Short URLs With Analytics

Pete Prestipino — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:37:00 GMT

The problem with using short URL services such as TinyURL is that you can't really tell how effective they are (how many people click on them) much less where they have been seen on the wider Web. In a time when analytics is so important, I believe that services such as Cli.gs (which offers short URLs with traffic statistics) will eventually become the norm.

Cli.gs enables anyone to create a short URL from a longer one. Web pro's will not be able to keep the information private unless they register for a free account (which is quick and painless). I created a "clig" for the WM weblog (http://cli.gs/jjgsry) which shows all the post that are public on WebsiteMagazine.com. Analytics are kept for 30 days. What's helpful at Cli.gs are the depth of the reports. Users can see the latest activity from search engine bots on their Cligs short URL, mentions on social media sites like Twitter and inbound links to the destination URL. There is even a handy little bookmarklet available which creates shortened links on the fly.

'Net Features : cligs

Short URLs With Analytics