Why Every Marketer Should Use URL Shorteners in Email Campaigns
Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in the digital marketing world. But if your email is filled with long, ugly URLs, it can harm your user experience and reduce your click-through rate. That's where URL shorteners come in — they make your emails cleaner, smarter, and more trackable. Here's why every marketer should use short URLs in their email campaigns.
✅ 1. Cleaner and More Appealing Emails
When readers open your email, the first impression matters. Long URLs with parameters look technical and confusing:
❌ https://example.com/product?id=123&campaign=summer&medium=email&utm_content=footer-link
✅ https://urlshortly.com/summer-sale
Short URLs make the email look more professional and easier to read. A cleaner layout increases the chances of your email being read and clicked.
✅ 2. Better Click-Through Rates (CTR)
Long, messy URLs can scare readers — especially when they’re not sure where the link will take them. With a branded short link, your users are more likely to trust and click.
Example:
🔗
https://shop.yourbrand.com/deals
A short, trustworthy link builds confidence, leading to more clicks and conversions.
✅ 3. Advanced Tracking and Analytics
Most URL shorteners provide built-in analytics, allowing you to track:
Who clicked the link
When the link was clicked
Which device or browser was used
Geolocation of the user
These insights are gold for marketers. You can use this data to improve future campaigns and understand user behavior more deeply.
✅ 4. A/B Testing Made Simple
Email A/B testing is a common practice to determine what kind of subject lines or buttons get the best response. But testing different URLs for each version is easier when you use a URL shortener.
Example:
Version A:
urlshortly.com/email-a1
Version B:
urlshortly.com/email-b1
After sending out your test campaign, you can check which short URL got the most clicks and use that version for your main campaign.
✅ 5. Track Multiple Campaign Sources Separately
Sometimes you send the same link in:
The body of the email
A CTA button
The footer
Using different short URLs for each location helps you track which one performs best. This lets you optimize link placement and design for better results in future emails.
✅ 6. Easy to Manage Dynamic Links
Let’s say you sent an email promoting an offer, but the landing page later changes. If you're using a traditional static link, you can’t change it after sending. But with a dynamic short URL, you can update the destination even after the email is sent — without changing the link in the user’s inbox.
This feature is incredibly helpful for managing mistakes or adapting to new promotions.
✅ 7. Brand Awareness Through Custom Links
If you use a custom domain in your short URLs (e.g., https://go.brandname.com/offer
), you're not just sharing a link — you're also building your brand.
Every time someone sees that short link in your emails, they associate it with your brand. Over time, this builds familiarity and trust.
✅ Final Thoughts
Email marketing is already powerful — but by adding URL shorteners, you multiply its potential. You get cleaner emails, better tracking, easier testing, and more branding opportunities. Whether you're running small newsletters or enterprise-level campaigns, URL shorteners like URLShortly.com are a smart, must-have tool for every serious marketer.