Best tracking

tickler · 2006-09-14, 01:50 PM

I'm trying to figure out the best way to track a code across multiple pages/domains, and trying to keep it as accurate as possible.
PHP query string - but some people can strip the codes.
PHP cookie - but some people block cookies.
PHP sessions - I'm not sure if it tracks across domains.
Hidden form fields - requires JavaScript.

Any thoughts welcome.

cd34 · 2006-09-14, 02:18 PM

alter the url and keep the code within the url prior to the query string.

http://site.com/affiliatecode/blah/index.html

surfer's can't easily muck with it, and you know it is always there, sort of a prestate. If you're not using Tux or Zeus or some mass virtual hosting, you could always use subdomains -- i.e. http://affiliatecode.hostname.com/whatever/

caveat here is that you need to ensure that you never refer to a directory as http://site.com/dirname because apache will rewrite the entry to the default host. Not to say you can't write a mod_rewrite to overcome this behavior, but, every step you add for a webmaster, the more steps are there for tracking leaks.

To me, URL munging is the only way to do it as accurately as possible. Can't use cookies if you are traversing multiple domains unless you have webbugs on every page.

You could also do a safety check of the ip address/useragent as they bounce around, and possibly use a cookie as a third safety check. However, since the web is stateless, its all guesswork. Guesswork that can attain pretty high % of reliability.

tickler · 2006-09-15, 12:41 PM

THX for the info.
I guess I'll probably have to go read up on htaccess now.

Wrong forum, but, I'm wondering if using the code as a sub-domain is good for SE.
http://affiliatecode.hostname.com/whatever/

virgohippy · 2006-09-15, 03:06 PM

If you post how you want your variables to be passed I'm sure someone here can give you examples of how best to set up your htaccess.

I know I can offer simple solutions, but advice from a few people would probably be best... unless it's from cd34, then you can probably just ignore everyone else.

Also, I can't say the SE benefits are better, but I prefer this:

hostname.com/affiliatecode/whatever/

over this:

affiliatecode.hostname.com/whatever/

Just as cd34 first suggested. It should be easier to set up that way too.

2006-09-14, 01:50 PM	#1
tickler If there is nobody out there, that's a lot of real estate going to waste! Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,177	Best tracking I'm trying to figure out the best way to track a code across multiple pages/domains, and trying to keep it as accurate as possible. PHP query string - but some people can strip the codes. PHP cookie - but some people block cookies. PHP sessions - I'm not sure if it tracks across domains. Hidden form fields - requires JavaScript. Any thoughts welcome. __________________ Latina Twins, Solo, NN, Hardcore Latin Teen Cash

2006-09-14, 02:18 PM	#2
cd34 a.k.a. Sparky Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Palm Beach, FL, USA Posts: 2,396	alter the url and keep the code within the url prior to the query string. http://site.com/affiliatecode/blah/index.html surfer's can't easily muck with it, and you know it is always there, sort of a prestate. If you're not using Tux or Zeus or some mass virtual hosting, you could always use subdomains -- i.e. http://affiliatecode.hostname.com/whatever/ caveat here is that you need to ensure that you never refer to a directory as http://site.com/dirname because apache will rewrite the entry to the default host. Not to say you can't write a mod_rewrite to overcome this behavior, but, every step you add for a webmaster, the more steps are there for tracking leaks. To me, URL munging is the only way to do it as accurately as possible. Can't use cookies if you are traversing multiple domains unless you have webbugs on every page. You could also do a safety check of the ip address/useragent as they bounce around, and possibly use a cookie as a third safety check. However, since the web is stateless, its all guesswork. Guesswork that can attain pretty high % of reliability. __________________ SnapReplay.com a different way to share photos - iPhone & Android

2006-09-15, 12:41 PM	#3
tickler If there is nobody out there, that's a lot of real estate going to waste! Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,177	THX for the info. I guess I'll probably have to go read up on htaccess now. Wrong forum, but, I'm wondering if using the code as a sub-domain is good for SE. http://affiliatecode.hostname.com/whatever/ __________________ Latina Twins, Solo, NN, Hardcore Latin Teen Cash

2006-09-15, 03:06 PM	#4
virgohippy Madness is like gravity. All it takes is a little... push. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California Posts: 1,679	If you post how you want your variables to be passed I'm sure someone here can give you examples of how best to set up your htaccess. I know I can offer simple solutions, but advice from a few people would probably be best... unless it's from cd34, then you can probably just ignore everyone else. Also, I can't say the SE benefits are better, but I prefer this: hostname.com/affiliatecode/whatever/ over this: affiliatecode.hostname.com/whatever/ Just as cd34 first suggested. It should be easier to set up that way too. __________________ ~Warm and Fuzzy.