Protecting Your Commissions

By Gary Knox on April 22, 2009

Thieves are a problem out in the brick and mortar world for business owners and likewise thieves are a concern for Internet business owners. Out in the brick and mortar world, thieves will take money and merchandise and it is not any different online. The real world merchants use locks and alarms to discourage thieves. Internet business owners need to use anti-theft software to protect their commissions. Here are just a few of the things you can do to protect yourself and your commissions:

1. Use Meta Refresh: A meta refresh is a simple bit of HTML code which automatically redirects your visitor to another page (your affiliate URL). It offers a neat way of representing affiliate links in newsletters. It probably helps to cut down commission bypassing and commission hijacking. A big advantage of using meta refreshes is that if merchants alter their affiliate links, you can change links on dozens of pages quickly and easily by modifying only one file.

One problem is that some search engines do not like meta refreshes because they are often used for unsavoury purposes. So if you do intend to use this technique, use it with caution.

2. Use a URL redirection service. You can use free services or purchase a unique domain name for each affiliate program you join. URL redirection makes affiliate links less obvious, so this will reduce some commission thefts.

3. Use a web-based advert tracking service. The advert tracking link initially hides the affiliate link, reducing thefts.

4. Employ an advert tracking script. Good advert tracking scripts conceal the affiliate link in addition to being useful for tracking. It has the distinct advantage that it does not promote someone else’s domain.

5. Use a JavaScript redirect. Because once again this hides the affiliate link initially, it should help to cut back on commission thefts.

Be aware that theft is a problem for online businesses and take the necessary steps to protect your commissions as you do not want to put in all the hard work and effort merely for someone else to reap the benefit.