Hi All,
I've been on STM for a little over a week and it's been awesome. I've learned a lot and accomplished a few simple things but now I'm gearing up to do some testing.
I've been approved for 2 ecom related affiliate networks. I asked both of my AMs what their top 3 converting offers were. They both provided me with that info.
The questions I have are related to the technical aspects of dealing with an affiliate network. Please see my questions below:
1 - I'm used to
2 - Do I need a tracker for FB ads? Do I need a VPS?
3 - One of my AMs sent me a bunch of info on 3 offers (creatives for several different variations of the offer, demo & geo data, etc.). I don't know which variation I should start off with (Direct to checkout, VSL splash page, etc.). Do I ask my AM this?
4 - Should I just try running traffic using the creatives they've already supplied me with or should I make my own? Maybe a split test between theirs and what I create in the hopes of establishing a control and then trying to beat the ad that's working? Or maybe I start just testing headlines? What should my starting point be?
5 - How do I retrieve my unique affiliate links so I can start prepping some test campaigns? I don't yet have a strong grasp on how these affiliate networks' platforms work. I know how to view offers & check descriptions and restrictions. I click on a tab labeled "Creatives" and in this section I see 2 sections that read "Get Link" & "Send Emails" with hyperlinks to what look like different variations of creatives. Is this where I retrieve my unique affiliate links?
6 - What does this mean - Sub ID Instructions
[COLOR=#666666 !important]Please note that the s1 parameter should only be used to pass NON-UNIQUE SubAffiliate IDs. If you are using UNIQUE Click IDs each time someone clicks on the link, please use another Sub ID field (s2-s5) as instructed by your Account Manager. If you are using HitPath specifically, you can send unique Sub IDs and affiliate Sub IDs using the following method: &s1=xxagentidxx&s2=jjhitjj (For DT use &s1=%LINK&s2=%SUBID1).
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7 - I Found the "Testing & Tracking" section. I see a section labeled Tokens, Token names, Token labels. Another section with Test Link, Postback URL (server Pixel), Postback Delay, Pixel HTML .... Um... What are these things? Maybe I've discovered where I put my event pixels. I just need to know what this other stuff means. I read the instructions but don't yet have the full picture. Please help. Just in case the layout & instructions are different on other networks I'm pasting the instructions found in one network for the purposes of using it as an example. Please see below:
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Instructions
[COLOR=#666666 !important]Please place your internal testing link in the box below so when tests are performed, your pixel will fire correctly. You may place as many pixels as necessary one after the other in the Pixel HTML box below. Additionally, you may use a Postback URL if your tracking system requires it. Any of the tokens on the left can be inserted dynamically into your pixel(s).
I could really use some guidance here. Many thanks in advance.