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

by thedog
9 replies
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
#bit #bitly #glitchy
  • Profile picture of the author John J M
    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.
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    • Profile picture of the author thedog
      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.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by thedog View Post

        I'm sure there has to be a similar service for free that works though.
        And will it still work in 2 years' time? And what will you be able to do about it, if it doesn't? Where will your links be circulating, by then? Ask some of the people who used to use "tinyurl" (thought at the time to be a very "safe" one) about 3 years ago when all their links disappeared overnight.

        Why do people want their businesses to be dependent on these unnecessary third-party services, knowing that so many Warriors (and others) have regretted it and that there are safe alternatives available? It just makes no sense to me at all ...
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by thedog View Post

    Is there any decent tracking alternative to bit.ly...
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gec
    I agree. I'd just buy a short .info domain and set up my own redirection there.
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    • Profile picture of the author FalconInvestor
      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
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  • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
    Use your own.
    WordPress + PrettyLink.
    or...
    YOURLS: Your Own URL Shortener
    or...
    .htaccess redirect
    or...
    HTML Metafresh

    Google any of the above for details.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Motion
    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..
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    Living in SE Asia.. BKK.. PM me for a beer!
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  • Profile picture of the author DesmondTan
    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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