How to request a vanity URL

We're happy to help! Before submitting your request, please ensure that you have the following information ready:

1. Any particular vanity URLs you have in mind (5-6 characters in length is ideal)
2. The destination page’s URL 
   • Destination page is published (even if not complete) 
3. The campaign timeline 
   • Campaign start 
   • Campaign end (if applicable) 
4. Campaign objectives 
5. Target audiences 
6. How it will be used (Print, radio, word of mouth, etc.) 
7. How it will support the CTA
8. NOTE: we do not create or grant vanity URL's for the following:
• Soft documents (eg. PDF's, DOC, XLS, Ggl Doc, GSheet, etc) 
• Individuals (including business cards) 
• Websites using a URL structure other than www.ualberta.ca/...  
• Wordpress sites or other non-Sitecore websites  

What is a vanity URL?

• A custom short URL to support print and other offline campaigns 
  • Example: uab.ca/ggday to support Green and Gold Day 
• Aligns with institutional branding 
• University Relations Digital (UR Digital) puts tracking in place to help measure usage and interaction 
• Frequently used vanity URLs include bit.ly, t.co, and fb.com 

Best practices

• Short (5 or 6 characters) and to the point to maximize the potential for it being used  
  • It should be quick and easy to use on a mobile device 
  • It should not include a year reference (eg. uab.ca/xyz2021) 
  • A vanity URL should be easy to remember, use, & share 
• Should not be so generic that others could request the same 
• examples: uab.ca/golf, uab.ca/course, uab.ca/tuition 
• The vanity URL supports a Call-To-Action (CTA) and is not by itself the CTA 
• The destination page should be mobile and tablet friendly 
• The destination page should be a campaign-specific page - not a site homepage