Resource Techniques

Have you heard of Tiny URLS? What about Tiny URL checkers?

Micro-blogging sites such as twitter have spawned something that wasn't considered before. Website addresses (or URLs) now need to be shortened so that users can fit their message into the set amount of space you have to blog or 'tweet'.

The link sends the user to a separate website before redirecting them to the desired link. This redirecting takes such a short amount of time that the user only sees the link that they are intending to go to.

Below is an example of using a URL shortener:
http://www.resourcetechniques.co.uk/news/articles/Estate-agents-are-social-networks-replacing-email-100088.aspx has now been shortened to http://bit.ly/4puss.

The first link has a total of 111 characters whereas the second link only has 19 characters. This is saving 92 characters or a saving of around 83%!

Websites that shorten URLs have also been in the news. In May of this year, Twitter has even replaced TinyURL (a website that shortens URLs) with Bit.ly (another website that shortens URLs). Bit.ly also has an excellent feature that allows users to track how many clicks.

Estate agents, if you see a shortened URL that you are unsure of, go to real-url.org. Real-url.org allows users to see the URL that they will be clicking on. This stops estate agents clicking on dodgy websites that are potentially harmful to their computers. Below is a picture of what estate agents should expect when they visit real-url.org.

Resource Techniques is dedicated to giving estate agents the latest technology, SEO and website design news that will enhance their online journey. If this article interested you, read 'Social networking is growing up' or call Resource Techniques on 0208 457 4777 on how we can enhance your estate agent website.

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