How to Use SMSLeopard’s Link Shortener & Track Campaign Impact.
December 2, 2025
written by Maingi
In today’s fast-paced digital environment, tracking how your audience interacts with your messages is key to optimizing performance. Whether you’re running a product launch, event registration, or promotional campaign, understanding who clicked your link and what they did next makes all the difference.
With SMSLeopard’s built-in Link Shortener and UTM Tracking, you can now go beyond delivery reports — to measure true campaign engagement and ROI.
This guide breaks down how it works and how your business in Kenya can use it to get actionable insights from every SMS campaign.
Why Use a Link Shortener in SMS Campaigns?
SMS messages have limited character space — only 160 characters. Every word counts. Long URLs take up valuable space and look messy. That’s where SMSLeopard’s Link Shortener comes in:
Shorter, cleaner links: Replace long URLs with branded, compact ones that look professional.
Better user experience: Short links are easier to click and trust.
Accurate performance data: Every click is tracked in real time, helping you see what’s working.
By shortening and tracking your links, you transform every SMS into a measurable engagement tool.
How SMSLeopard’s Link Shortener Works
The feature is built directly into your SMSLeopard dashboard — no third-party tools required. Here’s how to use it step-by-step:
Step 1: Create Your Campaign Message
In your Compose Message window, write your SMS content as usual. Example:
“Hi {name}, our weekend sale is now live! Enjoy 20% off all products. Shop now: [paste your link here]”
Step 2: Insert Your Link
Paste your long campaign link (e.g., https://www.yourstore.co.ke/offers/weekend-sale) into the message box.
Step 3: Activate Link Shortening
Before sending, toggle ON the Link Shortener option. SMSLeopard automatically replaces your long link with a shortened version, like:
https://smsl.co/abc123
This short link will still lead to your full URL but now includes built-in tracking parameters.
Step 4: Send and Track
Once your campaign goes live, head over to your Analytics Dashboard. You’ll be able to view:
Total number of clicks
Unique clicks per recipient
Geographic distribution of clicks
Time and date when most clicks occurred
This data gives you a clear picture of which messages drove engagement and which audiences responded best.
UTM Tracking: Connect SMS to Google Analytics
SMSLeopard’s Link Shortener integrates seamlessly with UTM parameters, enabling you to track conversions directly in Google Analytics.
UTMs (Urchin Tracking Modules) are small codes added to your URLs that help identify traffic sources and campaign performance.
Example UTM link:
https://www.yourstore.co.ke/offers?utm_source=smsleopard&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=weekend_sale
With this, you can monitor in Google Analytics:
Traffic from SMS campaigns
Conversions (e.g., sign-ups, purchases)
Campaign ROI and effectiveness
It’s the perfect way to connect SMS engagement data with your website and ad performance.
Best Practices for Using SMSLeopard’s Link Shortener
To make the most of this feature, keep these best practices in mind:
1. Use Action-Oriented CTAs
Your link should follow a clear call-to-action. For example:
“Shop now”
“Confirm attendance here”
“Download your receipt”
2. Track Different Campaigns Separately
Create unique links for each campaign or audience. This allows you to compare performance — e.g., how your Mombasa branch customers engage vs Nairobi customers.
3. Combine with Segmentation
Use SMSLeopard’s Smart Contact Segmentation to send different shortened links to specific groups. Each segment can have its own tracked link for detailed insight.
4. Analyze and Adjust
After your campaign, check your click data and identify what worked. Maybe messages sent in the morning got higher engagement — use that insight to improve future campaigns.
Real-World Example: Retail Campaign in Kenya
Let’s say you’re a retailer in Nairobi running a weekend flash sale. You send out this SMS through SMSLeopard:
“48-HOUR SALE! Get 15% off all electronics this weekend. Tap here to claim your offer 👉 https://smsl.co/x2y3z4”
After 24 hours, your dashboard shows:
3,000 SMS sent
2,870 delivered
920 clicks (30.6% click-through rate)
Most clicks between 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
From this, you learn that:
The offer resonated strongly with your audience.
Morning SMS performs best for your target market.
You can retarget non-clickers later with a reminder message.
This kind of data-driven marketing is what separates good campaigns from great ones.
Why Businesses in Kenya Trust SMSLeopard
SMSLeopard isn’t just a bulk messaging tool — it’s a complete communication and analytics platform. Businesses across Kenya use it to:
Deliver high-speed, reliable messages across all major carriers.
Create automated campaigns using triggers and segments.
Integrate WhatsApp and ChatSasa for richer customer engagement.
Maintain compliance with Kenya’s Data Protection Act.
Analyze real-time performance data for smarter decision-making.
Whether you’re in retail, banking, education, or public service, SMSLeopard gives you everything you need to reach, measure, and grow your customer relationships.
Get Started Today
Ready to simplify links and measure campaign success with precision?
1️⃣ Log in to your SMSLeopard dashboard. 2️⃣ Compose your next message. 3️⃣ Toggle “Shorten Links” before sending. 4️⃣ Track your results live in Analytics.
It’s that easy to move from guessing to knowing your campaign’s impact.
Final Thought
Every SMS you send is a touchpoint with your audience — make it measurable. With SMSLeopard’s Link Shortener and UTM Tracking, you can now track every click, connect campaigns to conversions, and continuously improve your ROI.
Your messages deserve to perform better — let’s make every one count. 👉 Visit SMSLeopard.com and experience data-driven messaging today.