How to Create a Customized Short URL for WordPress Blog
Customized short URL for WordPress blog can increase the amount of traffic that your site gets. The reason for this is because a short URL is easier to remember and type. You don’t have to worry about repeat customers not finding your blog simply because web address is too long. In this article, we will be taking a look at the things you need to do when creating a short URL for your blog on WordPress.
Buy short URL
The first option you should consider is that of buying a short domain name. Considering you might not have a short URL for your blog, you might want to buy a short domain name to use as your primary domain name. To create a customized short URL for WordPress blog using this method, you will have to shorten your domain name then register the shortened one. For example, if your current domain name is WPBeginner.com, you should consider shortening it to WPBeg.com. You should then register the shortened domain name and use it as your primary web address.
Regardless of how long your domain name is, there are many free domain name generators that you can use to automatically get suggestions on a shorter version of your domain. Make use of them. You should also not be afraid to try different combinations of your domain name. The goal here is to register a domain that is not only easy to type but one that is easy to remember.
Setup on Bitly
The second option you need to consider to create a customized short URL for WordPress blog is to setup a domain in Bitly. This is a URL shortner service. The first thing you will need is to create an account. After that, go to the Advanced Settings>>Branded Short Domains then add the custom short domain name. There are instructions on how to setup DNS A records and how to point them to the Bitly servers. Once you are done, click on ‘Verify’.
Once that is done, you have to set the DNS A record to point to Bitly. For this, you have to visit the domain management area of the domain register’s site and search for DNS records. If you are using GoDaddy, you will find that under ‘Domains’. Add the IP address that you copied from the Bitly website as A records under the DNS. Once you do this, go back to Bitly and click ‘Verify’. If there is an error, wait a few hours then try again.
The final step is to install WP Bitly plugin. Activate the plugin and scroll down to ‘WP Bitly Options’. Configure the settings and connect Bitly to your WordPress website. Don’t forget to provide an access token by visiting Bitly then going to Settings>>Advanced Settings. This will redirect to a new page whee you provide the login details to your Bitly account. Copy the login details to the WP Bitly plugin on WordPress. Save changes and you are done.