Tools · Links · ExtendLink
ExtendLink: short links and dynamic QR codes that keep working after you print them
Short links, link-in-bio pages and dynamic QR codes in one dashboard. Here's what ExtendLink is for and why dynamic QR codes are underrated.
Links are infrastructure. They end up on business cards, flyers, packaging, slide decks and social posts, and once they're out there you can't easily take them back. ExtendLink is the link management platform I run to make that less fragile. Short links and dynamic QR codes are the parts that make it safe to print a link.
What it includes
- Branded short URLs with real-time click tracking and support for custom domains.
- Link-in-bio pages with themes, social links and per-link analytics.
- Dynamic QR codes tied to short links, so you can change where the code points without reprinting it.
- A developer API for creating and managing links from your own tools.
There's a free plan, so trying it doesn't require a credit card.
Why dynamic QR codes matter
A static QR code encodes the destination URL directly. If that page moves, every printed code is broken. A dynamic code points at a short link instead, and the short link redirects wherever you tell it to. You can fix a typo, swap a seasonal offer or point an old flyer at a new page, all without touching the print.
You also get data you'd never have otherwise: how many people scanned, when and roughly from where. For a restaurant menu, a trade show booth or a direct mailer, that's the difference between guessing and knowing.
A few habits worth having
Use a custom domain when you can, because a recognizable domain gets more trust than a generic shortener. Name your links so you can find them later. And add UTM parameters to the destination so your analytics tool sees the campaign, not just "direct" traffic.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static QR code encodes the final URL directly, so it can't change. A dynamic QR code encodes a short link that you can redirect later.
Do dynamic QR codes expire?
They keep working as long as the short link service and your account do. That's why it matters who controls them.
Can I track scans of a dynamic QR code?
Yes. Because scans pass through the short link, you can see counts and basic analytics.
Should I use a branded short link?
If you can. A recognizable domain is easier to trust and keeps working if you move tools, as long as you control the domain.
This post is about one of my projects: extendlink.com. See all of them on the projects page.