Automated Dreams

Use Case

How to Optimize Engagement with Personalized Shortened Links

Shortened links are bad for email marketing. Your bulk emails will end up in spam folders if they contain such URLs. However, they remain crucial for link distribution strategies in other marketing channels.

For instance, shortened links are the best for a bulk SMS campaign if you plan to ask recipients to fill out a form while needing as many characters as possible to fit in a persuasive copy.

Shortened links are also the best to share in in-person and online events as they are easy to remember.

With tools like Bl.ink and Bit.ly, you can create short, customized links and QR codes for marketing presentations.

In this use case, we discuss how you can personalize shortened links further, streamline how you collect and manage recipients’ data, and track the results of your link distribution efforts by integrating Zapier with your link shortening tool.

First, what are the gains?

3 Advantages of Personalizing Shortened Links Using Zapier

Advanced Tracking and Analytics

A Zapier integration with your link shortening tool and other analytic tools will help to track your links’ performance. You can learn user behavior and the effectiveness of your campaigns from a comprehensive dashboard.

Multiple Customization Options

Personalized links can include custom aliases and branded links. This reinforces brand recognition and makes the links more user-friendly.

Improved Engagement Rates

Adding personalized shortened links to SMS blasts can lead to an increase in engagement rates. Users are more likely to click on links that are tailored to them and provide prefilled information.

How to Personalize Shortened Links Using Zapier

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Set Up Your Link-Shortening Tool

Create an account with tools like Bl.ink or Bit.ly. Subscribe to a paid plan to access the customization features.

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Gather the Links to Shorten

Create a spreadsheet with the original URL column and a corresponding shortened link column. Add all the channels you plan to distribute the links to have a robust report.

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Integrate with Zapier

Set up a Zap in Zapier, integrate your tool, and automate the personalization process by running the long URL through the shortening tool and adding the shortened link to its corresponding contact record. Add Personalized Links to Your Marketing

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Collaterals

Whether presenting a slideshow, sending out SMS blasts, or distributing business cards, add the link and/or QR code to your content for easy access.

Key Learnings

  • 1

    While link shortening is generally discouraged in email marketing, it is effective in specific use cases such as SMS campaigns and in-person events. Understanding when and how to use personalized shortened links is crucial for maximizing their benefits.

  • 2

    Personalizing links with prefilled information significantly enhances user experience and engagement. Users are more likely to interact with content that is tailored to them and requires minimal effort to engage with.

  • 3

    Personalized shortened links improve the accessibility of URLs. They are easier to remember, type, and share. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios with limited space or where quick access is needed.

  • 4

    The versatility of personalized shortened links makes them useful in both digital and physical marketing contexts. They facilitate easy access to information during events and presentations and enhance user interaction and participation.

Conclusion

Personalized shortened links can improve the results of your marketing campaign. They enhance user engagement and streamline the implementation process. Integrating tools like Bl.ink or Bit.ly with Zapier helps to create trackable and branded links that enhance user experience.

If you’d like to delve deeper into how Zapier can help personalize your links and streamline your distribution strategies, book a free call with one of our marketing automation experts. We’d be happy to help.