What is a URL shortener? It’s a tool that takes a long url and makes it shorter. For example: http://public6.superlativestudio.com/Search.aspx?segmentid=2901151&rid=29214&htmlfile=835036.html and http://goo.gl/WSYy take you to the same place.
Google released their URL shortener to the public last week and has been welcomed with open arms. Not only is it simple and free to use, but it allows you to share usage statistics with others and it automatically creates a QR Code for your other marketing materials!
Click-through Statistics
When you share a goo.gl shortened link in twitter, facebook, or any other site and people click on it – they are tallied. In the 6 Step Real Estate Listing Marketing System I talk about adding a URL to the photo captions. Ideally a short, trackable URL would be used.
Let’s say your short url is goo.gl/umo0 (this is a link used in a popular techcrunch article). To view the usage statistics the creator of the link can simply click the Details button. It opens up a new page with a chart showing the click volume and a few details about the clickers.
If you’re using the short link in your marketing materials for a particular listing – email the details page link to your seller. Now they can see click-through traffic as well.
QR Codes on Listing Flyers
If you’ve started to use QR Codes in your real estate business, goo.gl can save you time. Add .qr to the end of any shortened link to access a savable QR image. Using the same short link from above as an example it would be http://goo.gl/umo0.qr
What do Successful Agents look for in a URL shortener?
1. It’s okay to use for commercial purposes.
2. It’s trackable (aka: it gives you click-through statistics).
3. It’s $FREE.99 
