Blogs and Views

There are two options that you might want to use to shorten a URL while maintaining your site brand. You can also use track visitor/user activity more easily than with services such as TinyURL.com and Bit.ly.

Shorty – This is installed in a subfolder of your primary domain. You update a configuration file with your database information. It includes a secure control panel and gives you three ways shorten the target URL.

GoCodes – This is a plugin for WordPress. It is installed into your plugin directory and controlled by a small control panel found in your Tools menu (if you are using the latest version of WP).

Both services shorten lengthy URLs and help you maintain brand. However, if you have a long domain name (such as BlogsViewsandBlues.com) it won’t save you much real estate on services such as Twitter and Facebook. It will, however maintain your brand. If you are only sharing links for others to visit sites such as YouTube, MySpace and such then it might be best to stick with the third-party services.

Blues

Buckwheat Zydeco
“Ninth Place” (mp3)
from “Lay Your Burden Down”
(Alligator Records)

More On This Album

The theme music for Blogs, Views, and Blues was created by Chainsaw Dupont. The tune is called “Funky Foot”. Find his music at ChainsawDupont.com and at the Podsafe Music Network. Original guitar interludes are by Rich Palmer.

Blogs, Views, and Blues is also sponsored by GoDaddy.com. Visit today and use coupon codes blu16 or pod16 to receive up to 10% off your web hosting and/or domain name needs.