Referral Links are the most popular way to track affiliate orders and credit the affiliates. Once you approve an affiliate, a unique link will be created for the affiliate consisting of your store's domain followed by tracking parameters (e.g. https://www.yourdomain.com?rfsn=123456.abc123). Refersion relies on first party tracking which means you should see SEO benefits as affiliates promote your links.
You or your affiliates can easily create page specific links. To do this, go to Dashboard > Generate Referral Link and input the destination page. Note that this address needs to begin with the same domain address you created when signing up to Refersion, also displayed on this pop-up. After entering the destination page, select an affiliate and click Generate.
Affiliates can do this by clicking on Create link to a specific page from the Affiliate Dashboard.
Refersion tracking links also support SubIDs. SubIDs are additional custom tags that allow for additional tracking of affiliate links, and they can be any string of text. For example, an affiliate might be interested in tracking if a conversion came through a Facebook post, a Twitter post, or the header/footer/specific page on their blog. SubIDs are great for more detailed tracking.
For more info on SubIDs, check out this article.
Referral links can be changed in two ways, affiliates can use our Bit.ly integration directly from their dashboard (or a different third party URL shortener) and you can create custom Vanity URL redirects for the affiliates, with a new URL redirecting to the affiliate link. Vanity URLs exist outside Refersion, so you'd have to let your affiliates know what they are (their actual link would still show up on their affiliate portal).
Please note: Unfortunately, you cannot create vanity links inside Refersion. Please use one of the three options below.
Option 1: Bit.ly
Using our bit.ly integration, affiliates can automatically convert their referral links into bit.ly links right from the affiliate dashboard:
Option 2: Domain Redirect
You can setup a redirect from your shop to an affiliate's referral link. For example, you can create:
And have that automatically redirect to:
Option 3: For Shopify Users:
Learn how to create vanity affiliate links in Shopify. We also have another app, called Traffic Control, that allows you to create redirects in bulk.
What's Next?
As an affiliate marketing enthusiast with a demonstrated depth of knowledge in the field, let me guide you through the intricacies of referral links and the comprehensive system outlined in the provided article.
The article discusses the significance of referral links as a prominent method for tracking affiliate orders and crediting affiliates. The tracking mechanism involves the creation of unique links for affiliates, incorporating the store's domain and tracking parameters. What sets Refersion apart is its reliance on first-party tracking, promising potential SEO benefits as affiliates actively promote these links.
One key concept highlighted is the ability for you or your affiliates to generate page-specific links. The process involves navigating to the Dashboard, selecting "Generate Referral Link," inputting the destination page, and choosing an affiliate. It's crucial to note that the destination page address should align with the domain address used during Refersion sign-up.
The article introduces the concept of SubIDs, providing additional custom tags for enhanced affiliate link tracking. SubIDs can be any string of text and are particularly useful for detailed tracking, such as identifying the source of conversions from specific platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
Refersion allows flexibility in changing referral links. Affiliates can utilize the Bit.ly integration directly from their dashboard or opt for a different third-party URL shortener. Additionally, the article suggests creating custom Vanity URL redirects for affiliates, allowing for personalized branding. However, it emphasizes that vanity links must be created outside Refersion.
Three options are presented for changing referral links:
- Bit.ly Integration: Affiliates can convert their referral links into Bit.ly links directly from the dashboard.
- Domain Redirect: Setting up a redirect from the shop to an affiliate's referral link, enabling the creation of custom Vanity URLs.
- Shopify Users: Shopify users are directed to learn how to create vanity affiliate links in Shopify or explore the Traffic Control app for bulk redirects.
The article concludes by prompting the reader to "Learn about the different statues for a conversion," hinting at the importance of understanding various aspects related to conversion tracking within the Refersion platform. This indicates a more in-depth exploration of conversion tracking features and settings for a comprehensive understanding of affiliate performance.
