How to Automate Branded Links and QR Codes with SimpleURL + Make.com
If you're looking for a way to put your link management on autopilot, the Make.com integration page for SimpleURL has you covered. By connecting SimpleURL to over 2,000 apps via Make.com's visual scenario builder, you can effortlessly generate branded links and QR codes without writing a single line of code.
TL;DR
→ Verified Make.com App: SimpleURL is an officially verified integration on the Make.com platform. → Visual Automation: Use Make.com's visual canvas to connect SimpleURL to over 2,000+ business applications. → Advanced Logic: Leverage Make.com's Iterators and Routers for bulk creation and complex branching. → Four Core Modules: Create short links, generate QR codes from existing URLs, create both simultaneously, or set up branded domains. → Cost Effective: Maximize your ROI with Make.com's generous free tier and per-operation pricing structure.
What is the SimpleURL Make.com integration?
The SimpleURL integration on Make.com bridges the gap between your URL management platform and your broader technology stack. As a verified app on the Make.com ecosystem, SimpleURL allows you to visually map out workflows—known as scenarios—that trigger actions based on events from over 2,000 supported applications.
Whether you need to generate a new branded link when a row is added to Google Sheets or create a QR code for a new product on Shopify, the visual scenario builder makes it intuitive. You simply drag, drop, and connect nodes to define exactly how your data should flow into and out of SimpleURL.
Pro tip: You can find the official SimpleURL app listed directly on the Make.com app page.
Available modules
The SimpleURL app on Make.com currently provides four primary action modules designed to cover the core functionality of your URL shortening and QR code generation needs.
| Module Name | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Create Short URL | Instantly generate a shortened link using your default or custom domain. | Automated social media posting and SMS campaigns. |
| Create Short URL with QR Code | Generate a short link and simultaneously receive a downloadable QR code image link. | Event registration pipelines and print marketing. |
| Create QR Code for Existing URL | Pass an existing long URL to generate a dynamic QR code generator output. | Retrofitting legacy links for physical displays. |
| Create Branded Domain | Programmatically register new branded domains within your SimpleURL account. | Agency white-labeling and multi-tenant setups. |
Why Make.com for link automation?
If you are evaluating integration platforms, you might wonder how Make.com compares to Zapier (which we cover in our Zapier integration blog post). While both are excellent tools, Make.com excels in scenarios requiring complex logic and visual oversight.
Make.com's visual canvas allows you to see the entire flow of your data at a glance. It also includes powerful native tools like Routers (for creating multiple conditional paths in a single workflow) and Iterators (for splitting arrays of data into individual bundles—perfect for batch processing).
Furthermore, Make.com offers a highly generous free plan that includes 1,000 operations per month (compared to Zapier's 100 tasks). When you do need to scale, Make.com's per-operation pricing structure often proves more economical for high-volume automated link creation.
Top 8 automation use cases
Here are the most impactful ways you can leverage SimpleURL and Make.com to streamline your workflows.
Bulk link shortening with Iterator module
Need to process a massive spreadsheet of long URLs? Connect a Google Sheets or CSV module to a Make.com Iterator. The Iterator will loop through the rows, passing each long URL to the SimpleURL module to generate branded links in bulk, which can then be written back to the spreadsheet.
Multi-channel content distribution
When a new blog post is published (e.g., via an RSS feed), use a Make.com Router to split the workflow. You can generate a single short link in SimpleURL, and then simultaneously push that link out to Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, ensuring your short link analytics capture traffic from all sources under one roof.
E-commerce product links
Every time you add a new product to your Shopify store, automatically trigger a scenario that creates a branded short link and a corresponding QR code using SimpleURL. The scenario can then update your Shopify catalog or product description with the newly generated assets.
Smart lead scoring with branching
Using a webhook module, listen for clicks on your SimpleURL short links. When a click occurs, route the data to your CRM (like HubSpot or Salesforce). Use conditional logic to check if the lead exists, and if so, update their lead score based on the specific campaign link they clicked.
QR code pipeline for events
For webinar or event signups, trigger a Make.com scenario when a user submits an Eventbrite or Typeform registration. Automatically create a unique short URL and QR code for their ticket, and append it to their confirmation email using an email module.
Scheduled analytics digest
Set up a time-based trigger (cron job) to run every Friday at 5 PM. Use Make.com to fetch your latest short link analytics via SimpleURL's API, aggregate the data, format it into an HTML table, and send a weekly performance digest to your marketing team via Slack or email.
AI-powered link metadata
Pass long URLs through an OpenAI module in Make.com to automatically summarize the page content or extract keywords. Then, feed those AI-generated keywords into SimpleURL as auto-tags, keeping your link repository perfectly organized without manual data entry.
Zero-touch UTM attribution
When a new landing page is published, automatically append the correct UTM parameters using Make.com's text parser or data transformation tools. Pass the finalized, UTM-heavy URL to SimpleURL to create a clean, shareable branded link ready for ad campaigns.
How to set up SimpleURL + Make.com
Getting started takes only a few minutes. Here is how to build your first automated link scenario.
- Create a Make account: If you don't have one, sign up for a free account at Make.com.
- Create a new scenario: From your Make dashboard, click "Create a new scenario" to open the visual builder.
- Add the SimpleURL module: Click the large plus icon and search for "SimpleURL". Select the specific action you want to perform (e.g., "Create Short URL").
- Configure your connection: You will be prompted to add a connection. Enter your SimpleURL API key, which you can find in your account settings.
- Map data and activate: Connect your trigger app (like Google Sheets), map the dynamic data fields into the SimpleURL module, and turn your scenario "ON" to start automating.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is SimpleURL a verified app on Make.com?
Yes, SimpleURL is an officially verified application on Make.com. You can find us in the public app directory and add us to your scenarios instantly without needing manual API configuration.
2. Do I need a paid Make.com plan?
Not necessarily. Make.com offers a robust free plan that includes 1,000 operations per month, which is more than enough to handle light to moderate link automation tasks.
3. Can I use Make.com to create QR codes with SimpleURL?
Absolutely. The integration includes specific modules for generating QR codes. You can either create a short link with a QR code simultaneously, or generate a QR code for an existing URL.
4. How is Make.com different from Zapier for link automation?
Make.com provides a more visual interface, allowing you to see complex data flows. It also includes advanced built-in tools like Iterators and Routers for free, and offers a higher volume of operations on its free tier compared to Zapier.
5. Can I process links in bulk with Make.com?
Yes. By using Make.com's Iterator module, you can process arrays of data—such as multiple rows from a CSV or Google Sheet—and loop them through the SimpleURL module for bulk link creation.
6. Does the integration support branded domains?
Yes, you can specify which of your registered branded domains you want to use when creating short links, and even automate the creation of new branded domains entirely.
Ready to build your first scenario? Connect SimpleURL on Make.com or start your free trial — no credit card needed.