?? Building a URL Shortener with Node.js and Express
In the digital age, long and complex URLs can be a hassle to share. That’s why I decided to build a URL Shortener using Node.js and Express.js—a simple yet effective tool that converts lengthy URLs into short, manageable links.
?? Why a URL Shortener?
A URL shortener is a service that transforms long URLs into shorter ones, making them easier to share and remember. It’s widely used on platforms like Twitter, emails, and marketing campaigns.
?? Tech Stack & Architecture
To ensure a well-structured and scalable project, I followed the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture, separating concerns between data handling, business logic, and UI presentation.
?? Key Features
? Shorten any long URL ? Custom short links (users can define their own short code) ? Auto-generated short links if no custom code is provided ? Stored in a database for persistent access ? Simple and user-friendly UI
?? How It Works
1?? The user enters a long URL in the input field. 2?? Optionally, they can provide a custom short link. 3?? Clicking the Shorten button generates a short URL. 4?? The short URL redirects users to the original long URL when accessed.
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? Project Workflow (MVC Architecture)
?? Project UI Preview
?? Future Enhancements
?? Click tracking & analytics ?? Expiry options for short URLs ?? User authentication to manage saved URLs
?? Conclusion
This project was a great learning experience, reinforcing backend development, RESTful APIs, and database integration. If you're interested in building something similar, feel free to reach out!
?? What do you think? Have you built a URL shortener before? Let’s discuss!
#NodeJS #ExpressJS #WebDevelopment #URLShortener #Coding #SoftwareDevelopment #MVC #MongoDB