double meta refresh & tracking pixel

[spock49]

I think I've done a decent amount of research, here at WF and Google to know just enough to really screw up.

Can some WF experts help me? Here is the background info:

I have a site that is receiving nice organic traffic (no PPC yet) - let's say "IamAdork.com"

I would like to send this traffic to "YesYouAreAdork.com" via meta refresh. I would then meta refresh again and send the traffic to my merchant using my affiliate network sub-id.

I am not interested in using a landing page just yet; I would like to first test if this merchant is a good fit for my traffic.

My questions are:

1. For traffic measuring, should I just use Google Analytics (or Woopra) or should I use Tracking202? I think for my current purpose, Tracking202 might be an overkill;

2. Since my traffic is organic, do I need to bother with encrypting my sub-id? Should I be using something else than aff. marketing companie's sub-id?

3. I think I am quasi "direct linking" to merchan't landing page? how do I track sales? Just ask my account manager to create a tracking pixel and place it on the merchant's sales confirmation page?

I know these are very basic questions, but would greatly appreciate your help

spock

 

[omgyams]

I'm no expert

1. Google Analytics for traffic, tracking202 for sales.
2. Yes encrypt them.
3. You are technically direct linking because you're not using a LP. You track sales by dumping your subid reports into tracking202.

some reading: How to Set Up sub id Encryption with a PHP redirect : PROFITAPOLIS

 

[spock49]

thanks omgyams.

any other thoughts or opinions?