6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a URL Shortening Service

There are heaps of URL shortening services out there nowadays. There are some ultra-big players out there, but it is often the new blood that tries harder and eventually does better! If you're looking for a URL shortening service for Twitter and texting purposes, or simply for your failing memory (join the club!), today we review the most important features for URL redirection services.

1. Having short URLs!
   While TinyURL was one of the first URL redicrection services, they unfortunately existed before it was possible for websites to get domians other than the usual .com, .org, etc. This has meant that sites with shorter monikers, like http://ity.im (16 characters) andhttp://bit.ly (20 characters) have been able to trump TinyURL in this respect. When you only have 140 characters, you have to make every single one count.
   
2. Site uptime
   When you use a short URL, you introduce another point of instability into the link mix. Sites like tr.im and twurl had a cumulative total of between two and four days of downtime in a year. While it doesn’t look like much percentage wise, if you’re a business that could be a lot of clicks you miss out on. Go with a reliable service like http://ity.im -- 100% uptime.
3. Speed of redirection
   This won’t necessarily create a clear point of difference between number 3 on your list of favorite URL redirectors and number 4 … the difference is measured in milliseconds. However, speed of redirection is certainly important when seen at the fastest and slowest ends of the scale.
4. Customizability
   One of the things that many people complain about is the lack of English words in a short URL! Good URl shorteners offer you the option to customise the short version of your URL to include real human words -- this can be very soothing to the non-technically minded!
5. Previews
   Some of the good services also offer previews of where the content points. If you don't like the look of a web page, you have the option not to go there. This possibility was created in response to concerns about high levels of spam and virus-laden websites being accessed through short URLs.
6. Browser bookmarklets
   The option to drag your short URL directly to your browse toolbar and have it create a bookmark is very handy, especially for those of us that spend a lot of time on the net and need to keep ourselves organised!