WordPress URL shortener plugins are a great way to add a link-shortening service to your site without coding it yourself.
This post will examine the best WordPress URL shortener plugins available for free and paid versions.
We will also examine some of the pros and cons of each plugin so you can decide which is right for you.
What are URL Shorteners?
URL shorteners are tools that allow you to create customized shortened URLs. Bloggers and social networks often use them to develop easy-to-remember URLs.
You can use a URL shortener to make links easier to remember and share. For example, you could use a URL shortener to create a custom URL for a blog post, article, or social media post.
Then, when people click on the shortened link, it takes them directly to the original page.
When someone clicks on the custom link, it redirects them to the correct page. This process allows tracking how many times each link gets clicked.
Best WordPress URL Shortener Plugins
1. Pretty Links
Pretty Links is one WordPress URL shortener plugin you should try. It allows you to cloak and shorten ugly links, making them look appealing and readable.
You can even watch every click on your link and get a detailed analysis of their origins.
With Pretty Links, you can add cloaking functionality to any existing post or page on your site. All you have to do is paste the code into your text editor and save it.
If you want to ensure your visitors don’t see the ugly URL, choose “Hide;” you have complete control over it.
You can also set up redirect rules to change old links to new ones. The plugin includes many options to customize the appearance of your links, such as adjusting colors, fonts, and sizes.
Moreover, you can control how long your shortened URL stays visible on the screen in your admin panel.
There are some downsides to PrettyLinks, however. For one thing, the plugin doesn’t work with every theme.
Also, there are no mobile apps available. But overall, PrettyLinks is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to make their site look good.
2. URL Shortify
URL Shortify is one of the best WordPress URL shortener plugins out there. This plugin lets you create beautiful custom URLs that are easy to remember and type.
You can even track how well a link performs across social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
This plugin can disguise messy links if you know what you’re doing. You’ll notice that the link looks similar to the original link. But now, anyone trying to find the link won’t see the full URL.
The plugin makes it super simple to add tracking code to your links. Enter basic information into the settings panel in your admin dashboard, and you’ll start seeing analytics reports.
These track statistics include how many people clicked on your link, where they came from, and how often they visited your site afterward.
And because this URL-shortening service works seamlessly with other WordPress plugins, you don’t have to worry about creating extra workflows.
You can set up automatic redirections, send emails, and do anything else with another plugin.
Lastly, you can password-protect your links to prevent others from accessing them.
3. Thirsty Affiliates
ThirstyAffiliates is another plugin that makes adding affiliate links to your site without entering them easily.
This tool lets you create short links on blogs, social media platforms, forums, and anywhere else.
You don’t even need to know HTML. All you need to do is paste the link code generated by ThirstyAffiliate into your post editor.
The script works like magic and makes shortening your ugly affiliate links easy.
You can see how many people clicked on your links and what percentage of those clicks resulted in sales. This information gives you insight into your affiliate marketing campaign.
The script also provides a detailed report about your links. For example, you can find out how much money you’ve earned and how many clicks you got daily.
4. WPBitly
WPBitly is among the best WordPress shortener plugins that manage your site’s internal shortened URLs. Like other plugins, these URLs shorten lengthy web addresses into something easier to remember.
This link shortener plugin gives you control over how your shortened links work. You can set up different links, such as campaign, redirect, and custom links.
You can even add a list of domains you want to exclude from shortened links. This feature is excellent for keeping your brand off of potentially malicious sites.
Further, the plugin includes a built-in analytics dashboard that tracks how people interact with your links.
You can see what type of traffic each link gets, where it goes, and how much it costs you per click.
5. ThemeShop URL Shortener
The ThemeShop URL plugin is the last on our list of the best WordPress shortener plugins. You can use it to shorten long URLs into short ones, making them easier to remember.
Also, you can choose to display the full URL or the domain name. You can do that if you want to keep your shortened links hidden.
This plugin offers extra features like tracking statistics, automatic 301/302/303/307 redirections, and more.
Conclusion
You should consider using the best WordPress URL shortener plugins listed above for many reasons. They’re all great tools that make managing your website’s links easier.
