Practical course: from the first link to campaign management

Work through this course in order. Use your own test pages or https://example.com/ URLs without real orders or customer data. Do not change a published production link just to experiment. Replace sample codes with your own if they are already taken.

Each step has a goal, actions and a result to verify. If a feature is missing, first check that you are signed in and have the required permissions. See the Complete user guide for detailed fields and limits.

Step 1. Create your first managed link

Objective: get a short address that can be changed later.

1. Register, confirm your email and log in. Close the welcome window.
2. On the main page, insert https://example.com/?lesson=first.
3. For your first attempt, keep the link without an expiry date or a click limit. If custom identifiers are available, choose one that is not already in use, for example learn-sergey-01.
4. Click the scissor button and copy the result.
5. Open the result in a separate tab. Then find the link in "My Links".

Checking the result: the expected page opens, the short address is in your list, the card is available. If you created a link before logging in, create another one for training after logging in: the previous anonymous link does not automatically become yours.

Now paste the short URL back into the main form and use the ? button to look it up. Compare this with actually opening the link: lookup should not consume a click.

Additional security practice: in the profile, open «Security» and check the available sign-in methods. If a code from an email is available, sign in with it in another browser; the same code cannot be reused. In the first browser, end other sessions and make sure the second one requires sign-in again. If both sign-in methods are available, disable sign-in with the code and check password sign-in, then restore the desired setting.

Step 2. Learn to resolve errors

Task: confidently distinguish between an input error and an access refusal.

1. Try your own identifier with a space or Cyrillic alphabet. Read the message; replace it with the Latin alphabet, numbers, hyphen or underscore.
2. Try a misspelled address, for example https:///. Correct it and repeat.
3. Keep the correct short URL and the original destination URL in your notes.
4. Change the interface language, then return to Russian. Check that the address and link details remain the same.
5. Turn on the light, dark and gray themes one by one. Choose one that is convenient.

Checking the result: After an error, you can correct the field and get the result without restarting the entire process. You understand the difference between a button name in another language and an immutable technical identifier.

Step 3. Explore the link card and change a destination

Task: Update the landing page, keeping the published address.

1. In “My Links”, open the menu ... of the desired line and the statistics card.
2. Check out the tabs «Overview», «Statistics», «Activity» and «Settings».
3. In «Settings» → «Destination» change the address to https://example.com/?lesson=second.
4. Add a note “Tutorial Change Target URL” and save.
5. Go back to the same setting, check the value and open the previous short address.
6. Find an entry in the history of the target URL. See who made the change and when.

Checking the result: the short address is the same, the target URL is new, the history contains a change. For this exercise, leave the HTTP code 302 so that the persistent redirect cache does not interfere with monitoring.

Step 4. Control a link’s lifetime

Objective: set a controlled beginning and ending of a sentence.

1. Create a separate training link starting in an hour. Convert time to UTC.
2. Open it without logging in and make sure that the message about the future start is shown.
3. In the settings, remove the start time, set the limit 2 and the backup address https://example.com/?lesson=finished.
4. Perform two regular clicks on the link. The next opening should show the backup page.
5. Check the counter: backing up a link click after a limit is not a new normal use.
6. On another tutorial link, set the ending in the near future, check the behavior before and after it.

Checking the result: You can explain which setting completed the click on the link. Perpetual mode does not cancel the limit, and the backup address does not help after the link itself is deleted.

Step 5. Organise links and use bulk operations

Challenge: Manage a set of links without confusion.

1. Create groups “Training Campaign” and “Print”, select icons.
2. Add one educational link to both groups via its card.
3. Rename one group and check that the link's destination URL hasn't changed.
4. Export the list of links to CSV and open the file with a text editor. Find the headers and the line you want.
5. Prepare a new small CSV with two new destinations. Use only column url or the example from the full manual.
6. Import it and check the result of each row and the new entries.
7. To check for errors, make a separate file with one correct and one incorrect line. Make sure that partial success does not require repeating an already stored line.

Check the result: You know that CSV transfers the main addresses and deadlines, but does not save all the settings. When deleting a group, you notice a separate checkbox that can delete its own links found only in that group.

Step 6. Separate channels with UTM parameters

Task: distinguish between clicks on a link from a newsletter and a poster on one page.

1. In «UTM tools», create a Training Launch campaign with utm_campaign=learning_launch.
2. Create a mailing template: utm_source=newsletter, utm_medium=email, utm_campaign={campaign_name}.
3. Link the training link to your campaign/template, set it to utm_content=button_a and save.
4. Create a separate print link with utm_source=poster, utm_medium=offline, same campaign.
5. Open both links and compare the full address in the target tab.
6. Modify the template, then apply the changes to the associated links separately. Check what values ​​have changed.
7. On one test link, clear the UTM and make sure that the extraneous parameter, for example lesson=second, is preserved.

Check the result: You can name the source, channel, campaign and variant of each placement. Changing the label in the directory and updating previously created links are conscious separate actions for you.

Step 7. Prepare a dynamic QR code and a contact card

Challenge: get a layout that is actually readable.

1. Open the QR of the print link and select the "Link" content mode.
2. Choose a layout, set contrasting colors, a short caption and border text.
3. Drag the QR, change the size with a marker, then refine the coordinates with the fields.
4. Add one decorative block; change the rotation and transparency. Make sure it doesn't overlap the code and the free space around it.
5. If necessary, upload a valid background, compare fit and padding with cropping.
6. Save, download SVG, PNG and PDF. Open the files and compare the results.
7. Print a test copy and scan with your phone. Change the target URL of the link and scan the same fingerprint again.
8. On a separate layout, enable vCard, fill out the contact, download and scan. Change the contact in the editor and compare the old and new files.

Result check: Dynamic QR follows the new target URL without retyping. The old vCard retains the old contact embedded and should not be treated as a dynamic link with scan statistics.

Testing the new editor: change the color or position of an element, click «Undo change», then «Redo change» and compare the results. Change the phone number on the business card and make sure the preview updates. Save the layout, open «Checking QR readability», and download the JSON. For testing purposes, place an opaque shape over the code: the report should indicate a problem. Remove the shape, save again, and check the final PNG with a phone camera.

Step 8. Set up visitor access

Task: select the appropriate protection and go through the entire chain.

1. On a separate training link, set the visitor password. In a new private window, try the wrong password, then the correct one.
2. Add a warning and preview page. Check which confirmations appear consistently.
3. Change the password, then uncheck it separately. Check in a new session after each action.
4. If mail delivery is available, enable OTP and allow your test email. Request a code, enter it and check the click on the link.
5. Check the denial for an address outside the allowed list. After the exercise, do not leave someone else's real address in the settings.
6. For referrer, use a page you manage: place a training short link on it and resolve it to origin. Compare clicking on a link from this page and directly opening the address.

Checking the result: you understand why a QR or messenger may not pass the referrer restriction, and do not confuse the link password, account password, OTP and general report password.

Step 9. Test routing without generating traffic

Objective: master the new simulator and check the rules before publication.

1. Create a link with the main destination URL https://example.com/?variant=default.
2. Add a rule for the language ru, with destination https://example.com/?variant=ru, priority 10, and no other conditions.
3. Open «Check before publishing», write down the current link counter.
4. In the simulator, set ru, then en, then an empty language. Compare selected target URLs.
5. Add device ios to the rule; Compare the desktop User-Agent and the iPhone line from the manual.
6. Set the action interval and compare the time inside and outside it. Enter all times in UTC.
7. Return to statistics: simulations should not increment counters and create events.

Now create two regular rules with the same priority and weights 1 and 1, different options for the target URL. Check out virtual visitors 1, 2, 3 and beyond. Repeat the same number with the same User-Agent: the choice should be stable with the same rules.

Checking the result: you can check the positive scenario, non-compliance with the condition, unknown signs and schedule. You do not require an exact 50/50 on multiple visitors and understand that the simulator does not verify the passage of the password or visit the target site.

Step 10. Read the preflight report

Challenge: Find problems before posting a link.

1. Open «Check before publishing» from the tutorial link.
2. Read each note and its level. Separate the expected settings from what needs to be fixed.
3. For the exercise, set 301, completion in the next 24 hours and a small remainder of clicks on the link. Refresh the report and look for relevant warnings.
4. Mix the rule with and without weight in one priority. Investigate the warning and correct the configuration.
5. Return the required values, refresh the report and download the JSON.
6. Find the time, short address, schemaVersion and array findings in the file. Change the interface language: machine codes of comments should retain their meaning.

Result check: You can explain each remaining comment. Lack of recent status information is not considered a successful network test. Even if there are no comments, you perform one real control visit.

Step 11. Measure clicks and conversions

Objective: understand the source of each indicator.

1. Open the tutorial link with a regular browser, then through the dynamic QR.
2. Compare total counter, detailed activity and QR scans. Don't add up the numbers automatically.
3. View devices, browsers, referrer and UTC time. Find unknown values ​​if the query did not return information.
4. If you're managing a test landing page, place a pixel on its successful action page and execute that action once.
5. Find the event in the activity. Open the page again and check if the event occurs again.
6. For server integration, send a conversion POST with your token and test metadata; check recorded: true and event record.
7. Export CSV and JSON analytics. Find organic visit, QR and conversion lines.

Result check: you differentiate between a click on a link and a conversion, understand the limitations of the technical definition of a unique visitor, and know how to compare the report with the actions performed. Attribution and heatmap use their own 30-day windows.

Step 12. Set up notifications and automation

Task: receive the necessary events with a verifiable result.

1. In your profile, enable an available notification channel and set the minimum interval. For Telegram, use your chat available to the bot.
2. Perform one real click on the link, check the receipt, then repeat within the interval and evaluate the filtering.
3. If you have your own public HTTPS handler, add webhook click in mode every_click.
4. Click on the link and match the resulting JSON with the short identifier and counter. Check the latest delivery status on the website.
5. On the new tutorial link, configure exact_click=3, click the link three times and check the threshold. Then try every_nth_click=2 separately.
6. Turn off the webhook, check the status and remove the tutorial setup when it is no longer needed.

Checking the result: you check the log of the real receiver, and not just the presence of the webhook row in the table. You consider the lack of HMAC signature and guaranteed re-delivery in the current protocol. If you don't have your own handler yet, first study the example request body in the tutorial and come back to this exercise once you've prepared it.

Step 13. Share access with a colleague and a report with a recipient

Task: separate control and viewing of the result.

1. Ask a colleague to use their own account. In the profile, specify his name and only display links/metrics.
2. From your colleague's account, check access to the card and new tools. Make sure that the right to delete does not appear automatically.
3. Add the required right for a specific type of work, for example UTM, and check the allowed action.
4. In link integrations, enable general statistics in password-protected mode.
5. Open the public address in a private window, check the incorrect and correct password. Compare the report with the owner's page.
6. Disable the shared page and revoke your coworker's educational access. Check the result on both sides.

Checking the result: you choose between transmitting the report and issuing permissions, do not transmit the general account password and know how to terminate access.

Checking independent rights: grant a colleague only QR management and future access duration in UTC. Make sure they open the QR editor but do not see statistics, security settings, or webhooks. Click «Change rights» and add statistics viewing; after saving, check the appearance of the necessary tabs. Revoke access and make sure that a repeated request from the previous tab does not open the tool.

Step 14. Use a custom domain, the API and destination recovery

Task: prepare self-integration and be able to fix the launch error.

1. If you have your own domain, add it, host a verification file, verify ownership, and prepare domain maintenance. Check the finished short address from the outside.
2. Submit the minimum public API request from the manual and parse shortUrl, isExisting, dates and status.
3. Try invalid URL and busy ID. Handle HTTP status and native code without endless replays.
4. If you are provided with a commercial token, create through the commercial endpoint with a Bearer token. Don't put it in public browser code.
5. In the tutorial link, change the target URL twice with different notes. Find the version at a given UTC time and rollback.
6. Check the actual link click and the new history entry. Check UTM, timing and routing separately: the history of the target URL does not restore all settings.

Result check: You differentiate between domain verification and technical availability, public API and commercial authorization, target URL rollback and full data recovery.

Additional domain practice: add your test subdomain, copy the shown TXT record name and value, save them with your DNS provider, and verify ownership. Create a CNAME to the address from the service instructions and perform DNS verification. Once HTTPS is ready, create a link on this domain and open it from another network. Disable the domain, check that clicks on the link stop, enable it again, and check once more. For the root domain, check in advance for support of ALIAS, ANAME, or CNAME flattening. Without your own domain, study this scenario using the guide and mark it as not yet completed.

Step 15. Complete a practice campaign

Prepare a campaign with a web page, mailing and printed QR. Use separate links and UTMs for channels, a common set of groups, clear identifiers, and a working fallback landing URL after the campaign ends.

Run sequentially:

1. Define the UTC start/end time and the number of clicks allowed on the link.
2. Save the target URL and rules for two languages or devices; test each branch with the simulator.
3. Review the diagnostic report, resolve unintended problems, and save the JSON.
4. Walk through the actual visitor journey in a new session, including any access restrictions.
5. Download and scan the QR, check the proof print.
6. Check the conversion and delivery of customized events; keep analytics export small.
7. Prepare a general report and issue the necessary rights to the employee.
8. Do a tutorial change to the target URL and return through history, then test again.
9. View the campaign on phone and in a different theme/localization.
10. Record short addresses, settings, verification date and person responsible for the campaign.

Completion Criteria: The other person can open your link, pass the required checks, get to the expected destination URL, and see the consistent report details. You can explain what will happen if the language is different, the time limit expires, the limit is reached, and there is no visitor information.

Step 16. Finish the course and keep your production links safe

1. Turn off training webhooks and notifications that are no longer needed.
2. Revoke temporary rights, close general reports.
3. Export the training results you need.
4. On the disposable training link, check the deletion and status of the old address.
5. Remove unnecessary groups by carefully checking the checkbox to remove the links they contain.
6. If you tried freezing your account, clear the account-freeze checkbox, save the change, and test actual redirects through your working links.
7. Keep a valid link for the printed material; When the promotion ends, change the target URL instead of deleting the QR used.

You have mastered the basic operation, access settings, organization, UTM, QR/vCard, routing, simulation, diagnostics, analytics, integrations and sharing. For a specific field, go back to Complete user guide, and for a short answer, go back to Help.