U.to
From uCoz Wiki
u.to is a URL Shortening Service
Contents |
Why is it needed?
There are a lot of reasons. They include using of shortened links in microblogging services where message length is limited, and in all cases when you want to know how your link “works”, i.e. whether it is interesting for users, and if yes – how much. You can track easily what links are popular both on your website and on any other website where you have no other tools to find out this information. With the help of this service you get a short alternative URL that is easier to use and to remember. The service can be also useful from the point of view of SEO, as it helps you decrease the number of external links from your website. Besides, usage of shortened links lessens the possibility of errors when copying links, especially extremely long – missing of one or two characters can make the link non-working.
What specific features does u.to have?
1. Integration with uCoz – the possibility to use this service in all entries without any additional actions.
2. A very short domain that is easy to remember – it lets you make links for Twitter and other services even shorter.
3. Statistics. All you need is to register (or just log in with your uNet account data) and statistics will be counted for all your links shortened via u.to – clicks, browsers, countries etc.
4. u.to gives you the possibility to edit a shortened URL. The service offers you two variants of shortening. The first one is constant and is formed automatically, while the second variant can be modified – you can add what you think is necessary:
The link becomes longer but now you can distinguish it from similar links shortened via u.to
Decide yourself whether to use this feature or not.
5. The possibility to use tags for links. If you create a lot of shortened links, this feature will make their grouping and selection by the necessary tag easier.
How do you work with the service?
The work with the service is extremely easy. All you need is to paste the necessary link into the field on the main page of the service and click "Shorten now…".
You will get a shortened link immediately, and will be able it to use it wherever you want. Note that an alternative shortened URL and statistics are available for authorized users only. If you have a uNet account you do not need to register at u.to – all you need is ti log in using your uNet account (email + password).
For logged-in users:
For ordinary visitors:
You can do the following actions with the added links:
- delete
- edit
There is one more useful feature – selection of URLs for a definite domain. E.g. you often use the service to shorten links to Google search results, and you need to see all of them – click the necessary domain on the list of shortenings and the system will show all shortened links for this domain.
