As a graphic designer, you know the value of a good link. It can make or break a design, and can be the difference between a successful campaign and a flop. But when it comes to Google Drive links, they can often be long and unwieldy. This can be a problem, especially if you’re trying to share a link in a tweet or on Facebook. In this article, we’ll go over some of the best ways to shorten your Google Drive links and make them more user-friendly.
Before we dive into the specifics, it’s important to understand why shortening your Google Drive links is so important. First, shorter links are easier to remember and share. If you’re sharing a link with a client or colleague, you want it to be as easy to remember as possible. Second, shorter links look more professional. Long links can be off-putting, and can make you look unprofessional. By shortening your links, you’re showing that you care about the details and are willing to go the extra mile to make things look good.
Link Shortening Tool #1: Google URL Shortener
The first tool we’ll look at is Google URL Shortener. This is a free tool provided by Google, and it’s incredibly easy to use. Simply copy your Google Drive link, paste it into the Google URL Shortener box, and click “Shorten URL.” The tool will generate a new, shorter link that you can use instead of the original. One of the benefits of using Google URL Shortener is that it’s integrated with Google Analytics, so you can track clicks on your shortened links.
Step 1: Copy your Google Drive Link
The first step in using Google URL Shortener is to copy your Google Drive link. This can be done by right-clicking on the link and selecting “Copy link address.”
Step 2: Paste Your Link into Google URL Shortener
Next, go to the Google URL Shortener website and paste your link into the box provided. Click “Shorten URL” to generate your new, shorter link.
Step 3: Use Your New Link
Once you have your new, shortened link, you can use it in place of the original Google Drive link. This new link will be much easier to remember and share, and will look more professional than the longer link.
Link Shortening Tool #2: Bitly
The second tool we’ll look at is Bitly. This is another popular link shortening tool that’s used by many businesses and individuals. Bitly offers a number of features, including the ability to track clicks on your links and customize your links with your own branded domain. To use Bitly, simply create an account, copy your Google Drive link, and paste it into the Bitly box.
Step 1: Create a Bitly Account
The first step in using Bitly is to create an account. This can be done by going to the Bitly website and clicking “Sign Up” in the top right corner of the page. Follow the prompts to create your account.
Step 2: Copy Your Google Drive Link
Next, copy your Google Drive link by right-clicking on the link and selecting “Copy link address.”
Step 3: Paste Your Link into Bitly
Once you have your Bitly account set up and your Google Drive link copied, paste your link into the Bitly box and click “Shorten.”
Step 4: Use Your New Link
Finally, use your new, shortened Bitly link in place of the original Google Drive link. This link will be much easier to remember and share, and will look more professional than the longer link.
Link Shortening Tool #3: TinyURL
The third tool we’ll look at is TinyURL. This is a simple, no-frills link shortening tool that’s been around for years. To use TinyURL, simply copy your Google Drive link, go to the TinyURL website, paste your link into the box provided, and click “Make TinyURL.”
Step 1: Copy Your Google Drive Link
As with the other tools we’ve looked at, the first step in using TinyURL is to copy your Google Drive link.
Step 2: Go to the TinyURL Website
Next, go to the TinyURL website by typing “tinyurl.com” into your browser’s address bar.
Step 3: Paste Your Link into TinyURL
Once you’re on the TinyURL website, paste your Google Drive link into the box provided and click “Make TinyURL.”
Step 4: Use Your New Link
Finally, use your new, shortened TinyURL link in place of the original Google Drive link. This link will be much easier to remember and share, and will look more professional than the longer link.
Link Shortening Tool #4: Ow.ly
The fourth and final tool we’ll look at is Ow.ly. This is a link shortening tool provided by Hootsuite, a popular social media management platform. Ow.ly offers a number of features, including the ability to track clicks on your links and the ability to customize your links with your own branded domain. To use Ow.ly, simply create a Hootsuite account, copy your Google Drive link, and paste it into the Ow.ly box.
Step 1: Create a Hootsuite Account
The first step in using Ow.ly is to create a Hootsuite account. This can be done by going to the Hootsuite website and clicking “Sign Up” in the top right corner of the page. Follow the prompts to create your account.
Step 2: Copy Your Google Drive Link
Next, copy your Google Drive link by right-clicking on the link and selecting “Copy link address.”
Step 3: Paste Your Link into Ow.ly
Once you have your Hootsuite account set up and your Google Drive link copied, paste your link into the Ow.ly box and click “Shrink.”
Step 4: Use Your New Link
Finally, use your new, shortened Ow.ly link in place of the original Google Drive link. This link will be much easier to remember and share, and will look more professional than the longer link.
In conclusion, shortening your Google Drive links is an important part of being a professional graphic designer. By using the tools we’ve outlined in this article, you can make your links more user-friendly, professional-looking, and easy to remember. Whether you choose to use Google URL Shortener, Bitly, TinyURL, or Ow.ly, you’ll be taking an important step towards making your design work more effective and memorable.
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
| Google URL Shortener | Free, easy to use, integrated with Google Analytics | Not as many features as other tools |
| Bitly | Offers a number of features, including the ability to track clicks and customize links with your own branded domain | Requires an account, can be more complex to use than other tools |
| TinyURL | Simple, no-frills tool that’s been around for years | Doesn’t offer as many features as other tools |
| Ow.ly | Offers a number of features, including the ability to track clicks and customize links with your own branded domain | Requires a Hootsuite account, can be more complex to use than other tools |