Sales Drop - Wondering if Affiliate Link Changes Hurt Me

Discussion in 'Commission Junction' started by gmr324, May 17, 2009.

0
  1. #1
    I use the html affiliate links from CJ. I make three changes to them.

    1) Add custom SID to track source of sale down to link clicked
    In some cases, I think I exceeded the 15 character limit but stick
    to letters and numbers.

    2) Add rel="nofollow" to prevent losing too much PR juice to affiliate links

    3) Add alt=" " to the image tracking code so my site passes the
    html validator test

    ---

    Here's a sample "before and after" of my changes:

    Before:

    <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2914285-10273706?sid=CLTurbo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fn%2Fredirect.cgi%3Fq%3Dvz348348341z2%26zcj%3D1&cjsku=7446048106" target="_blank">
    Chinese Laundry Test</a>
    <img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-2914285-10273706" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

    After:

    <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2914285-10273706?sid=CLTurbo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fn%2Fredirect.cgi%3Fq%3Dvz348348341z2%26zcj%3D1&cjsku=7446048106" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">
    Chinese Laundry Test</a>
    <img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-2914285-10273706" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt=" " />


    Can anyone tell me of these changes would prevent my affiliate links
    from performing properly?

    How can I test that the modified affiliate links work without having to
    actually purchase a product from my site each time?

    Do I have to redo all my custom SIDs that may exceed 15 characters
    since they may be hurting my affiliate link performance or does CJ just truncate them in the reports?


    Thanks

    George
     
    gmr324, May 17, 2009 IP
  2. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #2
    If CJ have a 15 char limit on their SID, then you should stick to it (I rarely use CJ SIDs so I don't know). Other than that, it all looks fine.

    Some of us don't even bother with the tracking pixel image :eek:

    You can test your link by examining your cookies using the standard link, and then testing again using your modified link.
    Firefox : Tools > Options > Privacy > Show Cookies.
    If you get the same cookies both times, then it should be all ok. :)
     
    Kerosene, May 17, 2009 IP
  3. gmr324

    gmr324 Active Member

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    #3
    Hi Kerosene,


    That's a great idea. I took you up on that and actually entered the
    cookie values for both the original and modified links. I've attached
    a file with the results. Please let me know if this comparison proves
    that there should be no difference in the two affiliate links. I just
    altered my domain name to a generic one (mysitesname.com).

    Thanks Very Much

    George
     

    Attached Files:

    gmr324, May 17, 2009 IP