Published on
Jan 28, 2025
Updated on
Jan 28, 2025
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Create short links with WPMasterToolKit's Link Shortener module

Link management is an essential task for WordPress site owners. Whether you want to share aesthetically pleasing links, analyze clicks or generate QR codes, the Link Shortener from WPMasterToolKit is designed to meet these needs. This module lets you create short links with 301 redirects and record click statistics directly from your WordPress dashboard.

Which plugin can the Link Shortener module replace?

The module Link Shortener can usefully replace popular solutions such as Pretty Links or taap.itwhich offer similar link management and shortening functionalities. Thanks to its native, lightweight integration, this module limits site overload by activating only the functions you need.

Key features of the Link Shortener module

1. Create customized short links

The module adds a new Custom Post Type to WordPress named Short Links. Each shortened link is associated with a unique "slug", which can be generated automatically or defined manually by the user. For example, an original link such as https://example.com/promotions/janvier-2025 can be shortened to https://example.com/sl/janv25.

2. 301 redirects and click tracking

When a user accesses a short link, they are redirected via a 301 redirect to the specified target URL. The module records each click and displays these statistics in the administration interface, enabling you to monitor the performance of your campaigns.

3. QR codes for easy access

Each shortened link automatically generates a QR code, which can be downloaded and used for your physical media (flyers, posters, etc.).

4. Column customization in administration

In the list of short links, custom columns are added to display :

  • The short link.
  • Target URL.
  • Number of clicks.
  • Publication status (active or draft).

5. Exclude short links from sitemaps

To avoid cluttering your XML sitemap with technical links, the module automatically excludes Short Links (CPT) from the sitemap generated by WordPress.

6. Simplified editing interface

A customized form simplifies the creation and editing of short links. Users can :

  • Enter a title and description.
  • Define a target URL for redirection.
  • Set up a custom slug or generate a random one.
  • Activate or deactivate the link with a toggle button.

How to use the Link Shortener module

Step 1: Activate the module

Make sure that the Link Shortener is enabled in the WPMasterToolKit configuration interface. If the module is not activated, its PHP classes will not be loaded, thus preserving your site's performance.

Step 2: Create a short link

  1. Go to the Short Links in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Click on "Add a new short link".
  3. Fill in the fields :
      • Customized slug Choose a unique identifier for your short link.
      • Redirect URL Enter the target URL.
      • Title and description Add additional information to organize your links.
    • Save the link.

    Step 3: View statistics

    In the Short Links list, you can view the number of clicks, check the publication status and easily copy the shortened URL.

    Our technical choices for a high-performance module

    1. Using a Custom Post Type

    By using a dedicated Custom Post Type (wpmtk-short-link), we've integrated this functionality into the WordPress core, ensuring maximum compatibility with other extensions.

    2. Performance optimization

    Only strictly necessary functions are activated. For example, Short Links do not appear in search results or in the XML sitemap, thus reducing unnecessary queries.

    3. Flexibility thanks to hooks

    Two main filters allow you to customize the module:

    • wpmastertoolkit/link_shortener/post_type Edit Custom Post Type name.
    • wpmastertoolkit/link_shortener/default_slug Change the default slug used for links.

    These filters enable developers to extend functionality as required.

    4. Tracking and safety

    • Clicks are counted by updating the post's metadata.
    • User data is secured using the sanitize_url and WordPress permissions (current_user_can).
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    Conclusion

    The module Link Shortener from WPMasterToolKit is a simple and effective solution for managing your short links in WordPress. It offers all the essential features, such as click tracking and QR code creation, while remaining lightweight and high-performance. Whether you're a site owner or a campaign manager, this module will enable you to optimize your link-sharing strategy in no time at all.

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