Custom URL Shortener: How to Make Branded Short Links

A custom URL shortener lets you choose what your short link says. Instead of a random code like lnky.pk/x7Kq2, you get a link people can read and remember, such as lnky.pk/eid-sale or lnky.pk/menu. This guide shows how to make custom short links for free, how to name them well, and when it is worth using your own domain.

Custom URL shortener: random short link compared with a custom short link and a branded domain link

What a custom URL shortener does

Every short link has two parts: the domain and the back-half.

lnky.pk / eid-sale
domain    back-half

A normal shortener picks the back-half for you. A custom URL shortener lets you type it yourself. Some also let you replace the domain with your own, such as yourbrand.pk/eid-sale. That is called a branded short link.

Why custom short links work better

People know what they're opening. lnky.pk/lawn-catalogue tells the reader what's behind it. A random code doesn't, and careful people skip links they can't read.
They are easy to say and type. You can read lnky.pk/menu out on a radio ad or a phone call. Nobody can read out x7Kq2 reliably.
They look good in print. A clean link next to a QR code on a flyer, banner or visiting card gives people a way in even if their camera can't scan.
You can track each campaign. Make one link per place you share it, such as lnky.pk/sale-fb and lnky.pk/sale-insta, and compare the clicks. Our guide to link tracking explains how to read the numbers.

How to make a custom short link with Lnky

Create a free account on Lnky. The free plan includes custom names and 50 new links a month.
In your dashboard, paste the long link you want to share.
Open the options and type your custom name in the alias field, for example eid-sale.
Press Shorten. If the name is taken, try a variation such as eid-sale-2027.
Copy the link, or download its QR code for print.

You can change where a link points at any time, so a printed QR code or a link in an old post keeps working when your page moves.

How to name custom short links

Keep it short and readable. Two or three words, joined with hyphens: lnky.pk/summer-lawn.
Say what's behind the link. lnky.pk/fee-structure is better than lnky.pk/school1.
Avoid letters that look alike. Skip 0 and O, or 1 and l, when people may type the link from paper.
Use lower case. It's easier to type on a phone.
Add the place or channel when you track campaigns. lnky.pk/open-house-dha and lnky.pk/open-house-bahria tell you which banner worked.

Custom domain: when your own short domain is worth it

A branded domain such as yourbrand.pk/order puts your name on every link you share. It's worth it when links are a big part of your marketing: you send links to customers every day, print them on packaging, or run many campaigns.

You need a short domain of your own and a DNS record that points it to Lnky. Custom domains are part of the Premium plan. Contact us and we will help you set it up.

Managing many links

Once you share links regularly, a few habits keep things tidy:

Use one naming pattern for each campaign, so you can find links later.
Put all your main links on one link-in-bio page for Instagram and TikTok.
For WhatsApp sellers, make a chat link with the WhatsApp link generator, then give it a custom name such as lnky.pk/order.
Check your click stats once a week and drop the channels that don't bring visits.

What to avoid

Misleading names. A link called lnky.pk/free-gift that leads to a sales page breaks trust and can get reported.
Changing a link to something unrelated. Editing the destination is for fixing and updating, not for swapping in a different offer.
Breaking platform rules. Some ad networks and affiliate programmes don't allow shortened links. Check their terms first.

Short links have been around since the early 2000s; Wikipedia's article on URL shortening covers the history and the common concerns.

Frequently asked questions

Is a custom URL shortener free on Lnky?

Yes. The free plan includes custom names, 50 new links a month, 30 days of click stats and up to 10 QR codes.

Can I use my own domain for short links?

Yes, on the Premium plan. You point a short domain you own to Lnky and every link uses it, for example yourbrand.pk/sale.

What happens if my custom name is already taken?

Each name can be used once on lnky.pk. Add a word, a year or a place, for example eid-sale-2027 or eid-sale-lahore.

Can I change a custom link after sharing it?

You can change where it points. The name itself stays the same, so anyone who saved or printed the link still reaches the right page.