What Are Short Links and Can They Be Used For Gift Cards?

Before we get into how to use short links to send digital gift cards, let's start by answering the first question: What are short links? 

The idea is, both take you to the same page. The second URL is an example of a short link, which is basically just a shorter version of a longer link. It seems too simple to be true, and yet it is. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, short links offer a wide range of flexibility for sending digital gift cards. 

With short links, or as we like to call them, gift links, you have the opportunity to maintain privacy, send gift codes through multiple channels, and get creative with your rewards and incentives campaigns. 

Here are a few reasons why you might choose to use gift links:

Giftbit allows you to upload a CSV of recipient information so that you can easily add contacts to your campaign; however, some surveys have privacy restrictions that don't allow contact information to be shared. If this is you - gift links are your answer. With gift links, you will be able to thank survey respondents without sharing contact information with a third party.

Maybe you are already interacting with recipients through their mobile devices? Or even better via text message? Gift links are a great way to send codes directly to a mobile user. If the recipient doesn't have data or wifi connection, short URLs make it easy to type gift codes onto another device. 

We all have a social media account – be it Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, the list goes on. Why not use these platforms as a way to send gift cards?

Maybe you want to reward users that are heavily engaging with your brand. Or perhaps you created a company event and want to thank attendees. As long as you have a way to message these people, you can send gift links with a personalized message.

The thing that makes short links especially attractive is the high level of flexibility they provide. There is nothing stopping you from adding gift codes to your business cards, setting up a booth at a trade show, and handing out unique “swag cards” to guests.