Bitly vs. 0CodeKit: URL Shorteners Comparison

URL shorteners have proven to be very handy tools to anyone who engages in sharing URLs. A URL shortener is an application that encodes or condenses a rather huge URL and provides the user with a small URL that can be managed easily. A long URL is entered into a URL shortening service which assigns a new short URL that points to the original URL. Whenever a person clicks on this short link, the URL shortener quickly identifies the actual long URL related to that short URL in its database and redirects the person to the relevant web page. This process takes a few seconds, making the interaction easy for the user.

What is Bitly?

Bitly is a URL shortener tool that has been active in the market for over fifteen years. It helps users to shorten their web addresses, making it easier to share with others. Among the features it possesses, Bitly is relatively easy to use. And apart from shortening links, Bitly offers a special interface that allows users to track how their links perform, which is ideal for handling presence on the web.

Features of Bitly

• Link Shortening: Quickly converts long URLs into short, easy-to-share links.

• Customizable URLs: Creates personalized endings for short links to improve the brand’s visibility.

• Advanced Analytics: Gets detailed reports on how links are performing, including data on click rates, geographic locations, and device types.

• Link-in-Bio: Manages all important links through a single, customizable page.

• UTM Parameters: Adds tracking parameters to links to measure the success of marketing campaigns.

How Does Bitly's URL Shortened Work?

Firstly, the user needs to access his or her already existing account or register on Bitly. After logging in, the procedure of creating links begins with clicking the ‘Create new’ tab and then ‘Link’. Users are then able to copy-paste the long URL they would like to shorten into the marked space, and they can also input a name for easier identification in future.

In case the users have their own tracking parameters for the link, they are welcome to include them to track their campaign performance. Bitly offers some customization options which includes choosing custom domain and/or ending of the link. Users then click on the button labeled ‘Create', and the new short link will be created and automatically inserted to the clipboard for sharing.

What is 0CodeKit?

0CodeKit is an API-based interface which helps develop applications by relying on a low-code method. The platform is based on a subscription model and provides a set of tools and services that optimize the development process. This model guarantees users are always receiving support, getting updates, and are provided with maintenance, which creates a reliable and non-stressful development experience.  

Key Features of 0CodeKit's URL Shortener

• Convenient URL Sharing: Turns long web addresses into short, easy-to-share links.

• Customizable Links: Personalized short links with custom identifiers can be created easily.

• Efficient Management: Additional features like updating, deleting, and listing all shortened URLs.

• Easy Retrieval: Access to the original long URL using the short link identifier.

• Subscription Model: Uninterrupted access to support, updates, and maintenance.

• Integration with Low-Code Platforms: Because it's driven by APIs, the URL Shortener can work with low-code development platforms.

• Integration with other 0CodeKit endpoints: It can connect with our UTM Tool endpoint, enabling tracking of marketing campaign performance through specialized URL tagging.

How Does 0CodeKit's URL Shortener Work?

Users will have to first register to use the URL Shortener provided by 0CodeKit and get an API key. After getting the API key, there are many ways that the customer can engage with our services, and one of the most common methods is automation platforms. For those of you who are interested in knowing more about the automation platforms, you can read more here.

Users need to create a module and integrate it with 0CodeKit within the automation platform of their choice, a process that involves connection through an API key. After the integration, they will be able to discover several functionalities within the module such as: creating new shortened URLs, listing existing URLs, deleting certain URLs and modifying them. Concerning the creation of a shortened URL, the users will be required to enter the original URL and a custom identifier if they so wish. If they don't want to include a custom identifier, 0CodeKit will create an 8-character identifier for them.

Summary

Bitly and 0CodeKit are two very handy web services, which convert long web addresses into small manageable ones. On the one hand, Bitly has been there for quite some time and is deemed famous due to its simplicity and the detailed statistics. On the other hand, 0CodeKit is comparatively new and integrates through API to work closely with other applications especially those of low-code development.