This weeks social networking minute delves into the interesting world of Pretty Link Plugins. Pretty Links is the plugin that helps you shrink links to make them more attractive. Instead of using URL shortener services, such as Bit.ly and Goo.gl, you can create your own shortlink system instead. The video below shows you how easy it is to use Pretty Links for your site, as I add a quick Pretty Link for my new blog StartUpGap.Com.

Social Networking Minute: Pretty Links Plugin

You can either add this plugin to your WordPress dashboard through the add plugin feature, or download it on WordPress.org.

Here are three  quick ways to use this plugin:

1. For affiliate code cloaking and custom link. A lot of people like to copy URL’s and strip them of their affiliate links before purchasing. It is a shame, because either way the price remains the same, and now the person recommending the product you like so much in the first place will not get credit.
2. Split and Multivariate Testing-If you are not testing what works best in your business then you probably experience problems. The click count on Pretty Links is perfect for comparing two sales pages side by side. Maybe you change one thing like the button, and want to see which works best. Now, all you need to do is create a second pretty link to test the best button.
3. Shorter links- Here is my link for my Amazon book: http://www.amazon.com/eMarketing-Experience-Andy-Nathan/dp/1490337075/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372248045&sr=1-1&keywords=emarketing+experience. Much shorter to put in: https://andynathan.net/amazon. Do not hassle with long links anymore.

Let me know in the comment section below if you are using Pretty Links for your WordPress blog right now? If so, what do you use Pretty Links for on your site? If not, why not? What alternatives are you using?

This concludes our weekly social networking on Pretty Links Plugin