What is a URL Short link and how to use URL Short links on CallHub?

Users running political and non-profit campaigns need to share URLs with their supporters. These URLs may link to a candidate’s page to collect funds or a fundraising page for non-profits. But sending direct URLs or shortened URLs has caused some problems that affect campaign performance.

1. URL shorteners are not reliable and are often marked as malicious by carriers (examples: bit.ly, goo.gl).
2. Sending long URLs makes the message longer.
3. There is no way to track results after the link is sent.

To solve these problems, CallHub has added the URL short links feature. With this, you can shorten a link, use it in a campaign, track conversions, and run follow-up campaigns with the results—all in one place.

Shortening long URLs helps reduce the message length. This also saves credits because fewer segments are used when sending campaign messages.

A shortened URL will usually include the site’s address and a custom back half with a unique 5–6 digit code.

Custom Shortened URL 

A shortened link is almost similar to the original URL. E.g., The original URL is https://callhub.io/pricing/en-US, the custom URL can be
https://chub.io/US.

Custom URL helps display more elements than the generic URL. For example, in a custom URL, you can display the brand you are running the campaign and the purpose of the campaign. This helps you create an impression, and users are more likely to click on the link. Further, increasing the conversions as well.

URL Short link on CallHub campaigns

URL short link is available with Text Broadcasting, Peer to Peer texting, and Call Center Texting campaigns. 

How to create a shortened URL?

Shortened URLs can be created from the Script section during the campaign creation process. While we mainly focus on the script, we also allow shortening URLs for Saved replies in Peer Peer Texting, Automated responses based on Keywords for Text Broadcasting campaigns, and Automated/Manual Texting for Call Center campaigns. You need to click on the "Shorten URL" section to start shortening a URL.

Enter the link you wish to shorten. Here, you have a few more options, such as "Contact Tracking" and Personalization using Merge tags. The option to personalize a shortened URL is available only for Contact tracking URLs. Let's discuss this under Click-Through Rates.

On clicking the "Next" button, the system displays the Target URL and the Shortened URL that will be sent in the messages to the contacts. 

Click "Confirm" to confirm the shortened URL. You cannot edit the shortened URL once it is generated. 

Once the URL is set up in the script section, the message will display the URL's title. However, the actual link will be sent to the contact. 

Post this, you may complete the remaining steps to set up the campaign and click on START to start the campaign and send the messages to your contacts. Click on the link to know more about how to generate reports for the URL short links.

Create a ticket with Support if you have any queries or concerns.