Hiding Referral Codes in Affiliate Links
Brands have the option to include or hide referral codes in affiliate links by specifying an optional URL in the e-store. If a Store promo URL is provided, it will be used as the format for the affiliate link. The system will then automatically insert each advocate’s unique referral code into their individual link by using the [promo-code] variable.
This is done by on the group profile > e-store setting under Store promo URL see further reading here.
Platform-Specific Promo Code Handling
Different eCommerce platforms have unique methods for applying promo codes at checkout:
- Shopify: Has an inbuilt feature as default and uses a path structure /discount/[promo-code] to automatically apply a discount.
- Other platforms: May use different URL formats or parameters to achieve this.
Path example:
Parameter example:
🚨 Ensuring Promo Code Retention Across Store Redirections
It is the brand’s responsibility to ensure that referral codes are retained and reapplied when users are redirected between different regional eCommerce stores. Assuming the eCommerce has Duel order tracking in place. This is important when:
- There are automatic or manual redirects between stores.
- A customer clicks an affiliate link but completes their purchase on a different regional store.
For instance, if a user clicks on an affiliate link intended for the US eCommerce store but their location is detected as Canada, we want the referral code to be automatically applied to the Canadian eCommerce store instead. This ensures a seamless experience, prevents the loss of affiliate attributions due to regional redirects, and maximises conversion opportunities.
Brands should verify that their eCommerce platform supports promo code retention across redirects. This may involve passing promo codes through URL parameters or storing them in session data.