## 👋 Why I Built Link-Trim.in
A few months ago, I needed a no-nonsense URL shortener for personal projects—something ad-free, lightweight, and easy to deploy. Existing tools felt bloated, so I built Link-Trim.in. Here’s how I went from a domain name to a live app, with some hard-earned lessons along the way.

Step 1: Choosing & Binding the Domain

  • Goal: A short, memorable name.
  • Went with Link-Trim.in (cheap TLD + clear purpose).
  • Registrar: Namecheap (for simplicity).
  • Challenge: DNS propagation delays (tip: test with dig + patience).

Step 2: The Stack

  • Frontend: Next.js (App Router) + TailwindCSS
  • Database: MongoDB (free tier)
  • Hosting: Vercel (with domain binding)
  • Docs: Single README.md to rule them all No auth, no SSR, no unnecessary abstractions—just a fast, functional URL shortener.

Step 3: Domain Binding on Vercel

  • Bought link-trim.in (Namecheap).
  • Changed nameservers to Vercel’s (or added A/CNAME records).
  • SSL certs auto-provisioned (love this about Vercel).

Step 4: Try It Out

Link-Trim.in is live—use it, fork it, or roast it!