Have you ever want to use your own customized short url on social networking site like Twitter, Facebook or Google+. Many brands using this method to enhance their branding experience. By using Bitly.com you can own this customized url shortener service for free for personal use. A custom short domain is the domain that takes the place of “bit.ly” in a shortened URL. If you were to use “myname.me” as a custom domain, instead of appearing like this:
bit.ly/1kYCxKE
after customization your links would appear like this:
mltimes.me/SmTCmz
A custom short domain is a way to brand your links across the web! For example, The New York Times uses “nyti.ms” as a custom short domain and like we use ModernLifeTimes uses “mltimes.me”.
Let’s follow steps to get your customize short url:
Step1: Buy a Short URL
Domain can only be used for your shortened URLs*. Domai.nr is a great place to begin your search, and 101domain has lots of exotic short domains for sale. Your short domain name needs to be 15 characters or less (including the dot). You can buy short domain name from any domain registrar you wish we have bought our short url from BigRock.in india’s number one domain and hosting provider.
Step 2: Setup Custom Domain in Bit.ly
Signup on Bitly.com and create your profile before proceeding further you have to verify your email address to get started with advanced custom url setting.
After verifying your email id you can now proceed to ‘advanced setting’ to customize your short url. You have to choose ‘personal’ for getting your free custom short domain, if you want to get more advanced features then you have to go with ‘business’ plan but this not a free service. So we prefer go with personal for this time.
After clicking on personal you will have to add your short domain name and add it and after that you have to verify it by following next step.
Step3: Create a DNS record for your domain
DNS update varies depending on your domain registrar. In general, the process goes something like this:
- Log into your domain registrar’s website.
- Select the custom short domain you want to modify.
- Find the section for managing DNS entries. The name of this section varies, but is usually something like “DNS Configuration,” “DNS Records”, “Advanced DNS,” “Total DNS”, “Host records,” or similar.
Step 4: Set an A Record to Point to Bit.ly
Edit the existing A record for your site and change the IP address to 69.58.188.49 If there is no existing A record (which is uncommon), add a new one. The A record’s “host name” should be either the character @ or your base domain (both mean the same thing). You should only have one A Record. If you have more than one, remove all others and leave only the one pointing to bitly’s IP.
Step 5: Verify your Website on Bit.ly
After done all above steps you have to verify your short domain sometimes it takes 48 hours to DNS to propagate so wait and then verify it. You will get your your customize short domain added in your account you can now use it as default url shortener. Redirect your short domain to your full domain url and save it. Now you have successfully implemented your new short domain url in your bit.ly account.
Install Bitly plugin on your WordPress (Self-Hosted)
Search for ‘WP Bitly’ and you will get it and install it and follow the step as mentioned.
You will have to get OAuth Token to get started with this plugin on your site You can simple click on the text and enter your bitly password to get your token. Copy and paste it.
You will have bitly short url service on your wordpress site. Now you can quickly get your customize short url link by clicking on (View Bitly Link)
Install Bitly on Tweetdeck
Open Tweetdeck and Goto -> Settings -> Services -> Choose your link shortening service to bit.ly. Write down your Bit.ly username and Bit.ly API Key and save it. Now your links will be tweeted with your new short domain url.
Check our custom short domain in action
Create Your Own #Custom Short #URL for Your Website | #ModernLifeTimes http://t.co/g1dz2kO6BG #tips
— ModernLifeTimes (@ModernLifeTimes) June 1, 2014
