Masking Affiliate Links
When you’re given an affiliate link it is usually in this format… www.productownerswebsite.com/aff/?a4856382 By masking your affiliate link it enables you to create a “clean” link that doesn’t look so ugly.
For example if you were an affiliate for a weight loss product it would be better to buy a domain name such as www.weighlossrecommendation.com or www.freeweightlossbook.com and then redirect through your affiliate link.
These domain names explain what the product is about so your prospects have nothing confusing to remember.
The main advantage of masking your affiliate link is because it hides the fact it is an affiliate link. This can help increase conversions.
Another advantage is so people don’t steal your affiliate commissions.
Also some prospects may have to copy down your domain name and don’t see the incentive for them to write down your affiliate ID too.
If this happens they can go direct to the product owner’s website themselves—bypassing you so you miss out on your affiliate commissions.
3 Ways to Mask Your Affiliate Links
Outlined below are three easy ways to mask your affiliate link…
GoDaddy
If you’ve bought your domain name from a company such as GoDaddy you can set up a free re-direct inside GoDaddy inside the domain name management.
This is easy to set up, quick and free. The drawback is not being able to track the number of people who use your affiliate link.
You also need to buy a new domain for each new product you promote.
Use HTML To Redirect
Another way is to add an index file that redirects through your affiliate link (you need hosting for this). Do this by adding an index.php or index.html file with the following code:
FusionHQ
Use FusionHQ to easily set up a re-direct.
The advantage in using FusionHQ is it is quick, easy and there is no code to remember. You can use a domain more than once (by using folders) and you can see the number of times someone visits that URL.
(This means you can check quickly to see how effective your traffic generation techniques are.)