Test affiliate link?

hinduhead · 11-19-2009, 05:31 PM

Is there a way to test a affiliate link and conversion, and make sure everything is working.
I have a campaign running for an affiliate offer,i have had about 500 adword clicks and no conversions, and have split test multiple landing pages, im having a hard time believing that none of those clicks have converted.

Ken Durham · 11-19-2009, 05:34 PM

You can have a friend do a test purchase for you as I know many affiliate programs do not approve of you doing this yourself.

Wham · 11-19-2009, 05:35 PM

I've had well over 900 clicks from adwords and only one sale

I only blame my landing page

wahmsuzanne · 11-19-2009, 05:40 PM

If you have a friend do a test purchase ... do you return the product? Just wondered. LOL

Ian Middleton · 11-19-2009, 05:54 PM

Hi
You can get your friend to go for a refund with no problems, but have you thought about buying it yourself anyway. If you actually own the product you can see exactly what you are expecting others to buy - just a thought

Ian

hinduhead · 11-19-2009, 07:11 PM

thanks for the reply's, i already own the product...but did not buy thru my link,
so really the only way to find out is to buy the product?

I really just need to know for decisions i need to make...if this has not converted after 500 clicks its obliviously, not going to work even if i had an awesome landing page.

Catalyst eMarketing · 11-23-2009, 05:20 PM

Aside from doing a test purchase, have you checked the merchant's site for leaks like 800#s, Adsense and alternate purchase methods like Paypal or Google Checkout, that may not track affiliate sales?

Have you contacted the merchant to see if they have any problems on their end or have any ideas for you? Sometimes a merchant's tech team makes a site change and doesn't realize they messed up the affiliate tracking pixel or something.

Last but not least are your keywords "buy" keywords? Or are you possibly without realizing it targeting some looky loo keywords or missing some important negative keywords? If your visitors aren't targeted enough they could be info hunters instead of shoppers that are ready to buy.

Additionally, some products like computers tend to have a longer buy cycle and people shop and compare before making decisions. So you could get sales later if there is a long cookie, but they may not be buying right away.

Just throwing out additional things to consider or look into.

hinduhead · 11-23-2009, 06:53 PM

Thanks for this reply...im kinda leaning torwards it being a keyword issue...i think im getting of info seekers and not buyers, can anybody recommend some keywords that buyers would use?

Catalyst eMarketing · 11-25-2009, 02:28 PM

Here are a couple articles with suggestions for "buy" keywords.

Are You Bidding on Ready to Buy Keywords or Research Keywords

Targeting Action Keywords To Improve Site Earnings, Profitable Keyword Selection
Scroll down the page and there's a list.

11-19-2009, 05:31 PM	#1
hinduhead HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: everywhere Posts: 424 Thanks: 113 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Test affiliate link? Is there a way to test a affiliate link and conversion, and make sure everything is working. I have a campaign running for an affiliate offer,i have had about 500 adword clicks and no conversions, and have split test multiple landing pages, im having a hard time believing that none of those clicks have converted.

11-19-2009, 05:34 PM	#2
Ken Durham Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesterton, IN Posts: 923 Thanks: 129 Thanked 193 Times in 153 Posts	Re: Test affiliate link? You can have a friend do a test purchase for you as I know many affiliate programs do not approve of you doing this yourself.
	Webmaster Services List Your Wealth Building Systems and Services for Free Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result ~ Einstein Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and never getting the same results ~ Ken

11-19-2009, 05:35 PM	#3
Wham HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 187 Thanks: 83 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Test affiliate link? I've had well over 900 clicks from adwords and only one sale I only blame my landing page

11-19-2009, 05:40 PM	#4
wahmsuzanne Warrior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Test affiliate link? If you have a friend do a test purchase ... do you return the product? Just wondered. LOL

11-19-2009, 05:54 PM	#5
Ian Middleton ArticlesForAffiliates.com War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wetherby, England Posts: 145 Thanks: 92 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Test affiliate link? Hi You can get your friend to go for a refund with no problems, but have you thought about buying it yourself anyway. If you actually own the product you can see exactly what you are expecting others to buy - just a thought Ian
	http://www.ArticlesForAffiliates.com The Article Writing Service That Understands What Affiliates Need From their Articles!

11-19-2009, 07:11 PM	#6
hinduhead HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: everywhere Posts: 424 Thanks: 113 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Test affiliate link? thanks for the reply's, i already own the product...but did not buy thru my link, so really the only way to find out is to buy the product? I really just need to know for decisions i need to make...if this has not converted after 500 clicks its obliviously, not going to work even if i had an awesome landing page.

11-23-2009, 05:20 PM	#7
Catalyst eMarketing GooglePlaces Optimization War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 759 Thanks: 52 Thanked 176 Times in 98 Posts Social Networking	Re: Test affiliate link? Aside from doing a test purchase, have you checked the merchant's site for leaks like 800#s, Adsense and alternate purchase methods like Paypal or Google Checkout, that may not track affiliate sales? Have you contacted the merchant to see if they have any problems on their end or have any ideas for you? Sometimes a merchant's tech team makes a site change and doesn't realize they messed up the affiliate tracking pixel or something. Last but not least are your keywords "buy" keywords? Or are you possibly without realizing it targeting some looky loo keywords or missing some important negative keywords? If your visitors aren't targeted enough they could be info hunters instead of shoppers that are ready to buy. Additionally, some products like computers tend to have a longer buy cycle and people shop and compare before making decisions. So you could get sales later if there is a long cookie, but they may not be buying right away. Just throwing out additional things to consider or look into.
	Linda Buquet :: Google Places Optimization Specialist :: Catalyst eMarketing Google Places Optimization :: ADVANCED GOOGLE PLACES TRAINING Available Google Places Optimization & Local SEO BLOG :: Latest Google Places News and Tips BEST Google Places Software & FREE Local SEO Tools

11-23-2009, 06:53 PM	#8
hinduhead HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: everywhere Posts: 424 Thanks: 113 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Test affiliate link? Thanks for this reply...im kinda leaning torwards it being a keyword issue...i think im getting of info seekers and not buyers, can anybody recommend some keywords that buyers would use?

11-25-2009, 02:28 PM	#9
Catalyst eMarketing GooglePlaces Optimization War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 759 Thanks: 52 Thanked 176 Times in 98 Posts Social Networking	Re: Test affiliate link? Here are a couple articles with suggestions for "buy" keywords. Are You Bidding on Ready to Buy Keywords or Research Keywords Targeting Action Keywords To Improve Site Earnings, Profitable Keyword Selection Scroll down the page and there's a list.
	Linda Buquet :: Google Places Optimization Specialist :: Catalyst eMarketing Google Places Optimization :: ADVANCED GOOGLE PLACES TRAINING Available Google Places Optimization & Local SEO BLOG :: Latest Google Places News and Tips BEST Google Places Software & FREE Local SEO Tools