Google Analytics Conversion Tracking

[acemenace]

Is Google Analytics conversion tracking probably the best way to track converting keywords? I am not very good with PHP and Tracking202 and Prosper202 are a pain in the ass when you have multiple ads and adgroups.

[keliix06]

I'm probably paranoid, but I would never give Google my conversion data when they are serving my ads as well. I have no proof, but it only makes sense that they would use conversion data to help determine quality score.

I just started moving from an tracking system I built to Prosper202. Granted it takes a little bit of time to setup, but I have campaigns with 40+ ad groups that I was able to migrate in just a few hours, even with how slow Yahoo is. Google is really quick to update with the Adwords editor.

[artarmon42]

How does Prosper202 track conversion $?
Does it hook into the affiliate network to pull stats?

[mystickcal]

Umm I use adwords pixel for all my tracking, never had a problem. I guess it all depends on who you want to have your info.

Also, I've heard that sometimes google doesn't match up with the affiliate network. I've never experienced this and the only thing I could think of is the network is stealing some people's leads whoever says this, but just thought I'd throw that in too.

[acemenace]

I have read artamon's php tracking post for the 15th time and I now understand how to install it. Think that is good enough?

[keliix06]

Right now p202 works off of an avg cpc that you set, but there is talk that they are going to move to API integration to pull in real data.

I was using a system similar to the one artarmon posted for about a year, still am on a couple sites.

[WorkPlusFaith]

Umm I use adwords pixel for all my tracking, never had a problem. I guess it all depends on who you want to have your info.

Also, I've heard that sometimes google doesn't match up with the affiliate network. I've never experienced this and the only thing I could think of is the network is stealing some people's leads whoever says this, but just thought I'd throw that in too.
I'm going to follow your advice and use the adword tracking pixel. I've been bogged down with the PHP thing, and rather than slow my progress I'm just going to use the tool and not worry about Google seeing my conv stats. Tracking by the adgroup is getting old so I need to do something about that now.

Two Questions:
(1) How do you track YSM & Adcenter? Are you using Google's cross channel tracking or do you use something different for those two?

(2) First, I have to contact my aff mgr to put the pixel on my/the thank you page. Will using a redirect affect the pixel tracking? For ex: Let's say I have a site, www.ClickConsultants.com and the link to the affiliate offer page redirects from www.ClickConsultants.com/words.html, which then sends prospect to the affiliate offer landing page. Would that have any negative affect on the pixel tracking. (I'm redirecting so my affiliate link doesn't show on my landing page.)

Thanks.

[mystickcal]

I track YSM using YSM's tracking pixel. I normally don't use adcenter as the traiffic just isn't there that I'm normally looking for and I don't take the the time to work with them. However you can easily setup google cross tracking to work with both if you only want one pixel on the page but most affiliate companies will put as many as you want on the merchant page. By as many as you want, I mean one per advertiser.

Redirecting doesn't affect it at all. You can send them through 20 links and it will still work.

[WorkPlusFaith]

Thanks, Mystickal.