Overview

Building a personal URL shortener has always been a dream of mine, and this project perfectly encapsulates why. Not only does it make sharing links easier and more memorable for myself and others, but it also adds a unique touch to my online presence. With the use of free domains like .ml or .tk, anyone can set up a custom URL shortener with minimal expense. The overall process combines various modern web technologies, ultimately yielding a functional and stylish app that looks great.

In this post, I’ll outline the tech stack and the steps involved in creating your own URL shortener from scratch. By combining NextJS, Chakra UI, Firebase Firestore, and Vercel, you can have your link-shortening service up and running in no time.

Features

• Free Domain Registration: Easily obtain a free domain from Freenom, allowing for a custom URL shortener without any cost.
• Modern Tech Stack: Built with NextJS for server-side rendering, Chakra UI for beautiful components, and Firebase Firestore for seamless data storage.
• Custom Redirects: Users can navigate to short custom URLs which redirect them to longer, full URLs effectively.
• User-Friendly Database Management: Firebase Firestore simplifies data management with a straightforward structure, making it easy to add and manage short links.
• Hosting on Vercel: Leverage Vercel’s capabilities for fast and efficient hosting, ensuring your URL shortener is always online.
• Responsive Design: Thanks to Chakra UI, the application is mobile-friendly and adapts perfectly to various screen sizes.
• Scalable Solution: The structure allows for easy addition of new links without compromising the integrity or performance of the app.
• Test Mode for Development: Firebase Firestore can be set up in test mode, providing a risk-free environment for experimenting and testing your application.