FAQ

How does a URL shortener work?

A URL shortener works relatively simple. It is an application that runs on a short domain or URL such as iref.cc or www.iref.cc.
If you paste a long URL into the shortener you can give it a descriptive text.
Once you trigger the URL creation the application will create a shortened link with a unique ID.
This shortened ID points to the URL shortener application which stored the shortened URL and the target/original URL.
If a user clicks or calls the short URL the application looks for the target URL and simply forwards it.

How can you create a shortened URL?

Please follow the below step by step description:

• Go to www.iref.cc
• Copy a long link from the browser or from a page. Example long URL: "https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1250183863/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1638&creative=6742&creativeASIN=1250183863&linkCode=as2&tag=maxrep-21&linkId=2165124c9bf0d4e499bfc739d67f4c84"
• Paste it in the first field of the page where the text states “Paste the URL you want to shorten”
  
• Enter a short descriptive text in the second field, which states “Enter custom URL text”. This will be used during the link creation. In our example, the text will be “good book”.
  
• Click the button “Create”
• You will now see a confirmation page. Confirm the link creation.
  
• Link has been successfully created. You can now copy it from the message or via clicking the button “copy”.
  
• To test the link just paste it in the browser window. You will be forwarded to the correct URL.

How can you change or deactivate an existing shortened URL?

Login to your iref.cc account. Once logged in navigate to ”Url Overview”. In the list you will find your created URL.

Activation / Deactivation

not forward users anymore. Deactivated URLs do not count anymore as a created URL.
So you will be able to create a new URL if you have reached your quota.
If you want to deactivate or activate a URL simply click the button “Activate / Deactivate”.

Edit Entry

You can edit the URL entry. You can only edit the target URL. This means you can change to
which page the shortened link will point. Simply click on “edit entry” and edit the target url.

How can you use your own domains?

If you use one of our paid plans you can bring your own domain. This means that if you shorten a URL it will look like your very own link. This has several advantages such as: people will trust the link as it comes with your brand name, the conversion rate is high due to your brand name, it looks way nicer than a generic url which is not related to you or your brand. In case you are not yet using our paid service, it is now time to activate it. Login to your account and go to the subscription page. You can choose with the Basic/Starter package. This will allow you to bring your own domain and will also ensure direct forwarding without any commercials. This will raise the conversion rates and users will prefer this. To bring your own domain navigate now to the page “Domain Overview”.

Follow the described steps:

• Click on Add Domain
• Enter the domain you want to bring (You have to be the owner of the domain). Subdomains are possible and recommended if you want to connect it with your brand name. Examples are: maxrep.de / mybrand.com / nice.tshirts.de etc.
• Click on Create
  
• You will now see an overview with the domain name and a verification status as well as a verification token.
• Copy the verification token and log in to your domain registrar (examples goddady.com, webgo.de etc.)
• Navigate to the DNS settings
• Remove all TXT settings
• Add a TXT entry and paste the verification token as value
• Save the changes
• Navigate again to the domain overview page and click on “verify domain”
• It might be that you receive an error. This is not a problem it usually just takes a while till domain changes are taking effect. Retry the verification after a couple of minutes.
• Once successful you will get the message “Domain verified successfully! Please enter DNS information on your Domain.”
• You will now see a list of record types and values. You need to go back to your domain registrar and maintain those entries.
  
• Once you completed this step you can use your own short urls. Try it out!