNS records on your domain name before proceeding.
This window can be left open to continue with the next stage.
Step 3: Set DNS A Record to Point to Bit.ly
For you to make your custom, branded short URLs, it is necessary to redirect your domain’s URL to Bitly servers.
To do this, you must include DNS records on your personalized domain. DNS records are instructions for pointing your domain’s name to the appropriate servers.
Discovering DNS records that you must be able to add to the Bitly site is possible.
There are two kinds of DNS records you can include.
You must create A records for root domain names (e.g., myblog.in).
However, if the custom domain is a sub-domain (e.g., abc.mybloggingidea.com), Then you’ll have to fill in the CNAME records.
To add records, go to the domain management section of the domain registration site of the registrar you use and search to find DNS records.
If you have followed our suggestions to register your domain at Domain.com, You can see the DNS and Nameservers settings in the left column.
Navigate to the DNS Records tab and click the “Add DNS Record ” option.
Then, you will see an open window where you have to fill in the required information.
- Hostname in the Name field
- Choose A as the Type
- Cut and paste the Bitly IP address.
- Select 1 hour below the TTL.
Select the Add DNS button to save your DNS settings.
If you’re making use of a subdomain, for instance, abc.mybloggingidea.com, then you’ll have to create a CNAME record to redirect it at cname.bitly.com
After you’ve added DNS records, you can change back to the Bitly site and then click the Add Domain button.
You will now receive a notice that your domain’s settings have been verified.
Bitly will examine your domain’s DNS records. If everything appears in good order, you’ll get an email with a notification.
Step 4: Set up a Short URL on Your WordPress Site
The greatest benefit of Bitly is that it allows you to quickly manage, share and keep track of your short URLs via your WordPress website.
One of the first things you’ll need to do is to install and activate Bitly’s WordPress plugin.
After activation, you go to Settings > writing page, then scroll through the ‘WP bitly Shortlinks’ area.
Just click the Authorize button, and allow Bitly to connect to your WordPress website.
Once you’ve connected, you can select the types of posts you’d like to make short links for. Under that, you can select the default domain that was added previously.
Make sure to hit the Save Changes button to save your preferences.
Read more: How To Start A Pet Blogging And Make Money Online.
This plugin is now making your custom short URLs. They can be viewed when you visit the Bitly dashboard.
The plugin also shows the BitLy statistics for every blog post. The stats can be viewed when editing your post and looking for WP Bitly’s meta box.
It allows you to keep track of how many times the quick URL for this article was clicked on and what websites.
This post has helped you learn how to make unique short URLs using WordPress.
I am a professional Blogger, SEO Expert and Affiliate Martketer. I shared my idea and thoughts about blogging etc.