affiliate newbie on tracking

Discussion in 'Google AdWords' started by cylai, May 22, 2006.

  1. #1
    hi all,

    I am a affiliate for a pay per lead programmes of CJ. I've set up two adword campaigns, each with one keyword. Both campaign leads to the same merchant's page. My question is, if I made a sale, how do I track which campaign generates the sale for me? Which tracking system do you recommend?

    I am a newbie and hope I do not ask a stupid question here :eek:

    Thanks!!
     
    cylai, May 22, 2006 IP
  2. infin8

    infin8 Peon

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    #2
    You can use a sid. Just add it to the end of your url with a question mark and sid=nameofyourcampaign like this:
    http://www.url.com/click-XXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX?sid=nameofyourcampaign
     
    infin8, May 22, 2006 IP
  3. cylai

    cylai Peon

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    #3
    infin8:

    Thanks for your reply!
    I do not really understand what is sid, could you please explain a lilttle further the method you outlined?
    Thank you!
     
    cylai, May 22, 2006 IP
  4. Helmethead3

    Helmethead3 Peon

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    #4
    it'd stand for something, it's not really important what. just add the sid=.... onto the domain so it can track it as being from you
     
    Helmethead3, May 22, 2006 IP
  5. infin8

    infin8 Peon

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    #5
    It's just a variable that CJ strips before redirecting to the merchant page. It's used for your own tracking purposes, and you can add it to any link.
     
    infin8, May 23, 2006 IP
  6. TheHoff

    TheHoff Peon

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    #6
    I asked CJ about this and they said the SID may or may not be stripped from the merchant's reports depending on the tracking system the merchant uses... so think about that if you are putting keywords into the SID from your PPC campaigns; the merchant may be able to see exactly what terms you're converting with.
     
    TheHoff, May 23, 2006 IP
  7. Dan Grossman

    Dan Grossman Peon

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    #7
    Not just the merchant, but you. If it carries through to the reporting (it will for most advertisers), you'll see the value you passed in, in the SID column of your commission detail reports.
     
    Dan Grossman, May 23, 2006 IP
  8. TheHoff

    TheHoff Peon

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    #8
    Well yea, I want to see it.. but there are times when I don't want the merchant to see it (as in when you direct PPC traffic to them).. I'd rather not give away my conversion lists. I am considering encrypting my SID but then I have to unencrypt it later before I can tell what is working; bleh.
     
    TheHoff, May 23, 2006 IP
  9. MattEvers

    MattEvers Notable Member

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    #9
    I usually just use numbers and keep a running tab in Word.

    1 widget
    2 blue widget

    etc.
     
    MattEvers, May 23, 2006 IP
  10. TheHoff

    TheHoff Peon

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    #10
    Nooo that is way too simple and easy; I must encrypt and hash and salt it :rolleyes: (thanks, that makes much more sense)
     
    TheHoff, May 23, 2006 IP
  11. cylai

    cylai Peon

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    #11
    I think it depends how you sent the visitor to merchant. If you send them via a landing page then u shouldn't be too worried :)
     
    cylai, May 23, 2006 IP