When I run an advert in an ezine, print or the web I use a
simple little log trick to keep track of how effective each
run is.
Let's say you are placing an add for your home page
www.yourname.com. Instead of just using your home page
address use the following: www.yourname.com/?code If you type
?code after your address it will still take you right to
your web page with no interference (go ahead try it I know
you want to!) but what it does do is register the address
in your web-server logs! You can of course substitute the
word code with any combinations of numbers or letters that
you want.
You will now be able to easily track as many ads as
you want.
This is a powerful and free tracking system. All you will
need to do to utilize this technique is take a peak into
your web server log to see how each ad is doing. Just find
the call for your unique URL plus your code and you can
view it's hit's.
Don't understand your logs?
There are many log analysis tools available on the web so
using this technique should be no trouble, even for
an internet newbie.
One great program although it's for a more advanced user
and complicated to set up is xav tracker. This is well worth
the trouble learning. It gives you every tracking option you
could want including what keyword a person used to find you.
you can find it at: http://www.xav.com/scripts/axs/
If you are not comfortable using the code call for your ad
or would like to use a unique URL for a search engine
submission you can easily accomplish the same results by
creating a unique directory using a code name. For example:
www.yourname.com/adcode/ Just create a copy of your index
page inside it or insert a page that redirects to your
index.
Every time that URL is accessed it will show up in your
logs. This is more tedious then using ?code but will produce
the results you are looking for!
About the Author
David Seitz
CEO and President Virtual Imagination Inc.
http://www.virtual-imagination.com/
"Subscribe to the FREE Award Winning Helping Hand Internet
Marketing Newsletter Today For More Great Articles and
Tips Just Like This!" mailto:subscribe@associatesearch.com
http://www.helpinghand-newsletter.com/