I need some serious advice on TRACKING...

Dayne Dylan · 04-16-2009, 12:52 PM

Ok, I know how to track conversions on my own products since I can put code on my "thank you" pages.

Can someone please explain to me how one tracks sales/conversions when you use affiliate links or CPA links? I have NO idea how you would do this since you can't put a code on the products "thank you" page.

For example, what if I want to put ads (affiliate or CPA) on Facebook, Myspace, Google, etc...how would I see which ones convert?

I just don't get it. I know, I'm probably missing something really obvious.

Can someone please explain? I would greatly appreciate it.

LMC · 04-16-2009, 12:54 PM

A lot of companies use Pixel Tracking, which is a small 1*1 pixel with an attitude.

These ads have references in their code which track the statistics.

If you head over to SourceForge you can find some free scripts to play around with to learn a bit about the subject.

04-16-2009, 02:41 PM

I hope it is okay to post this, but I wrote an article last summer about how to track affiliate offer completions. It includes the necessary PHP code. It is a tad technical, but if you don't mind some code talk, you can check it out here.

EDIT: If this post is breaking a rule, my apologies. It contains no affiliate links, etc.

tinkerbelle · 05-07-2009, 05:07 PM

Some affiliate networks (at least one that I know of) can let you put (sort of) your own tracking pixels on the offer. It is sometimes called pixel piggybacking. On the thank you page of the merchant, the tracking pixel of the affiliate network will be placed.

Let's say:
pixelA = affiliate network pixel
pixelB = your pixel

When the offer converts to a lead, pixelA will be fired. There will be a server call to the affiliate network system pulling your own pixel (pixelB) and firing it.

Pixel piggybacking can be multi-level, meaning you can piggyback as many pixels as you want. The merchant will only receive one pixel but in reality, there can be a number of pixels piggybacking on it.

Randy Bheites · 05-07-2009, 05:22 PM

Most CPA networks (and many independent affiliate programs) allow you to create a "subID" and embed it into the offer/product link.

The simplest way to track to keyword level is to just use the keyword you want to track.

Example: http://youraffiliateid.merchantid.ho...id=YourKeyword

"YourKeyword" should show up in your CPA network control panle stats if it makes a sale.

scotl47 · 05-07-2009, 05:31 PM

Ask them to put your tracking code on their conversion page. I have around 1,000 tracking codes on one of my products (Beacuse it takes all of 30 second to put one there), and most companies will do the same if they see you may have any volume.

04-16-2009, 12:52 PM	#1
Dayne Dylan Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,571 Thanks: 132 Thanked 82 Times in 53 Posts	I need some serious advice on TRACKING... Ok, I know how to track conversions on my own products since I can put code on my "thank you" pages. Can someone please explain to me how one tracks sales/conversions when you use affiliate links or CPA links? I have NO idea how you would do this since you can't put a code on the products "thank you" page. For example, what if I want to put ads (affiliate or CPA) on Facebook, Myspace, Google, etc...how would I see which ones convert? I just don't get it. I know, I'm probably missing something really obvious. Can someone please explain? I would greatly appreciate it.

04-16-2009, 12:54 PM	#2
LMC 520+ sites and counting War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,540 Blog Entries: 16 Thanks: 309 Thanked 1,312 Times in 299 Posts Contact Info	Re: I need some serious advice on TRACKING... A lot of companies use Pixel Tracking, which is a small 1*1 pixel with an attitude. These ads have references in their code which track the statistics. If you head over to SourceForge you can find some free scripts to play around with to learn a bit about the subject.

04-16-2009, 02:41 PM	#3
blackhatzen Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I need some serious advice on TRACKING... I hope it is okay to post this, but I wrote an article last summer about how to track affiliate offer completions. It includes the necessary PHP code. It is a tad technical, but if you don't mind some code talk, you can check it out here. EDIT: If this post is breaking a rule, my apologies. It contains no affiliate links, etc.
blackhatzen Guest Posts: n/a

05-07-2009, 05:07 PM	#4
tinkerbelle CPA tink Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: I need some serious advice on TRACKING... Some affiliate networks (at least one that I know of) can let you put (sort of) your own tracking pixels on the offer. It is sometimes called pixel piggybacking. On the thank you page of the merchant, the tracking pixel of the affiliate network will be placed. Let's say: pixelA = affiliate network pixel pixelB = your pixel When the offer converts to a lead, pixelA will be fired. There will be a server call to the affiliate network system pulling your own pixel (pixelB) and firing it. Pixel piggybacking can be multi-level, meaning you can piggyback as many pixels as you want. The merchant will only receive one pixel but in reality, there can be a number of pixels piggybacking on it.

05-07-2009, 05:22 PM	#5
Randy Bheites Post-Modern Retro NOW! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 198 Thanks: 12 Thanked 39 Times in 26 Posts	Re: I need some serious advice on TRACKING... Most CPA networks (and many independent affiliate programs) allow you to create a "subID" and embed it into the offer/product link. The simplest way to track to keyword level is to just use the keyword you want to track. Example: http://youraffiliateid.merchantid.ho...id=YourKeyword "YourKeyword" should show up in your CPA network control panle stats if it makes a sale.
	have a great day

05-07-2009, 05:31 PM	#6
scotl47 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA Posts: 120 Thanks: 8 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Re: I need some serious advice on TRACKING... Ask them to put your tracking code on their conversion page. I have around 1,000 tracking codes on one of my products (Beacuse it takes all of 30 second to put one there), and most companies will do the same if they see you may have any volume.