While QR codes are the gold standard for connecting the physical world to the digital, Short URLs are their essential digital counterparts. A Short URL is a unique, condensed web address designed to drive traffic into your conversion flows from any digital platform.
In this guide, we will break down the three key components that allow you to customize and track your Short URLs: Custom Domains, Slugs, and PURLs. Understanding how these work together will help you build a more professional and data-driven digital strategy.
1. The Custom Domain (The "Identity")
The Custom Domain is the foundation of your Short URL. While a standard Short URL might use a default prefix, a custom domain allows you to use your own branded address. This tells your audience exactly who is sending the link before they ever click.
The Flowcode Default: By default, all Short URLs created in our platform use Flowcode's custom domain: www.flowsto.com.
Our Recommendation: While
flowsto.comis our standard, we encourage brands to set up a custom domain of their own. When you replace the default with your own brand name (e.g.,links.yourbrand.com), you ensure that the consumer experience is branded as you at every stage of the journey.The Value: A branded Short URL reinforces brand recognition and increases trust, which can significantly improve click-through rates.
2. The Slug (The "Intent")
The Slug is the specific text that appears after the forward slash (/). In a standard Short URL, this might be a unique 9-character code, but you can customize it to tell the user exactly where they are going.
Example:
www.flowsto.com/spring-saleThe Value: A descriptive slug replaces random characters with a clear "Call to Action." It makes the link look cleaner in a social media bio and more professional in a text message.
3. The PURL (The "Individual")
A PURL (Personalized URL) is a specialized slug created for a specific individual. By using a unique slug for every recipient in your database, you can create a one-to-one connection at scale.
Example:
www.flowsto.com/jane-doeThe Value: PURLs are the ultimate tool for high-intent data. When a customer clicks their personalized short URL, you can track their specific journey and even greet them by name on the destination page.
Understanding the Layers
Feature | Role | Example |
Custom Domain | Establishes who is reaching out. |
|
Slug | Defines what the content is. |
|
PURL | Identifies whom the link is for. |
|
Slug & PURL Parameters:
Max character length: 80
Allowed characters: letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), hyphens (-), underscores (_), and periods (.)
The Big Picture: Just like a QR code bridges the gap in the physical world, your Short URL—built with a Custom Domain, a clear Slug, or a personalized PURL—is the bridge to your digital conversion.