The Problem #
Needed a simple yet well-structured URL shortener backend, not just a proof of concept, but code that could serve as an architecture reference for other Go projects.
The Solution #
Built using Go with Echo framework and MySQL, with a clean modular structure:
- Link creation: generate short codes for long URLs
- Redirect handling: resolve short codes to original URLs
- Basic analytics: click count tracking per link
- RESTful API: endpoints following best practices
Architecture #
A modular structure separating handler, service, and repository, making it easy to test and extend with new features.
Results #
- Open source on GitHub
- Modular architecture that can serve as a template for other Go projects
- Clean endpoint design with consistent error handling
Lessons Learned #
- Framework selection matters: Echo provides lightweight routing and middleware without overhead, ideal for small-to-medium APIs
- Modular structure from the start: even for small projects, proper structure makes adding features (analytics, auth) straightforward without major refactoring