Domain redirect for direct mail (source) tracking in Analytics?
-
We have a client that would like to do some direct mail marketing and the plan is to use a short/simple domain in the marketing materials, which redirects to the main site domain. By default this would show as a referral traffic source in Analytics, right? So any traffic that came through that redirect would be attributed to "shortdomain.com / referral"? Meaning I wouldn't need to do any sort of customized, advanced tracking set up to track conversions that I've already set up (ecomm and goals) and attribute them to this new source?
Just double checking that I'm not overlooking something.
Thanks!
-
You should be able to see the 301 redirect as a referral source, yes. Just keep in mind that it might hurt conversion rate if you're sending users to one domain and redirecting them to another because it feels a little suspicious to some.
-
Thanks for the reply, but I actually have a couple of follow-up questions now:
It depends, some redirects do not pass on the referring domain which is what the analytics tool picks up to determine if it is a referral.
What do you mean by "some redirects"? I would be doing 301s most likely.
As for why I'd rather not use the URL building for tracking parameters - Because no one is going to type those lengthy URLs in. This short domain is going to be in direct mail marketing materials (like postcards)... So it makes sense to have "Visit shortdomain.com", but not http://www.shortdomain.com/?utm_source=Direct Mail&utm_medium=USPS&utm_campaign=Winter Promo
I'm just not certain that a simple 301 redirect on shortdomain.com to primarydomain.com would then show in GA what I explained in the original question.
Perhaps redirecting shortdomain.com to the longer http://www.shortdomain.com/?utm_source=Direct Mail&utm_medium=USPS&utm_campaign=Winter Promo is the solution?
-
It depends, some redirects do not pass on the referring domain which is what the analytics tool picks up to determine if it is a referral. I assume you are using Google Analytics by the way you have written the source. If so I would use GA's tracking parameters to be sure link to documentation on Google.
Another advantage of adding the campaign tracking you is that you can segment visitors by giving different campaign codes. So you might want to give a different code for direct mails to the different areas of the country, e.g. North East, South East then you could tell which area was more responsive or had biggest bounce rate.
Let me know if you need anything more on this?
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Different statistics in Google Analytics
Hi! A client of mine is having some trouble on his Google Analytics overview. When he checks the yearly report with number of visitors, new visitors, returning, ... he gets statistics that doesn't match mine. Also, he gets a notation from Google that no hits were fired, although the script is still there. On the other hand, I (logged in with another account) am seeing all statistics correctly. FYI: no filters were installed, nor segments, ... Why does the client see different and incorrect statistics? There should be a setting or something I'm overseeing. Hope you guys can help.
Reporting & Analytics | | conversal0 -
Universal Analytics: Why does Google Organic appear as Direct traffic?
Hi there, When I enter the site via Google Search and follow myself via Real-Time Analytics I appear an organic visitor (which is good). When I browse and visit the site I still am an organic visitor. However, as soon as I fill in the contact form (gravity forms) and land on the "thank you page" I appear as a direct visitor with Google as the source. Since I have the thank you page set-up as a goal, Analytics incorrectly attributes these conversions to the direct medium instead of the organic medium. The tracking code has been installed on all the pages and all conversions are being recorded. What is going on?
Reporting & Analytics | | Robbern0 -
Block IP from analytics
How can I block an ip from analytics? basically so I do not see test orders from a certain ip in the sales performance section? Thanks for any help.
Reporting & Analytics | | tdigital0 -
Google Analytics tracking code for completely new website
Hello! I use Google Analytics to monitor our company's websites. In the coming weeks we will roll out a brand new website for one of our brands to replace its current site. The domain name will remain the same. My question is, should I use the same tracking code that's been used on the existing site for the new site, or is there a benefit to creating a new tracking code? Thanks in advance!
Reporting & Analytics | | SmileMoreSEO
Erik0 -
ECommerc site redirect to external site when add to cart. Need HELP to track sales!!!
Hi, I buil this site on WordPress, http://www.pilatesboisfranc.com When you go on <<plan &="" pricing="">> on the menu you can purchase a package online.</plan> When you click ''Get Started Now'' or ''Add to Cart'' the buyer is redirect to this external site: mindbodyonline.com QUESTIONS: Can I track my sales on Googles Analytics? Can I creat a goal on G.A. ? I found this video: https://getsatisfaction.com/mindbody/topics/chalk_talk_how_to_setup_google_analytics Is this the right way to do this? About goals, a simple goal I would like to create is, one purchase. Can I acheive that? Not shure about Goals. When I test and purchase, URL is always the same https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=30371 I'm know only very basics stuff when it is time to play in Analytics, I hope you can provide help in details. Thank you, BigBlaze
Reporting & Analytics | | BigBlaze2050 -
Google Analytics and backlinking
Let say I have my main site and my secondary site that is optimized for a slightly different set of keywords (nonetheless still relevant to my main site). I have several links from a secondary site to my main site. Secondary site is on a different C-block. Do you ladies and gentlemen think that if I put both websites under the same google analytics account, Google is going to penalize me or remove some of the juice that is flowing from secondary site to the main site because it would detect through GA that both sites belong to the same entity?
Reporting & Analytics | | SirMax0 -
Looking for a Google Analytics expert
Looking to hire a Google Analytics expert for a project. Dealing with trying to track traffic across multiple domains and then work with the Ecommerce options. Contact Jeff Logan @ Avelient with costs and time frame for work. [personal information removed by editors. please contact via private message system to exchange information]
Reporting & Analytics | | Avelient0 -
Campaign tracking and duplicate content
Hi all, When you set up campaign tracking in Google Analytics you get something like this "?variable=value parameters" in the URL. If you place such a link on your site as an internal link, will it be considered as a different URL and will have its own link value? The question I have is, since Google knows it's a Google link and knows the original URL (by stripping the tags), does it pass link value to the original URL? If not, what can be done to pass link value? Thanks in advance. Henry
Reporting & Analytics | | hnydnn0