When creating short links, sometimes you may want the links to expire after a certain period. This can be useful for limited-time offers, promotions, or links that should only be valid for a short time.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of setting expiry dates for your short links using URLShortly.
Step 1: Log in to Your URLShortly Dashboard
To get started, log in to your URLShortly account. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to sign up first.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll be directed to your dashboard, where you can manage all your short links and analytics.
Step 2: Create a Short Link
If you don’t have a short link yet, you’ll need to create one before setting an expiry date. Follow these steps:
Go to the Short Links section of your dashboard.
Click on Create New Short Link.
Paste the long URL that you want to shorten and click Create Link.
Now you have a short link ready to be customized.
Step 3: Set an Expiry Date for Your Short Link
Once your short link is created, go to the Short Links section and find the link for which you want to set an expiry date.
Click on the Edit or Settings option next to the link.
Look for an option called Expiry Date or Set Expiry.
Select the expiry date and time you want for the link. This is the time after which the link will no longer be accessible.
You can set an expiry date for hours, days, or months.
Save your changes.
Now, the short link will automatically expire once the set date and time have passed.
Step 4: Handling Expired Links
Once a short link expires, it will no longer be accessible, and anyone trying to visit the link will be redirected to a page informing them that the link has expired. You don’t need to manually deactivate expired links.
If you ever need to extend the expiry date or change it, simply go back to the link's settings and update the expiry date.
Step 5: Monitor Expiring Links
If you’ve set expiry dates for several links, it’s a good idea to monitor them. URLShortly provides you with an option to see which links are set to expire soon or have already expired.
In the Short Links section, check for an Expiry Status column.
Links with upcoming expiry dates or already expired links will be shown here.
This allows you to easily keep track of your time-sensitive links and make any necessary changes before they expire.
Step 6: Best Practices for Setting Expiry Dates
Here are some best practices to consider when using expiry dates for your short links:
Use for Promotions: Expiry dates are perfect for promotions, special offers, or limited-time events.
Don’t Overuse: Setting expiry dates for every link can become cumbersome. Only use it for links that truly require time limits.
Notify Your Audience: Let your audience know that the link will expire soon. This can encourage them to act quickly and create a sense of urgency.
Conclusion
Setting expiry dates for your short links can be extremely useful for time-sensitive content or promotions. With URLShortly, it’s simple to set and manage expiry dates, ensuring that your links only remain active for as long as necessary.
Now that you know how to set expiry dates for your links, you can start managing your time-limited offers more effectively and automatically!