Sharing Links Made Easier, Shorter, And Measurable (BetterLinks Review)

In today’s digital landscape, effective link management is crucial for businesses and content creators alike. This review explores BetterLinks, a WordPress plugin designed to simplify link shortening, tracking, and analysis. As we delve into the features and functionalities of BetterLinks, we’ll examine how it can streamline your link management process and provide valuable insights into your audience’s behavior.

Throughout this article, we’ll cover the main aspects of BetterLinks, including its user interface, link creation process, advanced features like dynamic redirects and UTM parameters, and its potential impact on your marketing efforts. Whether you’re an affiliate marketer, content creator, or business owner, this comprehensive review will help you understand how BetterLinks can enhance your link management strategy and potentially boost your online presence.

Intro [00:00]

BetterLinks is a new link shortening application developed by WP Developer, positioning itself as an advanced WordPress plugin for link shortening, tracking, and analyzing. In this section, we’ll provide an overview of the plugin and set the stage for a detailed exploration of its features and capabilities.

Key Features of BetterLinks

• Advanced link shortening capabilities
• Built-in tracking and analytics
• WordPress integration
• User-friendly interface

Current Version and Launch Offer

• The review is based on version 1.1 of BetterLinks
• Early adopter launch offer available (link provided in the video description)

Plugin Location in WordPress

• BetterLinks adds a new section to the WordPress admin sidebar
• The main interface is found under the “Manage Links” area

Use Cases for BetterLinks

• Affiliate marketing: Creating clean, professional-looking links for promotional purposes
• Content creation: Simplifying the sharing of long URLs, such as YouTube video links
• General link management: Organizing and tracking various types of links for business or personal use

Importance of Link Shortening

• Improves the appearance of links, making them less “scammy” looking
• Enhances user trust and click-through rates
• Facilitates easier sharing on social media platforms
• Allows for better tracking and analytics of link performance

Affiliate Links [00:37]

Affiliate marketing is one of the primary use cases for BetterLinks, and the plugin offers several features tailored to this purpose. In this section, we’ll explore how BetterLinks can improve your affiliate marketing efforts and streamline your link management process.

Creating Affiliate Links with BetterLinks

• Navigate to the “Manage Links” area in the BetterLinks sidebar
• Set up categories to organize your links (e.g., “Affiliate Links”)
• Add new links by providing the target URL (original affiliate link) and desired shortened URL
• Customize the link title and add an optional description for easy reference

Benefits of Using BetterLinks for Affiliate Marketing

• Transforms long, complex affiliate URLs into clean, professional-looking links
• Improves click-through rates by increasing user trust
• Allows for easy organization and management of multiple affiliate programs
• Provides tracking and analytics to measure the performance of your affiliate links

Example: AppSumo Affiliate Link

• Original URL: Long, complex link with subdomains and tracking parameters
• Shortened URL: demo.profitable.tools/appsumo (can be customized to your domain)
• Improved appearance and memorability of the link

Link Customization Options

• Title: Easily identifiable name for the link (e.g., “AppSumo”)
• Description: Optional field to add notes or reminders about the link
• Redirection type: Choose between different redirect methods (307, 302, 301)
• Target URL: The original long affiliate link
• Shortened URL: Your custom, branded short link
• Categories and tags: Organize links for easy management

Advanced Link Options

• Nofollow attribute: Prevent passing SEO value to the target site
• Sponsored attribute: Indicate to search engines that the link is part of a paid promotion
• Parameter forwarding: Pass along URL parameters for advanced tracking

Tracking and Analytics

• Built-in click tracking for all created links
• View detailed analytics, including:
• Browser information
• IP address
• Timestamp of clicks
• Referrer data
• Device and platform information

Use Cases Beyond Affiliate Marketing

• Shortening and tracking YouTube video links
• Managing calendar or Zoom meeting links
• Simplifying the sharing of any long, complex URL

Link Options [06:14]

BetterLinks offers a range of options to customize and optimize your shortened links. These features allow you to fine-tune your link behavior, improve SEO, and enhance your overall link management strategy.

Redirect Types

• 307 Temporary Redirect: Browser-based temporary redirect
• 302 Temporary Redirect: Server-based temporary redirect
• 301 Permanent Redirect: Used for permanently moving content to a new location

SEO Considerations for Redirect Types

• 307 and 302 redirects are suitable for most affiliate and temporary link purposes
• 301 redirects are ideal for permanently moved content, such as updated blog posts or changed domain names

Nofollow Attribute

• Prevents passing SEO value to the target site
• Recommended for affiliate links and non-endorsed external content
• Can be toggled on/off depending on your relationship with the linked content

Sponsored Attribute

• Indicates to search engines that the link is part of a paid promotion
• Helps maintain transparency and comply with search engine guidelines
• Particularly useful for affiliate links and sponsored content

Parameter Forwarding

• Allows passing of URL parameters from the shortened link to the target URL
• Useful for maintaining tracking information or user data across redirects
• Example use case: Passing form data or user preferences to the destination page

Link Status Options

• Active: Link is live and functioning
• Draft: Link is created but not yet published
• Expired: Link has reached its expiration criteria (time or click limit)

Expiration Settings

• Set links to expire after a specific date
• Configure links to expire after a certain number of clicks
• Useful for time-sensitive promotions or limited-offer campaigns

Dynamic Redirects

• Rotate traffic between multiple URLs (A/B testing)
• Redirect based on user geography
• Device-based redirection (e.g., iOS vs. Android)
• Time-based redirection for scheduled campaigns

Instant Redirect in Gutenberg Editor

• Easily set up redirects for individual pages or posts
• Accessible directly within the WordPress editor
• Streamlines the process of updating and redirecting old content

Dynamic Redirects [09:49]

Dynamic redirects are a powerful feature of BetterLinks that allow for advanced link management and marketing strategies. This section explores the various types of dynamic redirects and their potential applications.

Types of Dynamic Redirects

• Rotation (A/B Testing)
• Geography-based
• Device-based
• Time-based

Rotation (A/B Testing)

• Split traffic between two or more URLs
• Customize traffic distribution (e.g., 50/50, 35/65)
• Set up goal links to track conversions
• Ideal for testing different landing pages or offers

Geography-based Redirects

• Redirect users based on their country or region
• Useful for:
• Directing users to country-specific stores or websites
• Displaying content in appropriate languages
• Complying with regional regulations or restrictions

Device-based Redirects

• Redirect users based on their device type (e.g., iOS, Android, desktop)
• Applications include:
• Sending mobile users to app stores for downloads
• Directing users to device-optimized landing pages
• Offering device-specific promotions or content

Time-based Redirects

• Set up multiple URLs with specific start and end dates
• Automatically switch between different offers or landing pages based on time
• Use cases:
• Managing seasonal promotions or sales
• Scheduling content releases
• Automating campaign transitions without manual intervention

Setting Up Dynamic Redirects

• Access the dynamic redirects section in the BetterLinks interface
• Choose the desired redirection type
• Configure the specific parameters for each redirect (e.g., URLs, percentages, countries, devices, dates)
• Save and activate the dynamic redirect

Benefits of Using Dynamic Redirects

• Increased flexibility in marketing campaigns
• Improved user experience through personalized content delivery
• Enhanced ability to test and optimize marketing strategies
• Simplified management of complex, multi-faceted campaigns

Considerations When Using Dynamic Redirects

• Ensure all destination URLs are valid and relevant
• Regularly review and update dynamic redirect settings
• Monitor analytics to assess the effectiveness of different redirect strategies
• Be mindful of user privacy and data protection regulations when using geography-based redirects

UTM Parameters [12:55]

UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) parameters are crucial for tracking the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns across various channels. BetterLinks offers built-in UTM parameter management, making it easier to create, apply, and analyze these tracking codes.

Understanding UTM Parameters

• UTM parameters are tags added to URLs to track traffic sources
• They provide detailed insights into which campaigns and channels are driving traffic
• Essential for measuring ROI and optimizing marketing efforts

BetterLinks UTM Builder

• Integrated UTM builder within the plugin interface
• Create and save UTM parameter templates for quick application
• Automatically append UTM parameters to your shortened links

Components of UTM Parameters

• Source: Identifies the traffic source (e.g., Facebook, newsletter)
• Medium: Specifies the marketing medium (e.g., social, email)
• Campaign: Defines the specific marketing campaign
• Term: Used for paid search keywords (optional)
• Content: Distinguishes between similar content or links (optional)

Creating UTM Templates in BetterLinks

• Access the UTM builder in the BetterLinks interface
• Fill in the relevant UTM parameter fields
• Save the template with a descriptive name for future use

Applying UTM Parameters to Links

• Select a saved UTM template when creating or editing a link
• Customize individual UTM parameters as needed
• Preview the full URL with appended UTM parameters

Benefits of Using UTM Parameters with BetterLinks

• Streamlined process for adding UTM parameters to links
• Consistent tracking across all marketing channels
• Improved accuracy in attributing traffic and conversions
• Easy integration with analytics platforms like Google Analytics

Best Practices for UTM Parameters

• Use consistent naming conventions for all UTM parameters
• Create templates for frequently used campaigns or channels
• Regularly review and update UTM templates as needed
• Analyze UTM data in conjunction with BetterLinks analytics for comprehensive insights

Social Share [13:54]

BetterLinks offers a unique social sharing feature that allows you to create links specifically designed for easy sharing on social media platforms. This functionality can significantly enhance your social media marketing efforts and increase engagement with your content.

Understanding the Social Share Feature

• Creates links that direct users to pre-populated social media sharing pages
• Simplifies the process of encouraging others to share your content
• Customizable for different social media platforms

How Social Share Links Work

• Instead of directing to your content, the link opens a social media sharing interface
• Pre-fills sharing text, hashtags, and your original content link
• Allows for easy customization of the sharing message

Creating Social Share Links in BetterLinks

• Access the social sharing options in the link editor
• Choose the target social media platform (e.g., Twitter, Facebook)
• Customize the share text and add relevant hashtags
• Generate the social share URL

Benefits of Using Social Share Links

• Increases the likelihood of your content being shared
• Provides control over the messaging associated with your shared content
• Simplifies the sharing process for your audience
• Allows for tracking of sharing activities through BetterLinks analytics

Customization Options for Social Share Links

• Platform-specific customizations (e.g., tweet text for Twitter)
• Addition of relevant hashtags to increase discoverability
• Inclusion of open graph images for rich media previews
• Ability to update share text without changing the shortened URL

Use Cases for Social Share Links

• Promoting blog posts or articles
• Encouraging sharing of product pages or special offers
• Distributing video content more widely
• Facilitating easy sharing of event information or registrations

Best Practices for Social Share Links

• Keep share text concise and engaging
• Include relevant hashtags to increase visibility
• Use eye-catching open graph images when possible
• Test different sharing messages to optimize engagement
• Monitor analytics to understand which types of shares perform best

Integrating Social Share Links into Your Marketing Strategy

• Include social share links in email newsletters
• Use them in social media bios or profile links
• Incorporate them into blog posts for easy reader sharing
• Utilize in paid social media campaigns to encourage viral spread

Final Thoughts [18:02]

As we conclude this comprehensive review of BetterLinks, it’s clear that this WordPress plugin offers a robust set of features for link management, tracking, and optimization. While it shows great promise, there are areas where improvements could enhance its functionality and user experience.

Strengths of BetterLinks

• User-friendly interface integrated seamlessly with WordPress
• Powerful link shortening and customization options
• Advanced features like dynamic redirects and UTM parameter management
• Built-in analytics for tracking link performance
• Flexible social sharing capabilities

Areas for Improvement

• Lack of auto-insertion feature for bloggers
• Limited integration with some popular affiliate management plugins
• Room for enhancement in analytics depth and visualization
• Potential for more advanced A/B testing features
• Need for clearer application of link tagging functionality

Potential Future Developments

• Addition of auto-insertion for affiliate links in blog posts
• Enhanced import/export capabilities for seamless migration
• More comprehensive analytics dashboards and reporting
• Improved A/B testing with automatic winner selection
• Expanded integration with other popular WordPress plugins

Who Should Consider BetterLinks?

• Affiliate marketers looking for a comprehensive link management solution
• Content creators seeking to simplify link sharing and tracking
• Digital marketers in need of advanced link customization and analytics
• WordPress site owners wanting to improve their link management workflow

Final Verdict

BetterLinks offers a solid foundation for link management within the WordPress ecosystem. While it may not yet have all the features of some more established competitors, its current capabilities and potential for growth make it a worthy contender in the link management space. For those already invested in the WP Developer ecosystem or looking for a fresh approach to link management, BetterLinks is certainly worth considering.

As the plugin continues to evolve and address some of its current limitations, it has the potential to become an indispensable tool for WordPress users across various industries. Keep an eye on future updates, as the development team seems committed to enhancing the plugin’s functionality based on user feedback and industry trends.

Key Takeaways

• BetterLinks offers a user-friendly interface for link shortening and management within WordPress
• Advanced features like dynamic redirects and UTM parameters provide powerful marketing capabilities
• The plugin excels in creating clean, professional-looking links for affiliate marketing and content sharing
• While some features like auto-insertion are currently missing, the plugin shows promise for future development
• BetterLinks is particularly valuable for users already invested in other WP Developer plugins or seeking an all-in-one link management solution

For more information about BetterLinks and to stay updated on its latest features, visit the official website or join the WordPress community discussions. As with any tool, it’s essential to evaluate BetterLinks against your specific needs and workflows to determine if it’s the right fit for your link management strategy.