Before you start
- You know the basic parts of a Shortpen Link: destination URL, domain, slug, title.
- You can create and edit links in the Links area.
- If you’ll track conversions, first install the ShortPen Pixel and create events.
Naming best practices (slugs, folders, tags)
1. Slugs: short, readable, pronounceable
Preferbrand.com/campaign-offer over random strings or special characters. It’s easier to share in email, social, and spoken contexts.
Keep slugs stable once printed on QR assets (see QR note below).
2. One convention, everywhere
Pick a single pattern (e.g.,q3-launch-2025 or 2025-q3_launch) and stick to it across slugs, folder names, and tags. It keeps filters, bulk edits, and analytics clean.
3. Plan UTMs up front
Align on lowercase keys/values (e.g.,utm_source=newsletter) and a small, approved list of sources/mediums/campaigns.
4. Organize with folders + tags (together)
Put each link in one folder for ownership/context. Add multiple tags for cross-cutting views (channel, audience, objective).QR Codes: What to remember
A QR encodes the link (domain + slug). If you later change slug or domain, the previous link will no longer work. Re-download and replace everywhere.Learn more: What happens to a QR Code after changing a link?
Learn more: Best practices for QR Codes in offline campaigns
Troubleshooting common link issues
“This slug is already in use”
“This slug is already in use”
Why it happens: Slugs must be unique per domain.Fix: In Basic settings → URL, pick a different slug or choose another connected domain.
Learn more: How to resolve a slug conflict in ShortPen
“My QR doesn’t open the right page”
“My QR doesn’t open the right page”
Likely cause: You changed slug or domain after generating the QR.Fix: Open the link, go to QR Code, confirm the preview shows the current URL, then download a fresh QR and replace the old asset.
Learn more: What happens to a QR Code after changing a link?
“Events aren’t recording on this link”
“Events aren’t recording on this link”
Quick checklist:
- In Basic settings, confirm Enable Event Tracking is ON for the link.
- Confirm the event exists and is enabled.
- Verify the ShortPen Pixel is installed and the allowed domain matches the destination.
- Remember: events track from creation onward (no backfill).
Learn more: How to create your first event in ShortPen
“The social preview didn’t update”
“The social preview didn’t update”
“Analytics look mixed after a big destination change”
“Analytics look mixed after a big destination change”
Why: Changing destination doesn’t reset analytics. The link object continues collecting data.Fix: For major pivots, duplicate the link and use the new URL there to keep reporting clean.
FAQ
Do I lose analytics if I edit a link?
Do I lose analytics if I edit a link?
No. Changing the destination keeps analytics on the same link object. Consider duplicating for big pivots.
What if I changed my QR design colors or logo. Do I need to reprint?
What if I changed my QR design colors or logo. Do I need to reprint?
If only the design changed (not the URL), the old codes still scan. Reprint only for branding consistency.