Using URL shorteners are a great way to share and track hits on your postings across social networks (and even in emails). One medium that is often not thought of when using short URLs is the real world. Want to track when someone visits your site from a real world placement think print, as in a brochure, wall flyer on a campus board, even your business card? Use a short URL. Making it easy to remember is important too.

Making a custom shortened URL is incredibly easy, the only hard part is choosing the way you want it to be presented. Below is an example of a custom URL using J.mp, the site bought by Bit.ly a while back.

All you have to do is after you create your shortened URL with J.mp, go over to the custom URL box and type in the words or phrase you’d like to use. Sometimes the URLs are taken just like usernames. I usually find one within a try or two.

Think about making it easy to type in, http://j.mp/du5BX4 vs http://j.mp/YourBrandName is a lot easier to say and read off. Also think about when you’re on the phone with a client and trying to give them a link to a very long complicated address. Make it easy to rattle off ,think lower case, no alternating numbers and letters.