Using a redirect page on my server for sponsor links?
 

Hi, I am trying to get better at writing effective text links on my freesites and was wondering if linking my banners/text links to a redirect page (that simply increments a local counter for that link) was frowned upon. The redirect would obviously be seamless and the user would simply be sent to the paysite they clicked on. For example I would replace my sponsor links with something like http://go.mydomain.com/54/212/7498, with that url redirecting to the appropraite sponsor coded link. Thanks for your help.

I can't see that being a problem, and not only does it help with counting clicks, if the sponsor(s) change billing systems etc, you need change only 1 link as opposed to hundreds or thousands.

It might be better to have mydomain.com/paysitename/ as it's possible some surfers will be wary of clicking a link like you gave in your post.

Thank you for your response. Putting the paysite name in the link is a wonderful idea that I will put to use.

Not only is using the paysites name in text a good idea, by most programs TOS the redirect you are describing could be consider a blind link in the broadest sense of the word. Redirects are frown upon by one than one company.

:)
spaz