It's that time again for a new project. What do I want? I'm going to make my own URL Shortener/Redirect service.

Why not use goo.gl? Well what's the fun in that?

The point of this is to learn a little bit more about PHP and Laravel. I already have quite a bit of PHP experience, but this would be my first Laravel. It's practically free for me to make a url shortener, other than a cheap domain name.

Here's my initial plan and expectations:

Creating the URL

1. Go to my domain name (still pending)
2. Paste your link into the form
3. Generate URL
4. Copy + Paste anywhere

Using a URL

1. Navigate to the URL
2. Go to my server
3. Store user information (IP Address, Time, whatever else I can get)
4. Redirect user

Backend

• Store URLs in a database
  • Table for redirects
  • Table for clicks
• Server code written in PHP/Laravel
• Aim for a less than 25ms response. This is a number I pulled out of thin air. I have no idea what the realistic expectations are.
• Store clicks (IP Address, Time)
• Provide information about shortened URL (how many clicks)

Other cool things that I could add:

• QR code
• Batch generators
• One time use or expire after N clicks

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