Setting up encrypted subid tracking can sometimes be difficult especially if you are a newbie to affiliate marketing or writing php. I have found a great free script and tutorial on how to do this here:

How to Set Up sub id Encryption with a PHP redirect

A couple things I have noticed about setting up this script if you are a complete newbie:

The guide is easy to understand and has pictures. Let me show you how I implemented it.

I am doing PPC to my landing page so I setup AdWords to pass the keyword that created the click to my Destination URL so that my links look like this in the AdWords Backend:  www.landingpage.com/?search={keyword}

The script will then capture the keyword and pass that to the database, and then change the links on my landing page to have a subid number instead of the actual subid.  That will keep the merchant from seeing my keyword, and keep the keyword hidden.  Then I can match up the keywords with the ones that convert in adwords, as well as see what conversions occurred with no AdWords (these will show up in the database as being the number 3 subid).

I think this script is necessary to any affiliate doing PPC who cares about tracking their return on investment on AdWords.  Though matching up the actual ROI isn’t built into the script yet, I still think it is great for any newbie looking to setup some basic subid tracking.

Posted on April 6th, 2008 by Firelead Affiliate Network
Filed under: AdWords