Here's a good reason to use a cloaked or forwarded link instead of a direct hoplink..

When I first started promoting clickbank products a few years ago, I did it w/ direct hoplinks. I put them everywhere. I didn't spam, but I did leave them in legitimate places everywhere I could think of. At the time it worked out great. In fact I have a several links still out there that have been making me some consistent money for years. - And wouldn't you know it, I have a couple of p2p movie links that have been making me at least $100 per day for years. I've never touched them. Actually I can't....

And there's the problem. On April 6th those links will become inactive. And if I would have had a cloaked link - or forwarded link there instead, I could have changed it on my end. But since it is a clickbank direct hoplink, it will now just be inactive.

I've learned over the years that products and affiliate programs come and go and have the potential of leaving you w/ broken links out there. Make sure you're using links that you can change from your end.

 

Amen to this!

The last thing you want to do is waste all your effort ...

Which is why it is smart to NOT rush into things at the beginning. To map out a long term internet marketing strategy and to own your assets (things like cloaked links, etc).

Not so smart:
http://www.tinyurl.com/somefatlossproductlink (Links to an affiliate product on weight loss)

Much smarter:
http://[yourowndomain.com]/go/fatloss or something like
http://[yourowndomain.com]/fatloss

So if and when the affiliate product no longer exists (for any reason whatsoever), all you need to do is redirect to another similar product (or better yet, create your own weight loss product).

NOTE: Replace weight loss with any niche or service you like (doesn't matter)

Hope this helps ...

 

Very true. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

Good advice Venrooy... the ability to make global link changes is often over-looked.

 

Why will they be inactive?

 

Because those products are being removed from clickbank so they will lead no where.

 

My basic concern is about the availability (and legitimacy) of wii download products after Apr 9.

I've never promoted movie/mp3 sites but I've got a number of links in the Wii homebrew arena.

 

If it is a Wii download product then it will be removed after April 9, however I think a couple of the Wiihomebrew vendors here have yet to hear back from clickbank as to whether or not this will include their respective products.

 

Cloaking Clickbank hoplinks is always a good idea.

1. Looks better
2. Somehow protects the hoplink
3. You can replace the hoplink any time.