How to Track Outbound Links with Analytics?

csstanton · 02-01-2009, 07:46 PM

Warriors --

I am looking to set tracking on my site to see if people click my "Buy Now" button. It's a sales page, so there are 4 different spots to purchase. I'd use "?Tracking", but I can't (at least I don't think I can) when my shopping cart is with PayPal.

So...

Is there any way to track outbound links to PayPal's Check Out page using Google Analytics?

Thanks!

Stangracer · 02-01-2009, 08:18 PM

Hello,

I don't see why you can't use tracking.

Do you have a thank you page?

If so you can place tracking links on your sales page, even a different link for each 'buy now button' to see which ones are being used.

Then you place a tracking pixel on your thank you page.

Doesn't matter who your payment processor is.

If you want to try it for free you can use either Tracking202 (service) or Prosper202 (self hosted) to test it out.

If you like their software you are good to go.

You might consider something like Affiliate Prophet.

It not only tracks your conversions but will help you with you sales page conversion rate using Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action (AIDA).

There is an upgrade available that includes Multivariate testing and sales page x-ray. Multivariate testing allows you to test multiple aspects of your sales page at the sametime like Headlines, offer, guarantee, etc. Sales page (x-ray) shows you where your visitors are clicking off of your sales page. If you have trouble spots it will show within a few hundred clicks. Both can be used to make your sales page convert better.

If you are using PPC, article marketing, web 2.0 properties etc. to drive traffic to your site you can use tracking links to send the traffic and then track the sales page click-through rates as well. This will show you which traffic sources are working the best.

You can track your conversions with either software.

If you decide to check out Tracking202 or Prosper202 there is a way to track your own products. Here is a link on how to track your own products with Tracking202 / Prosper202:

Ian Fernando Using Tracking202 to Track Your Products

Hope this helps...

If you have any questions let me know.

Good Luck

csstanton · 02-02-2009, 12:12 PM

Thank you for the help, Stangracer!

I was actually wrong in saying that I couldn't track with Analytics. I just have to add "?lid=##" to the end of a link -- even if it goes to Paypal.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?lid=##orLTRS

I'll look in to your recommendations for my other projects though!

-- Casey

MarkR · 02-02-2009, 06:27 PM

Hey, there's a great idea! Thanks for posting this.

Mark

02-01-2009, 07:46 PM	#1
csstanton Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 40 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Social Networking	How to Track Outbound Links with Analytics? Warriors -- I am looking to set tracking on my site to see if people click my "Buy Now" button. It's a sales page, so there are 4 different spots to purchase. I'd use "?Tracking", but I can't (at least I don't think I can) when my shopping cart is with PayPal. So... Is there any way to track outbound links to PayPal's Check Out page using Google Analytics? Thanks!
	Casey Stanton Outdoor Guy Twitter: twitter.com/CaseyStanton

02-01-2009, 08:18 PM	#2
Stangracer Derek Krein War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 311 Thanks: 99 Thanked 62 Times in 51 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How to Track Outbound Links with Analytics? Hello, I don't see why you can't use tracking. Do you have a thank you page? If so you can place tracking links on your sales page, even a different link for each 'buy now button' to see which ones are being used. Then you place a tracking pixel on your thank you page. Doesn't matter who your payment processor is. If you want to try it for free you can use either Tracking202 (service) or Prosper202 (self hosted) to test it out. If you like their software you are good to go. You might consider something like Affiliate Prophet. It not only tracks your conversions but will help you with you sales page conversion rate using Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action (AIDA). There is an upgrade available that includes Multivariate testing and sales page x-ray. Multivariate testing allows you to test multiple aspects of your sales page at the sametime like Headlines, offer, guarantee, etc. Sales page (x-ray) shows you where your visitors are clicking off of your sales page. If you have trouble spots it will show within a few hundred clicks. Both can be used to make your sales page convert better. If you are using PPC, article marketing, web 2.0 properties etc. to drive traffic to your site you can use tracking links to send the traffic and then track the sales page click-through rates as well. This will show you which traffic sources are working the best. You can track your conversions with either software. If you decide to check out Tracking202 or Prosper202 there is a way to track your own products. Here is a link on how to track your own products with Tracking202 / Prosper202: Ian Fernando Using Tracking202 to Track Your Products Hope this helps... If you have any questions let me know. Good Luck
	[WSO] Easy WordPress Blog Setup Security Built-in from the Start [WSO] Ad Trackr Code Manager (WP Plug-in) - Easily Setup Ad Tracking on Your WP Blogs... Ask Your Ad Tracking Questions or Prosper202 Questions - Get a Quick Response

02-02-2009, 12:12 PM	#3
csstanton Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 40 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Social Networking	Re: How to Track Outbound Links with Analytics? Thank you for the help, Stangracer! I was actually wrong in saying that I couldn't track with Analytics. I just have to add "?lid=##" to the end of a link -- even if it goes to Paypal. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?lid=##orLTRS I'll look in to your recommendations for my other projects though! -- Casey
	Casey Stanton Outdoor Guy Twitter: twitter.com/CaseyStanton

02-02-2009, 06:27 PM	#4
MarkR Work hard to play hard War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan, USA. Posts: 1,150 Thanks: 99 Thanked 184 Times in 124 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How to Track Outbound Links with Analytics? Hey, there's a great idea! Thanks for posting this. Mark
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