In this post, you will learn how vanity URLs can help sell and scale your business. You’ll see how a seemingly small step can have a big impact on how your business is positioned and understood by both current and potential customers.

You will learn what a vanity URL is and isn’t; and the benefits, best practices, and marketing strategies being used to get your company and its offerings as much visibility as possible.
This is for you if you want to know how vanity URLs affect your business and can get you to the top and stay there. Here we go.

First things first.

Let’s briefly go over a few basic terms and ideas to lay the foundation from which we will build upon:

The word vanity refers to the clarity and instant recognition something brings to the table while serving its purpose. It shouldn’t be thought of as a negative characteristic (after all, no one wants to be considered vain), rather it refers to the quality of appearance.

As a small, midsize or enterprise company, appearances are important. How your business is showcased impacts your brand’s awareness and overall integrity. Clear and concise branding that is consistent on all channels creates trust, consistency and awareness.

What is a vanity URL?

A vanity URL has been reworked from its original URL comprising an extended sequence of numbers, letters, characters, and words, that comes across as long and hard to remember, into a short link that is truncated to become nicer looking and “clean.”

Use a vanity URL to:

• Drive users online to your offering
• Track metrics
• Promote a call to action

Vanity URLs used across social media channels empowers how users interact online. It’s a small aesthetic change that makes sharing content so much easier. Corporate emails, press releases, online presentation slides – include your vanity URL in any of these digital materials to make access more streamlined and less daunting. A nice-looking URL can be the difference between attracting a client or losing their attention.

The Benefits of Vanity URLs

Cleaning up your URLs brings cohesion and cleanliness across your online and offline touchpoints.

In an online meeting, for example, if you’re presenting a remote sales presentation to potential clients, at the end of your pitch, you’ll want to include direct access to all your platforms (web conferencing included). Leave a good impression with an aesthetically pleasing final page that has all your accounts neatly designed, using vanity URLs.

Here are a few more advantages:

• Better Brand Awareness
  Your brand, your link. Don’t waste a valuable opportunity to get your brand out there which will be seen more as you share other people’s content.
• Heightened Sense of Trust
  A vanity URL immediately conveys to users that you’re not promoting something spammy or clickbaity. Your link instills a sense of confidence that they will be directed to quality content that relates to them and is on par with your brand.
• Link Management Control
  Your own branded link gives you free rein to edit and manage where users end up. Plus, it helps you categorize and organize for easy access and fast locating.
• Stronger SEO
  Bonus points if you can squeeze in a keyword. Not only will your brand be seen, but you’ll rank higher with an association to your keyword everywhere you have a vanity URL.
• Share it Offline
  Your vanity URL can be used on takeaway items like notebooks, t-shirts, and other swag; plus on all communications materials too such as direct mail, in shops and more.
• Improved Stickiness-Factor
  Real words will always trump long number sequences with special characters. You want your url to “stick” out as much as possible rather than it being generic, and passed over.

3 Things To Remember About Vanity URLS:

• They should be
  Concise: The shorter, the better!
• Easy to remember: Make it snappy and “sticky” (so people can memorize it)
• On-brand: Reflect your brand name or provide a great offer

Vanity URL Best Practices:

Practice #1

Not every single link you share needs to be a vanity URL. While its purpose is to make your brand-associated links more eye-catching and concise, if you’re already getting traffic, then no problem! Conversely, for link management purposes, taking that extra step to clean up link after link after link will be worth it later on when you’re searching for data.

Practice #2

Trust is huge. That’s why your vanity URLs should be complete words that best describe your content or brand. You want to make sure your user is clear about where the link is taking them. This transparency helps to differentiate your top-notch brand from other doubtful, sub par URLs. Be as forthcoming about content, even if the link is taking users to a third party site – mention that in the vanity URL.

Practice #3

Plug in your vanity URL as part of your SEO strategy. Visible cohesion across all your various social media and web conferencing channels work together to enhance your SEO and fortify your current marketing strategy.

With a better understanding about what a vanity URL is and isn’t; how they can build better brand awareness by promoting trust and consistency, and three things to remember when you build your own – now you might be wondering:

So how do you make a vanity url?

If you want to turn the long link to your company’s support portal into something less scary-looking; or make the extended URL to your landing page more simple, start here:

1. Choose a hosting service like Bit.ly or Rebrandly
2. Select the actual vanity URL you want to use, around 8-11 characters is ideal.
3. Buy the vanity URL using a domain registration site like GoDaddy
4. Access the “account settings” tab in your hosting service (like Rebrandly for example) and click the “custom short domain” option. Your newly purchased vanity URL should be accessible.
5. At this point, your vanity URL needs to be verified. Access your Domain Name System page and contact your domain registrar for next steps.
6. Visit Rebrandly (or the specific service you chose) to confirm your shortened URL and ensure they are aware of the change.

Vidcall gives you branding power over your communication platform. Set up branded online meeting pages, emails and a web conferencing custom subdomain, www.yourname.vidcall.io

Now, what do you want to do with it? There are plenty of ways to use it to discourage emails from ending up in spam folders and encourage more click-throughs to your offering, or provide users with a clear, easy-to-read entry point to your web conference.

When marketers were asked questions like why they enjoyed using vanity URLS, if they even liked them and did they feel like vanity URLs actually do anything, some interesting insights and applications came up. Marketers use vanity URLS to:

• Keep track of metrics (Google analytics)
  A vanity URL might be cosmetic, but they’re very handy for keeping tabs. Use them in your campaigns, emails or any kind of outreach, then follow customer behavior on Google Analytics. See who’s coming and going to and from where.
• Build brand integrity
  With some outlets only providing 140 characters or less to get out your brand name and CTA, you’ve got to maximize small spaces with a vanity URL that gets you seen.
• Track and advertise across social media
  Make your company known with a vanity URL on all social media outlets. Perhaps you want to generate more excitement and increase your audience to your upcoming teleseminar. Post your teleseminar’s web conference vanity URL on Instagram for an easy way for users to know what it’s about. Plus, you can track users’ behavior the moment they click on it to when a specific user leaves that destination.
• Amp up social media conversions
  Get more traffic to your live or pre-recorded webinars via Facebook and Twitter with a vanity URL that inspires conversions. A simple copy-and-paste of your vanity URL helps to generate more responses and create more leads. That means the webinar you crafted and will be hosting via video conference will attract more viewers. Live streaming your meeting? Include your YouTube vanity URL across your social media platforms for quick and immediate access that tracks and converts.
• Beef up Instagram
  Add to the polished and professional presentation of your personal or work-focused Instagram account by providing a vanity URL that takes users to a pre-recorded webinar or landing page. A clean and easy-reading link will inform users exactly what they’re getting themselves into.
• Scale your brand’s empire
  Build brand recognition when all your links have your brand name in them and look tidy. This extra step may be cosmetic, but it saves characters in social media posts and doesn’t take up a lot of space in presentations, digital resumes and more.
• Make a good impression
  Give users direct access to the launch of any new online marketing material like your recruitment campaign, service launch and more. If you’ve got a live streaming coming up or an online series of workshops – this is the perfect way to embed multiple channels without the clutter.
• Leave in comments, email and chat
  Drop your link in the comments you leave in forums, Facebook groups, text chats, video conferences. Treat it like a business card – it’s short, concise, leaves a good impression and includes all the necessary information.
• Include on takeaways, podcasts, radio, events and more
  Brand visibility is easier to attach across all your online and offline events. If you’re speaking, teaching, interviewing, hosting; your audience will thank you later for the catchy link. In fact, make it so catchy, you can say it out loud in the moment or add it to any printed material.
• Customize affiliate links
  When was the last time you encountered a pretty-looking affiliate link? Probably never or at least not in a while. Jazz up your company’s blog post with affiliate links that are more efficient when they’re more appealing to the eye.
• Create email campaigns
  Use your email list to send out newsletters, updates and important messages with vanity URLs that bring recipients to a video or open into an online chat room for a workshop.

Let Vidcall’s high-quality web conferencing technology provide you with the tools you need to create compelling content, connect your business to your audience, and also help you get your brand name out into the world. As an account holder, you have free rein to brand how you present your business in a web conference with customizable touchpoints, a brand-tailored user interface, custom sub domain and more.

Enjoy Vidcall’s full range of features that include screen sharing, meeting recording and the signature feature Cue™ – Vidcall’s very own AI-bot.

As we strive to continue to always ensure Vidcall remains ahead of the curve in the video conferencing industry, we’ve been working behind the scenes to meet the demands of our clients. On the in-call meeting screen, you’ll notice there is a new toolbar location that is now dynamic and offers better access to settings, plus an updated information bar.

Reviewing these functions has enabled us to tighten up how we create a fast and effective in-call user experience with Vidcall. Take a look at what we’ve been enhancing the past few months:

The New Toolbar Location

Researching the behaviors and patterns of participants quickly revealed that the floating menu with key commands such as mute, video, and share wasn’t as easily accessible as it could be. The floating toolbar menu was only accessed when a participant moved their mouse on screen or clicked on the display.

To avoid losing time and to make it more obvious, the tool bar has since been redesigned to remain static and visible at all times where it will remain at the bottom of the page permanently – even if the participant becomes inactive. With this more intuitive function, users don’t have to search and find the key functions when it’s all ready to go on command.

A Dynamic Toolbar

To make workflows easier and more streamlined, rather than having two toolbars, participants will notice that there is simply just the one toolbar at the bottom. This is where all the key functions are, but all secondary features have been neatly put away in a new overflow menu labeled, “More.”

Not only does this change in design declutter the screen, only having one toolbar simplifies navigation and offers immediate control of the more frequently used commands. Secondary commands like Meeting Details and Connection are put away for later use.

The main controls such as audio, view and leave are obvious and very visible so there’s no second guessing. Furthermore, the participant list and chat buttons are also on the right for quick access, while everything else is available on the left hand side of the screen.

Participants will also enjoy instantly resizing the menu that dynamically snaps to fit the device it’s being viewed on, whether that’s a mobile or tablet. Specifically on mobile, participants will be able to view the buttons first and remaining commands pushed up into the overflow menu.

Better Access to Settings
Nowadays, everyone expects customization. From your morning coffee and now to your video conferencing Meeting Room, customizing just how you want it is more possible than ever before. Looking to sync a piece of equipment to your laptop? Need to adjust the setting on your camera for optimized viewing? It’s now quick to click in your settings and get yourself up and running in minimal time.

If you want to change your virtual background or access wifi or camera to sync your device, verify which device is being used, it’s easy. Everything is laid out for you to see on the page.

There’s no more searching and clicking to get done what you need to. Even if you have to troubleshoot, it only takes a few seconds. Click the chevron beside the mic/camera icons, and you’ll notice all settings can be reached via the ellipsis menu. Less clutter and less clicks, lead to more productivity!

Updated Information Bar
For clients currently with Vidcall and prospective clients thinking about joining or other guests coming in from different services, another effective change that has taken place is the view change. Buttons for Gallery View and Speaker Spotlight plus full screen buttons have now been brought up to the top right of the information bar. Clear, and easy to view, this gives participants unimpeded access to seamlessly view changes when needed.
Located at the bottom, if participants want to see the meeting details, all they have to do is click the New Info button.

Gallery Layout when Screen Sharing and Presenting
Perfect for medium-sized meetings with presenters, now, when you present or share your screen, the view will default to the left sidebar view. This way, everyone has visibility of the shared content as well as the meeting participants – simultaneously. Simply drag the left sidebar back and forth to adjust the size of the tiles and bring the participants into view.
With Vidcall, participants can expect updated functions that provide ease of use, more organization, and faster access to functions and settings across the platform. Not only does it make for a more intuitive experience using sophisticated-looking software, anyone using Vidcall platform will quickly see its cutting edge capabilities. Participants will experience video conferencing technology at its peak.

Let Vidcall show your team what it’s like to use world-class software that runs parallel to today’s current trends and technological breakthroughs in video conferencing design.

for medium-sized meetings with presenters.

GOVERNMENTAL ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE MEETINGS

The government-industry can profit from video conferencing in a variety of ways. The following are some benefits of using video chatting for distant meetings:

Cost Savings:

By using video conferencing instead of in-person talks, you can save money on airfare, lodging, and other associated costs. This assists states in making significant financial savings that can be put to better use elsewhere.

Increased Productivity:

By removing the need for people to journey to a particular place, video conferencing can increase efficiency by cutting down on travel time This indicates that more can be done in less time.

Enhanced Accessibility:

As long as attendees have an internet link, video conferencing enables them to join meetings from any place. This improves accessibility by making it simpler for people who would otherwise find it difficult to travel to in-person gatherings for various reasons, including location, transportation, or other issues.

Improved Collaboration:

Video conferencing enables real-time file sharing of slideshows, papers, and other files. It also allows organizations to keep a meticulous log of meetings through transcriptions and meeting logs and summaries. This enhances teamwork and decision-making during virtual gatherings.

DIFFERENT DISTANT CONFERENCE FORMATS WITH VIDEO CONFERENCING

For a variety of distant gatherings, the government industry uses video conferencing. These talks may include

Cabinet Meetings:

Cabinet talks are a crucial step in the decision-making process in the administration. Cabinet members can engage in meetings online through video conference, which improves productivity and cuts down on time.

Meetings in House:

Video conference is now required for discussions in Parliament. Parliamentarians can take part in meetings and discussions using remote video conferencing, which makes it simpler for them to carry out their responsibilities.

International Conferences:

Government representatives attend foreign conferences and sessions to debate problems with a worldwide impact. Government representatives can join in these conferences online thanks to video conferencing, which lowers travel expenses and broadens accessibility.

Court Hearings:

Video conferencing is also used for judicial proceedings, allowing witnesses and specialists to take part in cases from a distance. This keeps a high degree of accountability and openness while saving time and money.

Telemedicine

For government organizations operating in the health field, video meetings have become an indispensable instrument. Telemedicine, which allows healthcare providers to offer medical services virtually using video conferencing technology, is one of the primary applications of video meetings in the health industry. Video sessions allow for effective cooperation and communication between government organizations and healthcare practitioners, academics, and other parties.

Health and Safety

Governmental organizations in charge of making sure health and safety regulations are followed increasingly rely on video meetings. For instance, government organizations in charge of inspecting workplace safety have and continue to consult with businesses and organizations virtually through video meetings.

EXAMPLES OF GOVERNMENTS USING VIDEO CONFERENCING IN DISTANT SESSIONS

Globally, several administrations have already begun using video conferencing for online talks. Here are a few instances:

United States Government:

For a number of years, the U.S. government has used video calling for distance talks. Due to the epidemic, video conferencing has recently become crucial. The US House now holds distant video conference meetings for congressional business.

United Kingdom Government:

For online talks, the UK government also employs video conferencing. The UK Parliament held its first-ever virtual parliament session in 2020, allowing Lawmakers to take part in discussions and submit queries online.

Australian Government:

The Australian government has been holding distant talks using video conferencing. The nation’s government has been holding online meetings in which MPs from all over the nation have participated virtually.

Indian Government:

The Indian government has been holding distant talks via video conferencing for a number of years. Video conferencing has been used by the Indian parliament for committee sessions and other significant events, making it simpler for members to join from a distance.

Canadian Government:

The Canadian government has also adopted video conferencing for remote meetings. The country’s parliament has been conducting virtual sessions, enabling MPs to participate in debates and legislative business from their respective locations.

SECURITY CONCERNS WITH VIDEO CONFERENCING

While video conferencing has many advantages for distance meetings, there are security issues as well that governments must handle to guarantee secure distance meetings. The possibility of illegal entry to private data is among the main security issues with video conferencing. To avoid hacking and illegal entry, governments must make sure the video conferencing software they use is adequately secured. The possibility of data leaks is yet another security issue with video chatting. Governments are required to make sure that the video conference software they employ conforms with data security regulations and that all information shared during the meeting is protected and safe. There are a few things governments should look for when choosing a secure video conferencing service.

WebRTC Based Software

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) video conferencing is considered more secure than traditional video conferencing methods for several reasons. To begin with, end-to-end encryption is used by WebRTC to secure data transfer. This means that data is encrypted before it leaves the sender’s device and can only be decrypted by the receiver. This stops illegal access to data and practically eliminates the ability of hackers to intercept or steal data while it is being transmitted. Second, there is no need to obtain any additional software or plugins because WebRTC runs completely within the browser. By doing this, the possibility of adware or infections downloading onto devices is decreased, which lowers the security risk they pose. Thirdly, WebRTC utilizes private peer-to-peer links, allowing information to be sent between devices without the need for external servers. This lowers the possibility of data leaks and guarantees that data is safe and private. In general, WebRTC video conferencing provides a high degree of security, making it a fantastic option for companies and groups needing dependable and secure video conferencing options.

Data Sovereignty in Your Country

Data sovereignty is the idea that information must abide by the rules and laws of the nation in which it is gathered, handled, and kept. Data sovereignty in the context of video conferencing refers to the idea that all information sent during a meeting, including chat messages, video and audio feeds, and files stay under the control of the nation where the meeting is being held. Data sovereignty is essential for increasing the security of video chatting because it makes sure that private data is still covered by the rules and laws of the nation where the conference is being held. The data transmitted during the meeting would be subject to US data sovereignty rules, for instance, if a US government agency held a video call with a foreign government agency. Sensitive material would benefit from an extra layer of security as a result of being covered by data privacy and security rules and regulations in the United States. Data sovereignty aids in preventing foreign states or organizations from gaining illegal access to data. Data sovereignty laws can stop foreign governments or organizations from getting or acquiring confidential information communicated during meetings by ensuring that data stays within the nation where the meeting is taking place. Data sovereignty can assist in ensuring that video conferencing platforms abide by local data protection rules and regulations in addition to offering legal security for private data. For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union mandates that the personal data of EU residents be kept within the EU. Video conferencing platforms can guarantee compliance with regional data protection laws and avert possible legal repercussions by making sure that data sovereignty laws are observed. Overall, data sovereignty is crucial for increasing the security of video chatting because it offers confidential data legal protection and ensures adherence to local data protection laws and regulations.

Proper compliance such as HIPAA and SOC2

Governments should carefully consider SOC2 (Service Organization Control 2) and HIPAA compliance when selecting a video conferencing service because they guarantee that the provider has put in place adequate controls to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. Companies that have proven conformance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Trust Services Criteria are given SOC2 compliance accreditation. A collection of guidelines known as the Trust Services Criteria is intended to evaluate the security, accessibility, handling integrity, secrecy, and privacy of service providers. Because it guarantees that the service provider has put in place the necessary measures to safeguard the security, integrity, and availability of data shared during video chats, SOC2 conformance is especially important for video conferencing services. Organizations handling private health information must adhere to HIPAA regulations (PHI). HIPAA lays out a set of requirements that businesses must adhere to in order to protect the security and safety of PHI. HIPAA compliance is important for federal organizations that deal with healthcare providers as well as organizations that manage health information, like the Department of Health and Human Services. Government organizations can feel secure knowing that the supplier of their video conferencing service has put in place the necessary safeguards to protect confidential data by selecting one that is SOC2 and HIPAA compliant. This includes safety precautions like data backups, access limits, encryption, and catastrophe recovery strategies. Additionally, SOC2 and HIPAA compliance guarantee that the service provider has experienced routine evaluations and assessments to guarantee ongoing adherence to pertinent standards and laws. The government sector will continue to depend heavily on video communication as we approach a post-pandemic world. Governments must make investments in reliable video conference solutions that are tailored to their unique requirements and that properly handle security issues. Do you need a dependable and safe video conference option for your business with the government? Vidcall is the only place to go. Advanced security features on our platform include end-to-end encryption and adherence to data protection regulations. To find out more about how Vidcall can assist your government in holding effective and safe remote talks, get in touch with us right away