Getting Started
Getting Started with URL Shortify
URL Shortify turns long, ugly URLs into branded short links you host on your own WordPress domain — no third-party shortener, no monthly fee, and no giving away your click data. This page walks you from a fresh install to your first working short link and explains the core concepts you'll use every day.
What is URL Shortify?
URL Shortify is a self-hosted WordPress plugin that creates, manages, tracks, and shares branded short links from your own domain. Instead of bit.ly/xyz, your links read yourdomain.com/go/sale, and every click is tracked inside WordPress — so the branding, the analytics, and the data all stay with you.
The free plugin covers branded links, redirect control, link groups, click analytics, and imports from other link plugins. A PRO upgrade adds custom domains, dynamic redirects, QR codes, password protection, and full analytics. See the full feature list for the free-versus-PRO breakdown.
Step 1 — Install and activate the plugin
Install URL Shortify from the WordPress plugin directory or by uploading the ZIP, then activate it. For the detailed install paths, see How to Install URL Shortify.
After activation, a new top-level URL Shortify menu appears in your WordPress admin sidebar.
Step 2 — Find your way around the admin menu
The URL Shortify top-level menu holds everything you need. The free submenus are:
| Menu | What it does |
|---|---|
| Dashboard | Click KPIs, a click chart, and an activity heatmap |
| Links | Create, edit, and manage your short links |
| Groups | Organize links into groups with their own analytics |
| Tools | Import, export, and maintenance utilities |
| Settings | Default link options, display, and reporting |
| Resources | Help and reference links |
Step 3 — Create your first short link
- Go to URL Shortify → Links.
- Select Add New.
- Enter a Title so you can recognize the link later.
- Paste the Target URL — the long destination the link points to.
- Optionally set a custom Short URL slug (for example,
sale). Leave it blank to auto-generate one. - Save the link.
Your short link now appears in the Links list, ready to copy and share. For a fuller walkthrough, see How to Create a Short Link.
Step 4 — Understand the core concepts
- Slug — the short, memorable part after your domain (
yourdomain.com/sale). You can set it or let URL Shortify generate one. - Redirect type — how the browser is forwarded. Free options are 307 (temporary, the default), 302 (temporary), and 301 (permanent). Use 301 for SEO-friendly permanent moves.
- Link groups — folders that keep related links together and roll up their analytics. See Organise Links with Groups.
- Click tracking — every visit is recorded with referrer, device, browser, OS, and country. Free analytics cover a 7-day window; full history is a PRO feature. See Link Tracking.
Step 5 — Bring your existing links over
If you already use another link plugin, you don't have to recreate everything by hand. URL Shortify offers a free one-click import from Pretty Links, ThirstyAffiliates, and several redirect plugins, plus CSV import. See One-Click Import from Other Plugins and Import Short Links via CSV.
Conclusion
You now have URL Shortify installed, know your way around the URL Shortify admin menu, and have created your first branded short link. Next, explore Link Tracking to see who is clicking, read Benefits of URL Shortify to understand why self-hosting your links matters, or check the FAQ if a question comes up.
FAQs
Do I need a PRO license to create short links?
No. Creating branded short links is a free feature. You can add a title, target URL, custom slug, and notes, choose a 301, 302, or 307 redirect, organize links into groups, and track clicks for the last 7 days — all in the free plugin. PRO adds custom domains, dynamic redirects, QR codes, password protection, and full click history.
Where do I create short links in URL Shortify?
Create links at URL Shortify → Links in your WordPress admin. Select Add New, enter a title and target URL, optionally set a custom slug, and save. The link then appears in the Links list where you can copy, edit, or group it.
What redirect type should I use?
URL Shortify defaults to 307 (Temporary). Use 301 (Permanent) when the destination will not change and you want search engines to pass link value to it, such as for a permanently moved page. Use 302 or 307 for temporary or campaign links you may repoint later.
Can I use my own domain for short links?
Your short links already use your WordPress site's domain by default, so they are branded to you out of the box. Using additional or separate custom domains for your links is a PRO feature. See Custom Domains for details.
Can I import links from another plugin?
Yes. URL Shortify includes a free one-click importer for Pretty Links, ThirstyAffiliates, MyThemeShop, 301 Redirect, Simple 301 Redirects, Redirection, LinkCentral, and Short URL, plus a CSV importer for any other source. See One-Click Import from Other Plugins.