How to choose a branded URL shortener
A branded short link — go.yourbrand.com/spring instead of a generic
bit.ly/3xY — earns more clicks and looks more trustworthy. But the tools that
create them vary wildly in price and philosophy. Here’s what to weigh.
1. Is a custom domain on the entry plan?
Many shorteners reserve custom domains for higher tiers. If branded links are the whole point, make sure your domain is included where you’ll actually start.
2. How is analytics priced?
Watch for per-click billing. A successful campaign should not balloon your bill. Flat pricing is predictable; a price that scales with clicks is a tax on success.
Most flat plans, ours included, still carry a monthly allowance of tracked clicks — what matters is whether crossing it costs you money or simply stops adding detail. Ask which, and ask what the number is.
3. Where is the data processed?
If you have EU or Swiss customers, data residency and a clean cookie story matter. Prefer tools that count clicks server-side without cross-site cookies.
4. Can you leave?
Check for CSV export and import. A shortener that traps your links is a shortener you’ll regret. You should be able to migrate in and out freely.
5. Do links survive downgrades?
Your links live in the wild — on printed materials, in old emails. Confirm that redirects keep working even if you cancel or downgrade.
6. Team-friendly?
Roles, invites, and a shared domain matter the moment a second person is involved.
Einblik was built around these answers: a custom domain on the $9 Team plan, flat pricing, cookieless EU/Swiss analytics, CSV import/export, and redirects that always work. Start free and see.