11 Best Practices for Custom Branded Links to Increase CTR and Drive Conversions

– Tips for Branding Your Short Links
– Why Custom Branded Links Improve Conversions
– How to Boost Conversions with Custom URLs in Campaigns
– Branded Link Tracking and Performance Insights
– Link Branding Best Practices
– FAQs

URL shortening has come a long way from being just a tool to save space. Custom branded links are changing how marketers execute campaigns, track performance, and connect with users. If you want to increase CTR with branded short links and turn each click into an opportunity, you need to go beyond shortening. You need a smart, intentional custom link strategy. This guide gives you actionable steps to optimize your branded short URLs, increase link clicks, and improve your conversion rates.

Tips for Branding Your Short Links

Let’s start simple. A good custom branded link starts with a custom domain. If you’re still sharing links from generic shorteners like bit.ly or goo.gl, you’re losing out on brand recognition and trust.

Short links with a branded domain—like ‘go.yourcompany.com/productlaunch’—signal professionalism and consistency. According to Rebrandly, branded links can increase click-through rates by up to 34%. That number alone is worth adapting your strategy.

To maximize engagement:

Choose a domain name that clearly reflects your brand.
Keep the path of the URL readable and relevant.
Avoid random characters and acronyms in the slug.
Stay consistent across campaigns.

A custom domain doesn’t just look good. It builds familiarity and trust every time users interact with your messages—across email, SMS, QR codes, and social media.

Why Custom Branded Links Improve Conversions

Custom branded links do more than clean up URLs. They influence user perception, indicating that the link is secure, relevant, and worth clicking. That’s how you increase CTR and set up strong first impressions without landing pages even loading.

Imagine this scenario: two partners are promoting the same affiliate product—one uses “bestoffers.xyz/1234”, the other uses “deals.acme.com/special-offer”. Which one would you trust? Most users will click the branded short URL. That trust earns attention and converts curiosity into action.

Another practical reason these links convert better is because they reinforce campaign context. For example, links like “shop.brand.com/summer-sale” or “try.brand.com/facebook-ad” tell the user where they’ll land and why.

Call-to-action links also benefit from branding. When combined with tools like OpenMyLink, you can add overlays, popups, or retargeting pixels on destination pages without changing the original URL.

How to Boost Conversions with Custom URLs in Campaigns

Your strategy matters. Whether you’re launching a product or testing ad creatives, your short URLs should be intentional. Here are ways to structure campaigns with conversion in mind:

Segment by Platform
Track individual performance across Facebook, Instagram, email, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Create unique custom domain links for each to gain granular insights.
A/B Test Slugs
Test variations like “launch”, “free-demo”, or “signup-bonus”. Attention and language matter more than you think.
Leverage CTA Campaigns
Include branded links in banner ads, influencer bios, and SMS campaigns, and connect them with call-to-action links that drive immediate results.
Match Links to Campaign Tone
A formal newsletter shouldn’t feature slang-heavy slugs. Match brand voice throughout the URL.
Retarget from Short Links
Tools like OpenMyLink allow you to embed retargeting pixels and UTMs in custom links—capturing non-converters for follow-up ads.

Brands who execute these strategies have seen jumps in both click-through rate and final conversion. A B2C fashion brand using OpenMyLink reported a 27% lift in revenue from Instagram Stories after switching to branded CTA links with their domain.

Branded Link Tracking and Performance Insights

Tracking isn’t about collecting data—it’s about clarity. The great thing about branded link tracking is you immediately get a breakdown of where your clicks originate, what devices are used, and which variant performs best. This gives you leverage.

With platforms like OpenMyLink, metrics tracked per link include:

Number of unique and total clicks
Device targeting breakdown (mobile/desktop/tablet)
Geographic location of users
Referrer source (Facebook, Reddit, direct)
Conversion tracking and pixel events

If you’re running time-sensitive promos or regional offers, this matters. You’ll figure out quickly whether your US emails convert better than Canadian ones or whether your ad performs better on Android devices.

No spreadsheets, no guesswork—just clear action steps supported by data.

Link Branding Best Practices

Not every custom link works magic. To get consistent results, there are best practices for branded links that make your URLs work harder without making outreach look forced.

Follow these tried-and-true tips:

Use HTTPS: Always secure links. Users care, and browsers flag non-secure domains.
Update Slugs When Necessary: A campaign evolving? Update the slug to realign. Keep old redirects live for legacy users.
Avoid Overuse in a Single Message: Don’t overload communication with multiple branded links—stick to one strong CTA.
Shorten Your Links, Not Their Meaning: Keep slugs under 15 characters when possible but descriptive enough.
Maintain Brand Consistency: Don’t mix different branding across campaign links; it confuses users and weakens trust.

One overlooked part of custom URLs is archiving. With platforms like OpenMyLink, all branded short URLs are saved and editable long-term. This helps during seasonal rotations or affiliate changes.

FAQs

What is a custom branded link?
It’s a short URL that includes your custom domain and relevant slug, making it recognizable as part of your brand.

Can branded short URLs improve email click-through rates?
Yes, branded links can increase trust and raise click-through rates by up to 34%.

How do I create a branded short URL?
Use a link shortening platform like OpenMyLink, connect your custom domain, and define the slug that fits your message.

Why should I track branded links?
Tracking reveals what’s working and where interest drops off—crucial for refining your digital strategy.

Is it worth the time to brand every link?
Yes, especially for campaigns, ads, and public-facing communication where trust and click metrics matter.

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Your next branding win can come from links alone. Tools like OpenMyLink make it simple to set up custom domains, shorten intelligently, add CTAs, analyze traffic, and increase conversions. Don’t leave engagement to chance—optimize every click.

Want to get started with branded links that increase clicks and conversion rates? Try OpenMyLink now and elevate your digital strategy.