Services like Bitly, TinyURL, and ClickMagick allow users to take their big and ugly affiliate links and turn them into short and tidy URLs. But are these services really the best option for affiliate marketers?
In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of link shorteners and offer a better way to shorten your links.
The Pros and Cons of Link Shorteners
Pros
There are some clear benefits to using link shorteners, including their ease of use and trackability. Shortened links are also often free to create.
- Turn long URL into short URL
- Turn ugly URL into nice sounding URL
- Create memorable URL
Cons
However, there are some major downsides to using these services that affiliate marketers should be aware of.
- You don't actually own your link
- If the link shortener service changes its program or terms, your link could become dead
- Link you shorten is actually building up the various sites of the link trackers you are using
- Some link shorteners can be quite expensive based on traffic volume
Is There A Better Way To Shorten Links?
Subdomain Redirects
One option is to use subdomain redirects or PHP redirects, but these methods can be complicated and difficult to track. All you need is a Redirection Plugin like:
- WordPress Repository
- Redirection
- Safe Redirect Manager
- Quick Post Redirect
In WordPress, setting up a subdomain redirect involves creating a new subdomain and then using a plugin to redirect it to your affiliate link.
Once you have installed and activated the plugin, go to the plugin settings and add a new redirection rule.
In the source URL field, enter your subdomain URL, and in the target URL field, enter your affiliate link.
Save the changes, and the plugin will automatically redirect anyone who visits your subdomain URL to your affiliate link.
Learn More: How link shortener companies make money