Don't Forget Tracking IDs!

byjohnmpeltier

152 followers

11 years ago

After starting to get some clickthroughs to merchants I started wondering which links these people are clicking on.

I have a number of links for one specific merchant.
-A square banner in the sidebar
-Textual ad campaigns strategically sprinkled in posts
-Specific product links in posts

It'd be really helpful to figure out which links are being utilized. If no one ever uses my sidebar banner, then maybe I can use that real estate for something else that might be more valuable. If no one is using the text links, then I might remove them from all of my posts so that they don't distract from the post. And if no one is clicking on the product links, then I need to re-evaluate my SEO and writing.

Most affiliates have a method of adding unique tracking codes to your link. In this case I went back to my affiliate dashboard for this merchant and created unique codes for "sidebar", "textlink", and the individual product links. From here on out my reports will tell me which links are being used.

Now I have to go through all of my posts and change the tracking code. This could take some time!

This is how AvantLink's configuration looks for adding a tracking ID/tracking code:

Start using them now so that you don't have to go back later! It's a great way of researching which marketing methods are working for you and where you're getting your clicks from. Then you can further fine-tune your marketing!

Your affiliate merchant programs should have FAQs & directions about how to add codes to their specific links.