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Do You Know
the 7 Ways to Protect & Redirect
Your Affiliate Links?
I believe all the hype over
affiliate links getting stolen is that - hype. This preys on
the fears of people that they may not be getting what they
deserve. Although I am sure it happens, it is not the threat
that one is led to believe.
It is interesting that
people are sometimes hesitant to click on an affiliate links. I
have never understood this reaction but I am aware that it
exists. (If someone has provided value and they have an
affiliate link for a product I am interested in, then I am happy
to give them a commission for their content.) Because of this
tendency to not click on affiliate links it is a good idea to
have a link that does not look like an affiliate link. Site
viewers need to realize that if someone has provided content and
has a beneficial product or service, it is appropriate to buy
from this person.
Why do I use redirects? I
use redirects because I think that most affiliate links are long
and ugly. Who is going to remember a typical affiliate link?
Also, if you want to direct buyers to your auction, you can
create a nice clean URL to take them there and not some long,
ugly link.
Most of the methods below
provide a clean link. Read through the description and see
which ones meet your needs and fall within your skill level.
(NOTE: Check
www.WebTechTutorials.com for video tutorials that will show
how to implement many of these methods.)
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Domain Redirect
Buy a domain name and forward the domain to your
affiliate link. This is a pretty simple process and assures
that your affiliate link is not seen.
PRO: Simple to implement
CON: Cost $8-15/year for domain registration
NOTE: Video tutorial available at
www.webtechtutorials.com
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Subdomain Redirects
Most hosting providers allow you have several, if
not unlimited, subdomains. You simply go into your control
panel, set up your subdomain and then set up the
redirection.
PRO: Simple to implement; free
CON: It does not hide the URL
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Redirect Script
There are several scripts that you can install on
your web page that will protect and redirect your links.
You put the code in the head and body part of the page.
PRO: No cost; link hidden
CON: Cumbersome to set up each page and add code
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Redirect PhP
This gets a little more involved, but it can be
done. Daniel Kelly, in his
Mini Sites
Made Easy video series shows you how to use php
redirects with PayPal payments. I used his method on my
Recommendations page.
PRO: Low cost; hidden link
CON: A little tricky to implement and time consuming
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.htaccess
Only attempt this one if you know what you are
doing. This involves altering the .htaccess file on your
server.
PRO: Very secure; easy to update if affiliate program
changes
CON: Only for the experienced user
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Software Programs
Digital Download
Protection - protect your digital
products from theft and link
sharing with DLGuard
Description: protect your digital
download files from people bypassing your payment system.
Create secure download pages, expiring download links and
build a customer mailing list automatically.
PRO: This is an extensive system for payments, downloads,
link protections, mailing list, etc
CON: $127
Affiliate
Link Cloaker
Stop Affiliate Link Hijackers - Dead in Their Tracks! Stop
Losing Your Commissions to affiliate link sneak thieves!nt
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PRO: Easy to use; desktop software
CON: $59
LinkGuardII
This simple program takes your long, ugly link and masks it
with a redirect link. This great piece of software will
even generate the HTML page for you.
PRO: Easy to use; desktop; great cost - $17
CON: Uses frames for cloaking - potential problem
Link Redirect
Link Redirect is just like Link Guard, but uses meta
refresh to redirect links. There has been some
controversy over using frames when cloaking links and this
may be a safer means of hiding affiliate links.
PRO: Easy to use: desktop; great cost-$17
CON: Sellers URL will appear in browser
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Services
NameStick
"Finally, how to easily make every long, ugly affiliate
or website link (that even your best friend wouldn't click
on) "turn into" a short, easy to remember, search engine
friendly domain name that attracts clicks like a 2-ton
magnet!"
PRO: Easy to use; don't need a website; unlimited protected
links; can cloak subdomains
CONS: Monthly service
Affiliate
link protection by LinkShield.
URL Cloaking
Description: Affiliate program protection - secure your
affiliate URL and save thousands of dollars - professional
web based URL cloaking. Secure your link
in under 5 seconds with the click of a mouse!
PRO: Easy to use; don't need a website
CON: Monthly service ($7.67/month)
MY RECOMMENDATION
I have tried several of these options. I use
domain forwarding for a few key affiliate programs. Over
the last six months I have searched for a good, easy to use
program that was reasonably priced. LinkGuardII or
Link Redirect are hands
down my choice if you have a website. They are both easy to use. They make redirecting affiliate links simple and painless. I
can make a redirect in less than 2 minutes. (Watch
how simple this software is.)
If you don't have a
website, I recommend
Namestick.
It is easy to use as well. It works a lot like a domain
redirect except that you can use it with multiple subdomains.
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