PUBLIC LINKS

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Requesting Public Links

• To ensure maximum security and platform integrity at your venue, all Public Links are currently provisioned exclusively by the SwitchBase team.
• Contact your SwitchBase Account Rep who can set up as many Public Links as you need

All About Public Links

Anonymous Public Links provide access to Shortcut versions of Forms. These versatile URLs (ex. https://connect.switchbase.com/p/t-events/wheelchair ) can be distributed through multiple channels — via text messages, QR codes, NFC tags, Web pages, Social Media embeds, and more.

SwitchBase Public Links are customized URLs structured as follows:

URL Component	Example Value	Description
Base URL	https://connect.switchbase.com/p	The secure platform gateway for all public-facing content
Short Code	/t-events	Your unique Organization alias (seen on the Admin → Organization page)
Link ID	/wheelchair	The customizable, human-readable name for your specific form

• Full Link → https://connect.switchbase.com/p/t-events/wheelchair

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Use Case

This mobile sample provides fans in an 80,000-seat stadium with instant access to stadium information and three specialized Shortcut Forms. All submissions are captured as Records and are managed in real-time by the venue’s Guest Services team. In this case, a single mobile display consolidates nine separate QR codes.

• Another venue consolidated 18 QR codes into three with SwitchBase.

Here's a list of what this stadium delivers in a single Public Link:

• A. Six Links to general stadium information
• B. Three Links to vital Shortcut Forms:
  • Report a Lost Item
  • Request Wheelchair Assistance
  • Guest Comments

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Fill in the Public Link Page

First, Prepare 3 Things

Before you begin Filling in your Public Link Page:

1. Identify the Short Code for your Organization → ex. /t-events for Thunderhawk Events
2. Create a Service Account → to act as the anonymous Owner of your Public Link
3. Prepare a Shortcut Form (or Forms) that will be launched by your Public Link

There are a bunch of steps involved in the Public Link Form. Ready?

• A. Enter an easily recognizable Public Link Name → ex. Wheelchair Request

• B. Type in your Link ID → ex. wheelchair

  • b. Make sure you see your organizations Short Code preceding the Link ID

• C. Pick your Service Account from the list → ex. 'Wheelchair Request Link'

  • c. If you don't see it in the drop-down list, you'll need to create your Service Account!

• D. Select Authentication Mode → to determine if the link is open to the public ("None") or restricted to internal staff ("User Account").

• E. Choose a Background Color using the visual Color Picker or by entering a precise Hex code (e.g., #29807A).

• F. Design your Header → ex. 'Need a Wheelchair? Fill in this form to make your request'

• G. Add a Shortcut Form(s) → ex. Issue - Wheelchair Request

  

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B. Enter a Descriptive Link ID

Link IDs are customizable extensions or lowercase 'slugs' tacked on to SwitchBase URLs. They immediately follow the Short Code as in /t-events+/wheelchair. For example:

• /wheelchair → for a Wheelchair Request Shortcut
  • https://connect.switchbase.com/p/t-events/wheelchair
• /issue or /report or /rpt → for the Report an Issue Shortcut
  • https://connect.switchbase.com/p/t-events/issue
• /guest-services or /guest-serv → for a Guest Services Shortcut
  • https://connect.switchbase.com/p/t-events/guest-serv

Best Practices for Link IDs

• Match your Form Name: Keep your Link ID identical or similar to your Shortcut's name for easy tracking → ex. /report-lost-item
• Keep it Short: Shorter Link IDs create simpler QR codes that are easier for mobile devices to scan → ex. /wheelchair
• Use Hyphens: For better readability, use hyphens to separate words → ex. /guest-comments
• Lowercase only: To ensure your links always work, use lowercase letters for your Link IDs → ex. not /Guest-Comments

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Don't see your Short Code?

— b. Look up (or Create) a Short Code

The Short Code is a critical component of every Public Link. It serves as the unique identifier that connects an anonymous URL for your organization’s specific Shortcut Forms.

The URL Structure

In the example below, /t-events is the Short Code:

https://connect.switchbase.com/p/t-events/wheelchair

Where to Find or Create your Short Code

Short Codes are managed within the Organization section of the Admin menu. Navigate there to look up your existing code or to create a new one for your venue. (See our Organization article for more info.)

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C. Select (or Create) a Service Account

Public Links utilize Service Accounts to control Resource access and permissions while preserving anonimity.

Select your Service Account from the list:

Don't see your Service Account?

— c. Create a Service Account

Then, you'll need to create one. Contact your SwitchBase Account Rep for help.

To create a Service Account:

1. Click Users from the Admin menu

2. Select + Create Service Account

3. Fill out the Form:

   • A. Enter an easily recognizable User Name → ex. public-link
     • Don't use caps or numbers or special characters other than a hyphen -
   • B. Type in your Display Name → ex. Wheelchair Public Link
   • C. Leave the Role blank

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D. Authentication Mode

The Authentication Mode determines how users verify their identity before they can access a Public Link and its associated Shortcut Form.

• For Guest communications pick None
• For Staff communications, pick User Account

Authentication Selection

Use the following guide to determine the appropriate security level for your Public Link.

Access Type	Best For...	User Experience	Common Use Cases
None (Public)	Fans & Patrons	Instant access; scan and go.	Lost & Found, Wheelchair Requests, Guest Feedback.
User Account	Internal Staff	Secure login via SwitchBase required.	Incident Reporting, Inventory Tracking, Maintenance Requests.

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E. Background Color → Match Your Brand

Use the Color Picker to select a background color that aligns with your venue's branding.

• For a Quick Selection: Click the color square to open the visual picker and choose a shade manually.

• For a Precise Match: Enter your specific Hexadecimal code (e.g., #29807A) for exact brand consistency.

Quick Color Reference

Theme	Hex Code	Visual Example
Warning Red	#E63946	High-priority alerts or emergency requests
Field Green	#2D6A4F	Sustainability or turf-side info
Safety Yellow	#FFB703	Wayfinding, security, or "Caution"
Classic Navy	#1D3557	Professional/Administrative forms
Forest Green-Blue	#29807A	SwitchBase branded background color

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F. Header → Write and Format your Message

Use the simple text editor to craft your message to your audience. Use every element, including Headings, spacers, and URLs to inform. For example, this Header . . .

. . . produced this result for a major venue. Links went out to venue maps and other Website-based information and details.

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G. Add a Shortcut Form

To add your Shortcut:

1. Select a Shortcut from the available list
2. Pick the Trash if you make a mistake
3. Click + Add Template to include another Shortcut Form

About Shortcut Forms

— What's a Shortcut Form?

Before you begin, you should create a Shortcut for your Public Link.

A Shortcut is an abbreviated version of a longer Form that isolates just the questions you want your Public Link Guests (or Staff) to see. A Record is created each time a Public link is completed. All linked Dashboards will be updated and relevant teams will be notified.

• Click to learn all about Shortcuts.

Here's an example that will work well for a Public Link. Notice that:

• Irrelevant Fields have been removed from view
• Three of the fields have pre-filled answers

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Test a Public Link & QR Code

Go ahead. Give your URL a spin!

Before deploying QR codes or message-based Public Link to your venue, verify the Authentication level:

1. Copy the Link → from the Shortcut Form's card, or the Public Link page

2. Use Incognito Mode → by opening a private browser tab on your mobile device to simulate a new user
3. Confirm Result →
   • ex. None → The form should load immediately
   • ex. User Account → You should be redirected to the SwitchBase login screen
4. Create QR Code → to post in your venue

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Generate a QR Code

Use a QR Code creator to convert your Public Link's URL into a printable QR code.

• For example, you can try Adobe's free QR Code generator at:

  • https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/qr-code-generator

Try this code to see our Wheelchair Request link!

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