Important: All scripts hosted on widcraft.googlecode.com don't work anymore because Google has blocked that SVN repository.
bitly (bit.ly or bitly.com) is a URL shortening and bookmarking service owned by Bitly, Inc., a Betaworks company. The current CEO is Peter Stern. It offers URL redirection service with real-time link tracking.
It's always a great move to use your own url shortner, bitly allows you to use your own custom domain to create short links for free. Google Short Links is also a great way to build your own custom url shortner but the fact is that Google Short Links is no more a free product. Still, you can check our Google Short Links at go.bwidgets.com.
A custom short domain is a great way to brand your content across the web! For example, the New York Times uses "nyti.ms" as a custom short domain, and TechCrunch uses "tcrn.ch".
If you were to use "example.me" as a custom domain, instead of appearing like this: bitly.com/example
your links would appear like this: example.me/example
Purchase A Domain:
BigRock is a great place to begin your search for exotic short domains. Your short domain name needs to be 15 characters or less (including the dot). You can also use your existing domain or a sub-domain. Wikipedia maintains a list of top-level domains (TLDs).
Using Custom Domain:
For using your top-level domain (example: bwidgets.com), you need to update your "A-Records" and "CNAME Records." Your domain name must be 15 characters or less (including the dot):
- Log into your domain registrar's website.
- Select the short domain you want to modify.
- Find the section for managing DNS entries. The name of this section varies, but is usually something like "DNS Configuration," "DNS Records", "Advanced DNS," "Total DNS", "Host records," or similar.
Add or edit the existing A-Record for your site. You can click on images for a larger look. Also, don't copy any other IP or anything from images. There all are just for example, I'am not really editing any records DNS records.
Edit the existing A-Record for your site and change the IP address to 69.58.188.49 If there is no existing A record (which is uncommon), add a new one. The A record's "host name" should be either the character @ or your base domain (both mean the same thing). You should only have one A Record. If you have more than one, remove all others and leave only the one pointing to bitly's IP.
After editing A-Records, it's time to add a CNAME Record in your DNS.
In your DNS, enter "www" as your host name name, and that it points to value 'cname.bitly.com'. For example, if your short domain was 'fred.me' you'd point your CNAME record for 'www.fred.me' to 'cname.bitly.com.'
All done in your DNS Manager. Now, scroll down to the "adding your domain to bitly" point for next step.
Using Custom Sub-Domain:
For using your sub-domain (example: sl.bwidgets.com), you need to update your "CNAME Records." Your domain name must be 15 characters or less (including the dot):
- Log into your domain registrar's website.
- Select the short domain you want to modify.
- Find the section for managing DNS entries. The name of this section varies, but is usually something like "DNS Configuration," "DNS Records", "Advanced DNS," "Total DNS", "Host records," or similar.
In your CNAME Reconds, click on "Add CNAME Record." Every domain registrar has their on unique look.
In Host Name, put your desire sub-domain name (example: sl.bwidgets.com). In Value, put cname.bitly.com. All done in your CNAME Records. Now, it's time to add your domain to bigly.
Add Your Domain To bitly:
After setting up your custom domain, it's time to add your domain to bitly. It can take up to 48 hours for domain changes to propagate. It's easy:
Sign in to your bitly account, go to "settings" from the upper right pull-down menu, (or click here) and click on "Advanced" tab.
Enter your short domain under under "Custom Short Domain." (Located under the "Advanced" tab.)
Now, in this screen, you'll see instruction that we mentioned earlier on this tutorial. However, don’t take this step until you have updated your DNS Records. If you've already completed DNS setup, which we mentioned above then click on "Verify" button.
After clicking on "Verify," you'll see above screen. That's IT!!!
If bitly is showing some sort of error then try to double check all steps. Also, DNS changes can take up to 48 hours for domain changes to propagate. In my case, it took about two hours to update DNS. Now, your sub-domain or domain's root directory will redirect you to bitly's homepage. Don't forget to leave a comment....
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