Blog #3: Why Branded Short Links Matter (and What to Use If You Don’t Have One)

Learn what branded short links are, why businesses use them, and what your options are if you don’t have a custom short domain.

When you share a link online, whether it’s in an email, a social post, or even on a printed flyer, the way that link looks can make a big difference. A long messy URL filled with random characters doesn’t inspire much trust. A clean, short link does. And if it’s branded — even better.

In this article, we’ll explore what branded short links are, why companies use them, and what your options are if you don’t have one of your own.

What Are Branded Short Links?

A branded short link is a shortened URL that uses a custom domain you control. Instead of a random service’s domain like is.gd/xyz123, you might see something like:

• nyti.ms/news (The New York Times)
• amzn.to/deal (Amazon)
• t.co/... (Twitter/X)

The “brand” is right there in the domain, which makes the link instantly recognizable and more trustworthy.

Why Do Businesses Use Them?

Branded short links have a few big advantages:

1. Trust & Recognition – If your audience sees your brand in the link, they’re more likely to click it.
2. Consistency – Branded links look polished and align with your company identity.
3. Analytics – Many branded link platforms provide advanced tracking and data.
4. Longevity – Since the domain is controlled by the business, the links remain in their ecosystem.

Are Branded Links Always Necessary?

Not necessarily. While they’re a gold standard for big companies, most people and small teams don’t need the extra overhead of buying and managing a custom short domain. For many, a simple, clean short link does the job perfectly well — especially if paired with a QR code for quick scanning.

What If You Don’t Have a Branded Domain?

That’s where tools like Short My URL come in. Even if you don’t own a custom short domain, you can still:

• Instantly shorten any long URL with one click.
• Generate both a Styled QR code (with colors and logo for display) and a Basic QR code for print.
• Download high-resolution QR codes that look sharp on screens and posters.
• Share links that are clean, easy to copy, and ready to use across platforms.

You get most of the practical benefits of link shortening without the cost or hassle of setting up your own branded domain.

The Bottom Line

Branded short links are fantastic for building long-term trust and brand identity, but they’re not the only way to share links effectively. For individuals, creators, educators, and small businesses, a reliable service like ShortMyURL gives you the essentials — fast, safe, and QR-ready links — so you can focus on sharing, not on managing domain infrastructure.

One click, one QR code, endless possibilities!

© 2025 Short My URL