bit.ly... a bit glitchy...

by 9 replies
11
Is there any decent tracking alternative to bit.ly...

I've 2 campaigns running right now... web and radio.

I'm using bit.ly for the web banner... I'd like to track this.

I've noticed that theres a bit of a page spasm... like it's about to load an error page... then jumps to my page... odd.

So, anyone know decent alternatives?

Cheers
#main internet marketing discussion forum #bit #bitly #glitchy
  • Sometimes it will load a page that says something like "Are you sure you want to visit this page?" I think that's because bit.ly determines which pages are "safe" by any other reports from anyone about that page. That's why a lot of affiliate links don't work great with bit.ly.

    I've started just using Pretty link plugin that I can track from my own WordPress blog. Other better alternatives usually cost money.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I used to use it quite a bit, and only recently noticed this... I'll keep an eye on it... I'm sure there has to be a similar service for free that works though.
      • [1] reply
  • Banned
    Not a third-party one, no. At least, I wouldn't use one. For many reasons ...

    (i) Many people are (most understandably, in my opinion) unwilling to click on links like those tinyurl/goo.gl things;

    (ii) To me, it makes little sense to let any aspect of your business be dependent on an unncessary third-party service whose continuation, security, safety and reliability are completely outside your control;

    (iii) There are many better methods available, for url-shortening, click-redirection and monitoring/analysis (things like Prettylink, or just having your own coded through a hosted site);

    (iv) I think it looks unprofessional, implausible and as if you're deliberately concealing something from the user.

    Bit.ly is perhaps the worst (though many others cause problems, too): I'd have grave misgivings about using a service run under a Libyan domain-name: The .ly domain space to be considered unsafe | :Ben Metcalfe Blog

    Just my perspective, of course.
  • I agree. I'd just buy a short .info domain and set up my own redirection there.
    • [1] reply
    • I haven't used it, but if you're just looking to shorten your URL to be redirected, Google has one. I can't personally speak for it's reliability and safety, but it is Google... go to http:// goo.gl/ (remove space)

      -Falcon
  • Use your own.
    WordPress + PrettyLink.
    or...
    YOURLS: Your Own URL Shortener
    or...
    .htaccess redirect
    or...
    HTML Metafresh

    Google any of the above for details.
  • Another problem with Bit.ly is that if you add a + sign to the URL it displays all of that URL's stats and demographic data.....

    That's one of the reasons I moved..

    I use it to spy on competitors campaigns etc..
  • use linktrackr, it is quite good, i hear... but stay away from hypertracker cos i tried it , canceled and still got charged for 2 additional months without my knowledge
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