How to Shorten a URL

What is a URL. URL stands for "Universal Resource Locator". In other words a URL is the address to your website, blog or article. The URL is the address in the search bar at the top of your web browser. A URL is what other people also use to type into the web browser search bar to be directed straight to your website, blog or article. By now everybody knows that a URL is the web address of your website, blog or article. This is pretty straight forward. You may be asking yourself, why in the heck would I want to shorten a URL? I will be glad to tell you. Not only are there significant benefits to shortening a URL, some URL shortening tools will actually pay you for the effects of shortening your URL. Yes it is true that long URL web addresses have less benefits than short URL web addresses. The benefits of a short URL can mean a significant difference in your search engine ranking difference. Keep reading below to learn the benefits of shortening a URL and how you can shorten a URL.

The benefits of having a short URL compared to a long URL are simple and straight forward. The benefits can make a big difference with your website, blog or article. Here is just a few of the benefits that a short URL address will bring your website, blog or article.

• Easier visibility for the search engines.
• Good standings with the search engines.
• Easier for the search engines to find and rank your site.
• Easier to include when marketing your site in social sites such as twitter.
• Easier to include within signatures.
• Allows you to track your website, blog or article.
• Statistics show that people tend to click on shorter URL web addresses.
• Short URL addresses can be easier to remember.
• Short URL addresses can be easier to type without typos.
• Short URL addresses are easier to market, promote and advertise than long URL addresses.
• Short URL addresses are great for email marketing.
• Short URL addresses are great to use for sub-domain name sites such as Blogger.com and other sub-domain sites to shorten the URL address.
• The major search engines will overall rank shorter URL addresses over longer URL addresses.
• It costs nothing to shorten a URL address.
• Some URL shortening tools will actually pay you for shortening your URL.
• The bottom line is that short URL addresses have to many positive benefits not to use them.

The big picture is that it is just easier to use a short URL web address over a long URL web address. As stated, not only do the search engines love short URL addresses, the search engines will rank short URL addresses over long URL addresses as long as the website, blog or article is properly optimized.

There are many many free online tools and websites that you can use to shorten a URL address. Some of these free URL shortener tools will actually pay you to short the URL address. Here is some of the better short URL tools and websites.

• Goo.gl. URL short tool
• Bitly.com URL short tool
• TinyUrl.com URL short Tool
• ADF.ly URL short tool- Also pays you for short URL views and referrals.
• Tools.Arunalabs.com
• My main URL shorten website is AdFly: Type in- http://adf.ly/?id=1166712 into your browsers search bar at the top of your web browser and click search to visit the main site. From the main site you will be able to shorten your URL and get paid for every person that clicks on your short URL and for referring people to AdFly. I cant include the direct clickable link because of the Hubpages.com TOS terms.

These are just a few of the more popular URL short tools and websites on the internet. The URL short process is very simple and very straight forward. Here it is.

1. Visit one of the more popular short URL websites. The more popular URL short websites tend to be more reliable than the others.
2. Sign up for the URL short website if necessary
3. Type the regular URL web address or the sub-domain URL web address into the URL shortener tool bar and click on the "Sign up" or "Shorten" link.
4. The URL shorten tool will then significantly shorten your URL address. This short URL web address is the same as your old longer URL web address just shorter.
5. Copy your new shortened URL web address and use it when needed.

It will take you to the same website, blog or article. You can use this shortened URL web address in the place of your old URL web address at anytime. The shortened URL web address is good for search engine rankings, promoting and advertising. The reason that the short URL works so much better for Twitter than a long URL is because Twitter only gives you a limited amount of words to include in a Tweet. A short URL will allow you to fit your website, blog or article address into the Tweet box. You will be absolutely amazed at the effects of having a short URL address. Have a little bit of patience for the search engines to find and rank your short URL web address and then watch as your traffic climbs as a result of having a shortened URL web address.

TIP- Paste the shortened URL web address into your computers notepad so you wont forget it and you will know where it is until you get used to your new short URL address and have no problems remembering it. With the URL web address being shortened, it will not take you long to remember it.