MobiZend URL Shortening and Link Management Service: Feature Overview and Custom Domain Integration
MobiZend offers a tiered URL shortening and link management service designed to cater to a variety of user needs, from basic link sharing to sophisticated branding and analytics. Five distinct plans – Free, Personal, Professional, Business, and Enterprise – provide varying levels of functionality. This document details the features of each tier and provides a comprehensive guide to custom domain integration.
Tiered Service Overview:
Free: This entry-level plan provides access to MobiZend's core URL shortening functionality. Users can create shortened links using two default system domains shared amongst all free users. This plan is ideal for casual link sharing and basic tracking. It does not support custom domains.
Personal: This plan unlocks advanced features, including the ability to use custom branded domains on 500 links. Personal subscribers can add up to three (3) custom domains to their account, enhancing brand visibility and trust. This tier also includes more link features, comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities (details of which are beyond the scope of this document).
Professional: Designed for businesses and power users, the Professional plan offers a higher level of customization and control. Subscribers can utilize up to ten (10) custom domains, and 2,000 links further maximizing branding opportunities. This tier also includes advanced analytics, API access, more pixels, and other enterprise-grade features (details of which are beyond the scope of this document).
Business: Designed for growing business and brands, the Business plan offers the balance between Professional and Enterprise. Subscribers can utilize up to twenty five (25) custom domains, and 10,000 links further maximizing branding opportunities. This tier also includes advanced analytics, API access, more pixels, and other enterprise-grade features (details of which are beyond the scope of this document).
Enterprise: Designed for large companies and agencies, the Enterprise plan offers the highest grade of features and limits we can offer - mostly unlimited. Subscribers can utilize up to one hundred (100) custom domains, UNLIMITED links, pixels and spaces, offering a breadth of opportunity for your business and clients. This tier also includes advanced analytics, API access, more pixels, and other enterprise-grade features.
Shared System Domains:
Regardless of the chosen plan, all users have access to multiple system domains provided by MobiZend. These shared domains allow all users to benefit from URL shortening even without a custom domain. It's important to note that these domains are shared across all users, so shortened links using them will not offer the same level of branding as a custom domain offered on paid tiers.
Custom Domain Integration (Premium and Professional Plans):
Custom domains provide a significant advantage in branding and link recognition. They allow users to replace the generic MobiZend short link with a branded URL, increasing click-through rates and building trust. The process of adding and activating a custom domain involves two key steps:
Domain Addition via Control Panel: Paid plans can add their custom domains directly through the MobiZend control panel. This involves providing the domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com) and verifying domain ownership. The verification process typically involves adding a CNAME record (sub domain) or A RECORD (root domain) provided by MobiZend to your domain's DNS settings. This step proves to MobiZend that you control the domain you are trying to add.
Backend Activation and SSL Enablement: After successfully adding the domain through the control panel,
users must notify MobiZend. This notification triggers a manual process on the MobiZend backend. The MobiZend team will configure their systems to recognize your custom domain and associate it with your account. Critically, this step also includes the provisioning and installation of SSL certificates for your custom domain. SSL encryption (HTTPS) is essential for security and SEO. Without this backend activation, the custom domain will not function correctly.
Technical Considerations:
DNS Records: Accurate DNS configuration is crucial for custom domain integration. Users must have access to their domain's DNS settings (typically through their domain registrar or hosting provider) to add the required CNAME record (sub domain) or A RECORD (root domain).
SSL Certificates: MobiZend handles the SSL certificate generation and installation. This ensures that all links using your custom domain are served over HTTPS, providing a secure and trusted experience for users. Users do not need to purchase or manage SSL certificates themselves.
Propagation: After adding the CNAME or A record, DNS propagation can take some time (up to 24-48 hours, although typically much faster). During this period, the custom domain may not resolve correctly. MobiZend's backend activation process will not be completed until propagation is largely complete.
In summary: MobiZend provides a flexible and scalable URL shortening and link management service. While the Free tier offers basic functionality, all paid plans unlock the power of custom domains, enabling users to build brand recognition and enhance trust. The two-step custom domain integration process, involving both control panel addition and backend activation, ensures a secure and seamless experience. Users are advised to contact MobiZend support promptly after adding their domain through the control panel to initiate the backend activation and SSL enablement process.