A tracker is a tool for monitoring and analyzing your advertising traffic. It tells you where a user came from, which ad they clicked, and what action they took (click, registration, sale).
Without a tracker, you’re working blind, wasting money on ads without knowing which ones are profitable.
How it works:
- A user clicks your ad.
- The tracker records the click with a unique ID.
- The user lands on the offer page.
- If they convert, the affiliate network informs the tracker.
- You see exactly which ad and source led to the conversion.
Types of trackers:
- Cloud-based: Hosted by the service provider. Easy to use, ideal for beginners. (e.g., Voluum, RedTrack, PeerClick).
- Server-based: Installed on your own server. More flexible and cost-effective long-term, but requires technical skill. (e.g., Binom, Keitaro).
Key benefits:
- Save money: Identify and stop underperforming ads.
- Optimize creatives: See which ads and devices convert best.
- Gain transparency: Know the exact source and cost of every lead.
- Unified stats: Manage multiple affiliate networks from one dashboard.
Conclusion:
For beginners with small budgets, an affiliate network’s built-in tracking may suffice. However, if you’re serious about scaling, a tracker is an essential “navigation” tool that prevents wasted ad spend and guides you to profit.