When you shorten a URL, the resulting link often consists of a long string of random characters. While these links are functional, they can be hard to remember and don’t convey much about the content they link to. One way to make your short links more user-friendly is by creating custom slugs. A custom slug allows you to personalize the ending of your short link, making it easier to remember and more descriptive.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to create custom slugs for your URLShortly short links.
Step 1: Log in to Your URLShortly Account
To get started, log in to your URLShortly account and go to your dashboard. From here, you’ll be able to manage all of your short links and make changes, including creating custom slugs.
Step 2: Create or Choose an Existing Short Link
If you want to create a new short link with a custom slug:
Click on the Create New Link button in your dashboard.
Paste the long URL you want to shorten in the provided field.
As soon as the link is created, you can proceed to the next step to create a custom slug.
If you already have a short link and want to add a custom slug:
Go to the Short Links section in your dashboard.
Click on the link you want to edit.
In the link settings, you will find an option to customize the slug.
Step 3: Create a Custom Slug
Once you have your short link ready, you can create a custom slug by following these steps:
In the Slug field, you will see an auto-generated random string of characters (like
xyz123).To create a custom slug, simply delete this random string and type your preferred word or phrase.
Your custom slug can be anything you like, as long as it doesn’t already exist. For example, you can set the slug to something descriptive, like
my-special-offerorproduct-launch.Make sure the slug is easy to remember and relevant to the content you’re linking to.
For example, if you are linking to a special promotion, you might create a slug like:
Step 4: Save and Use Your Custom Link
After creating your custom slug, click Save Changes to finalize your short link. Your new, personalized link will now be active and ready for sharing.
You can now share the link via email, social media, or anywhere else, and people will easily recognize and remember it due to the clear, descriptive custom slug.
Step 5: Test Your Custom Link
Before sharing your custom short link with others, it’s a good idea to test it to make sure it works correctly:
Copy your custom short link.
Open a new browser tab and paste the link in the address bar.
You should be redirected to the original long URL, confirming that the link works.
Benefits of Custom Slugs
Creating custom slugs for your short links offers several advantages:
Easy to Remember: Custom slugs are easier to remember than random strings of characters, making them ideal for sharing in emails, social media, or print materials.
Branded Links: Custom slugs allow you to include your brand name or key message, which helps reinforce your brand identity.
Improved User Experience: People are more likely to click on and trust a short link with a descriptive slug.
Better Analytics: Custom slugs give you the ability to track specific campaigns or products more effectively, helping you understand which content is performing best.
Tips for Creating Effective Custom Slugs
Here are some tips to keep in mind when creating custom slugs:
Keep it Short and Sweet: While you want the slug to be descriptive, it’s also important to keep it short and easy to type.
Use Hyphens: If you’re using multiple words, separate them with hyphens (e.g.,
summer-saleinstead ofsummersale).Avoid Special Characters: Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens for the best compatibility across different platforms.
Stay Relevant: Make sure the custom slug relates to the content it links to. A relevant slug will increase click-through rates and engagement.
Brand Consistency: If you’re using custom slugs for your business, try to maintain consistency in the slugs you create. This will make your links more recognizable and professional.
Example Use Cases for Custom Slugs
Here are some common scenarios where custom slugs can be beneficial:
Marketing Campaigns: If you’re running a marketing campaign, you can create slugs like
spring-sale-2025orbuy-one-get-one-freefor easy tracking and recognition.Event Invitations: Share links to event invitations with custom slugs like
exclusive-event-2025orvip-inviteto make them stand out.Product Promotions: For product promotions, create slugs like
new-arrivalsorlimited-time-offerto highlight special deals or products.Social Media Campaigns: Share links with campaign-specific slugs such as
#summer2025orwin-big-contestto drive engagement and track success.
Conclusion
Custom slugs offer a simple yet powerful way to personalize your short links, making them more memorable, user-friendly, and relevant to your audience. By using custom slugs, you can improve your branding, increase click-through rates, and track your campaigns more effectively.
Start using custom slugs today to create links that are not only functional but also meaningful and easy to share!