How to create a custom short URL for your blog

Why use custom short URLs in WordPress?

Famous websites like The New York Times, Twitter, and TechCrunch use custom short URLs to share links on social media. For example, The New York Times uses nyti.ms and TechCrunch uses tcrn.ch.

Using a custom short URL helps enhance brand recognition and makes links easier to share on social media. It also allows for tracking the number of clicks.

Steps to create a custom short URL

Step 1: Buy a short domain

• Since main domains are often too long, you can purchase a shorter domain that aligns with your brand, such as WPBeginner using wpbeg.in instead of wpbeginner.com.
• You can use domain name generation tools like Domainr to check for available short domains, then register the domain through providers like Domain.com, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.

Step 2: Set up a custom domain in Bitly

Bitly is a popular link shortening service that allows you to manage and track links.  You need a paid account to use a custom domain.

• Sign up for a Bitly account and go to Account Settings > Custom Domains.
• Click Add a domain and select  ฉันต้องการใช้ชื่อโดเมนของตัวเอง
• Enter the domain name you purchased.
• Set it so that all groups can access it (select "All groups").
• Proceed to the DNS setup step.

Step 3: Configure the DNS system to point to Bitly

You need to add a DNS record to point to Bitly.

• If using a primary domain, such as yourdomain.com, add an A record and set the IP Address as specified by Bitly.
• If using a subdomain, such as link.yourdomain.com, add a CNAME record and set it to cname.bitly.com.
• You can manage DNS from your domain provider, such as Domain.com or GoDaddy. Then, go back to Bitly and click Add domain for the system to verify.

Step 4: Create an app in Bitly to connect with WordPress

• Go to Settings > API in your Bitly account.
• Click Register new app
• Name the app and add your website URL.
• Press Save and Generate token
• Copy the Access Token to use in WordPress.

Step 5: Set up a short URL on the WordPress website

Install the Bitly URL Shortener plugin in WordPress and follow these steps:

• Go to Tools > Codehaveli Bitly
• Enter the Access Token obtained from Bitly and click Save Changes.
• Press Get GUID to retrieve group data from the Bitly account.
• Enter your short domain in the Domain field.
• Select the type of post you want to enable (Post and Page)
• Press Save Changes

How to use short URLs in WordPress

Once the configuration is complete, you can create a short link by:

• Go to Posts > All Posts and click Generate URL.
• Edit the post and create a link from the Bitly Panel at the bottom of the Editor.

If you use Bitly's paid plan, you can view click reports and analyze data from the Analytics page in your Bitly account.

Using custom short URLs helps your brand stand out and track links effectively. I hope this article helps you set it up easily