Skip to main content

Add Some Shortening

Not every web URL has a neat and orderly path string. With some links you can wind up with up a ton of characters that are impossible to remember and take up way too much space on a line or lines of text. But beyond the aesthetic issues with some links is the unknown. Did someone actually click on it? So, just like pastries, when it comes to links, we want to add some shortening.

Pastries by Andrea Kirkby is licensed under CC by 2.0

Now, when it comes to shortening URLS, there are a few solutions out there.  Here’s a handful of URL shortening sites available for free on the web:
Goo.gl
Ow.ly
Bit.ly
TinyURL

With these tools, you not only have the option to shorten an URL (I pronounce it as Earl) but you can also tap into some level of analytics. They can offer link tracking to count clicks. You don't have to wonder if visitors or an audience are actually interacting. I personally like Goo.gl as I can apply the analytics and create a QR code equivalent if I ever need to use that feature. Last year, I did an office scavenger hunt using QR codes and it was really fun.

But please, check these out and let me know which one you prefer to take on the job of creating an alias link.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lunch Bytes: 05

With all that we are gifted from the open resources community, how can we contribute and give back? Fortunately, Creative Commons has provided a tool that both serves the commons and is engaging enough for the end user to pony up. With this, the Web 2.0 Test Kitchen is taking a moment to praise CC and stock the commons with our own content. The List , is a Creative Commons developed application that allows users to snap some pics and directly upload. Under the GNU license, it’s a free program for all. You’ll just need a smartphone that meets the technical requirements. As soon as you install and open the app, you'll see the Creative Commons CC logotype. You're in! Once, the app opens you’ll be prompted as to the current needs of Creative Commons with a request for a specific type of subject matter. For example, “Creative Commons needs a picture of…”. You have the choice to accept, move to the next request, or hit "done". All items selected will fall un...
2 comments
Read more

Lunch Bytes: 03

Since we’re on the topic of Creative Commons this week, the Web 2.0 Test Kitchen will be showing off some free apps that can help you work with content. So, let’s say that you've just downloaded an image(s) from Flickr and you’re ready to remix the content but don’t have a raster graphics editor. You don’t have to shell out $150 for Adobe Photoshop Lightbox or subscribe to their monthly plan whilst contributing to their $4.795B revenue steam. Go to Pixlr, as they offer a free web-based application that meets most of the demands of its pricey equivalent. You can start using Pixlr as soon as you land on the site. This is one of those rare times that I’ve tested an application, where the proprietor does not require you to fill out any forms to get started or to receive your file. There are two accessible releases on the site. The Express version allows you to do simple alterations, resizing, overlays, and add borders while the Editor flavor of the app allows you to complete more...
1 comment
Read more

Lunch Bytes: 04

I’d like to introduce you to another “freebie for the people” resource. Imagine that you’ve created a first-rate multimedia asset, more specifically, a video or podcast. The video has excellent narration, transitions, titling, or the podcast has clear vocals, but you’re missing that special something. What could it be? You know it! It's the emotive and compelling sound of music. In today’s Web 2.0 Test Kitchen, we’re tuning-in to a music repository for your awesome eLearning digital media. Finding music that is free of copyright constraints and in an immediately accessible format can be a daunting task. Fear not, the Free Music Archive is here to help us out. You can search this vast library of .mp3s that have been curated by actual music mavens that work in the industry. This is where you can find just about any score for your video or podcast, and hold the attention of your audience. Don’t know where to start? You can filter your searches by curators, genres, and how ...
Post a Comment
Read more