Would you click that? Some might think it looks ugly, suspicious, and downright rubbish. Conclusively, the click-though-rate (CTR) may struggle. Therefore, it’s better to use Bitly to convert that into this short-looking web address: Chances are CTR will improve. But it isn’t promoting the brand–Geekflare–behind it. That’s a significant loss any new-generation marketer would try to avoid. So I made that into two custom branded URLs: While both have a personalized slug (/amazon), the second is better since it allows you to use: –Your brand name (geekflare) without any punctuation in between –A custom TLD (.offer) depicting the purpose Both the web addresses in the preceding image are called custom branded URLs or vanity URLs–easy to remember and pronounce. This also proves handy for advertising. As people can comfortably recall, share & follow your brand–something impossible with extremely long URLs or using just a URL shortener (like Bitly). Moreover, a custom branded URL is useful when using traditional media like TV or a banner at a physical store or the airport to advertise your product. You can show a URL with your brand name so that people can visit your page as soon as they see your ad. For example, Autodesk uses a short URL autode.sk. Conclusively, it’s best to purchase a separate branded domain for marketing and use a link management solution afterward so that all your campaign URLs can start with your brand name.
What is Link Management?
Link Management is a way to generate, share, track (branded) links to increase link trust with the end goal to boost conversions. But these are only some generic aspects; link management is way more than just creating short, branded URLs. Here’s how they can help you:
Custom Link Redirect: This assists you in sending your leads to different landing pages according to their location, device, age, gender, etc.Retargeting: This is particularly useful to win back the abandoned carts. As evident by the name, retargeting follows your users who left your website without purchasing. It tracks permissible browsing data to show offers relevant to them, thereby increasing your sales.Data Tracking: Marketing without tracking and analysis is often a waste of substantial resources. Most link tracking platforms give you insights that help you cut redundant efforts.Link Rotation: Sometimes, a particular link goes viral. This presents a perfect opportunity to use that to sprinkle the clicks all across your valuable content hosted on various platforms.A/B testing: This technique is a method to check what’s working and what’s not. You can use A/B testing to split click traffic between two endpoints and track conversions. This is a robust method to optimize landing pages, Call-To-Actions (CTAs), etc.
With these perks in mind, let’s start with some of the best link management platforms:
JotURL
JotURL calls itself an all-in-one link management solution. JotURL’s branded URL solution lets you create links for social media sharing and helps you avoid link penalties. It also allows you to get higher CTR via its custom link preview feature. Features:
Branded LinksCustom QR CodesLink PreviewCustomized CTAsPersonalized DomainsConversion Tracking, AnalysisUTM Builder & MangerURL Downtime MonitoringInternal Linking to Boost SalesExternal Linking to Supported applicationsRetargeting SupportSingle Link to Popular ContentWhatsApp Interactions without Phone Number
The best part with JotURL is the presence of a 14-day free trial. Afterward, you can choose any subscription based on your particular requirement.
Rebrandly
Rebrandly will have more takers simply because it has a free-forever plan. Rebrandly lets you create your own branded URL right on its own site. It requires no coding experience, and you can purchase your custom domain right on Rebrandly without the need to visit a separate domain name seller like GoDaddy. Features:
Link Management CollaborationSingle Multiple DomainsCustomized Analytics and ReportingTargeted Deep LinkingLink RetargetingAuto Link ExpirationVanity URLTraffic Routing based on user behaviorBranded QR Codes from LinksCustom Domain and SlugCreate and Save UTM PresetsBulk Link Creation & EditingEmoticons Supported LinksWhitelabel Reports
Besides, Rebrandly experts can advise you to maximize ROI with them. In addition, they help you with the initial setup and import of the existing links. And there are numerous case studies on their website; you can check how Rebrandly worked out for them.
Linkly
Linkly is a URL shortener, link management, and tracking utility. Linkly lets you create vanity URLs, but you need to purchase the vanity URL from Godaddy or Namecheap. It requires a bit of technical expertise to get the branded URL campaign up and running. Features:
Custom Link RedirectRetargeting Pixels SupportUse Personal DomainsBranded QR CodesUTM Tag BuilderCustom URL with SlugLink Rotator for Selective RedirectionsClick Fraud ProtectionConversion TrackingGoogle Sheets ExportBitly Import Integration
With the always free plan, you can track 1000 links/month with all the available features. Moreover, all paid plans have a 14-day free trial.
LinkTrackr
LinkTrackr focuses on link monitoring to help you analyze revenue sources and plan accordingly. LinkTrakr allows unlimited branded URLs. It can be used to cloak all your affiliate links with your brand URL. You will need to purchase your brand URL externally. Features:
Link Tracking & AnalysisSales and Leads MonitoringAffiliate Link CloakingAd & PPC TrackingPixel Tracking ServiceLink RotatorA/B Split TestingCustom Domain
While all can use it, the platform seems interested in helping the affiliates by allowing accurate tracking of the visitors. There are a good amount of video tutorials for beginners. However, there is no free tier. Instead, you get a 30-day risk-free guarantee on the paid plans.
GeniusLink
Features: With the long list of features and a 14-day free trial, Geniuslink is an excellent tool to generate and monitor tracking links. Another noteworthy feature is no lock-in, so you can normalize your links instantly without needing to use any other tool. Conclusively, the plans are very economical to start with, especially if you can function without a custom domain.
Socxly
Socxly is a link creation, marketing, and tracking tool. It has a free plan which lets you create 300 links per month and also 10 banners for various campaigns. It allows you to create short URLs and a QR code, which will help get traffic via offline sources. Features:
Link ShortenerUTM SupportLink Search & FilteringQR Code GeneratorLink PreviewTrack and Reward ReferrersCreate Referral/Affiliate CampaignsBranded CTA ButtonsCustom RedirectMultiple Links per BannerGenerate Traceable File LinksSet-up Retargeting PixelCustom Domain and Slug (Add-on)
Socxly’s feature list makes it a complete tracking link generator and link management utility suited to eCommerce and any online marketing venture. In addition to the long list of features, there is an always free plan with the exact same attributes barring some negligible limitations.
RocketLink
You can use RocketLink for link shortening and retargeting to grow your brand. RocketLink lets you create vanity URLs that can be edited at any time. You can add or modify UTM parameters as per your campaign requirements and change the destination URL of your vanity URL multiple times. Features:
URL ShortenerLink RetargetingCustom CTAPersonalized Scripts & ThumbnailsCustom 404 RedirectsCreate QR CodesVanity URLUTM BuilderCustom DomainClick Analytics
With RocketLink, you can be seen everywhere. Its custom scripts ensure user engagement even when they leave your website. Undoubtedly, this is retargeting at its best. Besides, you have a custom domain with even the base tier without additional payment. And finally, there is a 10-day free trial with every subscription.
Capsulink
Capsulink is a feature-packed brand link generation, tracking, and analysis platform. It is a platform purely focused on short URL management. It lets you create branded URLs and also offers a URL shortening API to integrate the feature directly into your website. You will, however, need to purchase your custom domain from Name.com. Features:
URL Shortening APIEditable Slugs & Destination URLQR Code GeneratorEmail ShortenerCustom Domains and SlugsEmoji SupportCross-Platform TrackingTrack Email ConversionsPassword Protected LinkBitly ImportLink Analysis
Right away, there is no good reason to avoid Capsulink. First, it has a free tier. In addition, every subscription comes with a 7-day free trial. Moreover, there is a 100% 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. And finally, they offer discounts to academic institutions and non-profit.
LC.CX
LC.CX is made in France link shortening, customization, and tracking web-utility. It lets you create brand URLs and QR codes for the same, which will help you track offline campaigns, like in-store banners, TV ads, etc. You also have the option to use their API to integrate the URL shortening feature into your own platform. Features:
URL ShortenerCustom TargetingExpiring LinksDetailed ReportingBranded QR CodesPixel RetargetingCustom Domain & SlugAPI Support
There isn’t a free tier. However, you can try LC.CX with their free offer of 100 short links with one custom domain.
Sharest
Sharest’s link management capabilities are to empower agencies and resellers, although it has a solo plan as well. Sharest allows branded URLs in its paid plans. It has multiple plans for marketing agencies for running large-scale client campaigns. Features:
Auto Link Creation and SharingEmbed & TrackCustom DomainsPersonalized ScriptsRetargeting PixelsBranded CTACustom CodeInteractive QuizzesWhite Label Interface
Sharest subscriptions are best suited for professionals, as they come with unlimited everything. There is no notable difference among different tiers. However, white labeling and client support are obviously not available in the solo plan. Sharest also has an unlimited-features free tier that only skips over a custom domain, whitelisting, and client management.
Conclusion
There are so many link management solutions with a free tier that it simply doesn’t make sense to pay, especially if you’re a first-timer. However, even the paid ones (mostly) have cash-back free trials. Conclusively, these tools are way more than an average URL shortener. They are complete marketing solutions–because everything starts with just a click. But you know, marketing is a tough battle to win alone. So, we have these marketing automation software that will help your business grow.
