When buying traffic, do you need a link tracker tool? The answer is both yes and no. It depends on the type of traffic you're buying, and what your goals are for the campaign. If you're buying solo ads, for example, you don't need a link tracker because the vendor will give you a click-tracking link.
But if you're buying media buys or other types of traffic that don't come with a click tracking link, then you'll need a tool to track your clicks. In this blog post, I'll explore the different types of traffic and when you need a link tracker tool. I'll also share some of our favorite link tracker tools so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
Do I Need a Link Tracker?
If you are buying traffic for your website, it is important to know where that traffic is coming from. A link tracker tool helps you to do just that. By tracking the links that are being clicked on by visitors to your site, you can see which websites are referring traffic to your site and track the performance of your marketing campaigns.
There are a number of different link tracker tools available, but they all work in essentially the same way. When you click on a link to visit a website, the link tracker tool will record the source of the link (the website that it came from). This information can then be used to track the performance of your marketing campaigns and help you to improve them over time.
While there are many different uses for link tracker tools, they are particularly useful for those who are buying traffic. By tracking the links that refer traffic to your site, you can ensure that you are getting value for money from your marketing campaigns.
The Different Types of Link Trackers
There are several types of link trackers available on the market, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here is a brief overview of the most popular types of link trackers:
1. URL shorteners:
These tools allow you to shorten long URLs into shorter, more manageable links. This is ideal for when you want to share links on social media or other platforms where space is limited. URL shorteners also usually come with built-in tracking features, so you can see how many people click on your links.
2. Campaign tracking tools:
These tools are designed to help you track the performance of your online marketing campaigns. They can provide detailed insights into which campaign links are being clicked on the most, where your traffic is coming from, and how effective your campaigns are overall.
3. Link management platforms:
These all-in-one platforms offer a complete suite of link tracking and management features. They typically include powerful reporting tools so you can see which links are performing well, as well as advanced features like link rotators and cloaking (which I'll discuss in more detail below).
4. Custom link tracking solutions:
If you have specific requirements that aren't met by any of the above link trackers, you can always develop a custom solution. This is usually only necessary for larger businesses with complex tracking needs.
Choosing The Right Link Tracker For Your Business
Now that you understand the different types of link trackers available, it's time to choose the right one for your business. Here are a few key factors to consider when making your decision:
1. Your budget:
How much are you willing to spend on link tracking? If you're on a tight budget, free URL shorteners like Bitly or Rebrandly may be a good option. If you're willing to invest a little more, paid campaign tracking tools like Google Analytics or ClicMagick offer some powerful features. And if money is no object, all-in-one link management platforms like ClickMagick or Geniuslink offer the most comprehensive set of features.
2. Your needs:
What do you need from a link tracker? If you just want to shorten URLs and don't need any advanced features, a URL shortener will suffice. But if you want to track detailed campaign data or need other advanced features like rotators or cloaking, look for a more comprehensive solution.
3. Your level of technical expertise:
How comfortable are you with technology? If you're not very tech-savvy, look for a link tracker with a simple, user-friendly interface. On the other hand, if you're comfortable using more complex tools, you'll have more options to choose from.
4. Your level of commitment:
how long do you plan on using link tracking? If you only need it for a one-time project or short-term campaign, a free or low-cost solution may be all you need. But if you want to use link tracking on an ongoing basis, it's worth investing in a more robust solution.
5. Your privacy concerns:
How important is privacy to you and your users? If privacy is a top concern, make sure to choose a link tracker that doesn't collect any personally identifiable information (PII).
LinkTrackr vs Bl.ink: Which Is the Best LinkTracker?
Now that I've gone over the different types of link trackers with you and what to look for when choosing one, it's time to compare two of the most popular link trackers on the market: LinkTrackr and Bl.ink. Here's how they stack up in terms of features, pricing, and user experience:
1. Features
LinkTrackr and Bl.ink both offer a comprehensive set of features for link tracking and management. Here's a quick overview of what each tool offers:
LinkTrackr:
- URL shortening
- Campaign tracking
- Link cloaking
- Link rotators
- Smart links
- Click fraud protection
- Detailed reporting
- A/B testing
- Integrations with popular marketing platforms
Bl.ink:
- URL shortening
- Custom domain names
- Campaign tracking
- Link cloaking
- Smart links
- Click fraud protection
- Detailed reporting
2. Pricing
LinkTrackr and Bl.ink both offer a free plan, as well as paid plans that start at $9/month. Here's a breakdown of the features and pricing for each tool:
LinkTrackr:
- Free plan: 500 clicks/month
- Basic plan: $9/month (1,000 clicks/month)
- Professional plan: $49/month (10,000 clicks/month)
- Enterprise plan: $149/month (100,000 clicks/month)
Bl.ink:
- Free plan: 500 clicks/month
- Starter plan: $9/month (1,000 clicks/month)
- Growth plan: $19/month (5,000 clicks/month)
- Pro plan: $49/month (25,000 clicks/month)
What Features To Look For In a Link Tracker Tool
There are several key features to look for when selecting a link tracker tool. The tool should be able to track links in real-time, so you can see how your traffic is performing. It should also provide detailed statistics about each link, including clicks, impressions, and conversion rates. Additionally, the tool should allow you to manage multiple campaigns and track links from different platforms (such as email, social media, and banner ads).
The Benefits of Using a Link Tracker
A link tracker is a tool that can help you keep track of the links you are using to drive traffic to your website. By tracking the links you are using, you can see which ones are working and which ones are not. This can help you optimize your traffic campaign so that you get the most bang for your buck.
There are a number of benefits to using a link tracker:
1. You can track your results.
Link tracking allows you to see how well your links are performing. You can see which links are getting clicked on and which ones are not. This information can help you adjust your traffic campaign so that you are getting the most out of your links.
2. You can optimize your links.
If you see that certain links are not getting clicked on, you can try to optimize them so that they will be more effective. For example, you might change the anchor text or the destination URL. By optimizing your links, you can increase the chances that people will click on them.
3. You can save time.
Link tracking can save you a lot of time. Instead of manually checking your links to see if they are working, you can let the link tracker do it for you. This way, you can spend more time working on other aspects of your traffic campaign.
4. You can track multiple campaigns at once.
If you are running multiple traffic campaigns, link tracking can help you keep track of all of them. This way, you can see which campaign is performing the best and adjust accordingly.
5. You can track multiple links at once.
If you have a lot of links, link tracking can help you keep track of all of them. This way, you can see which ones are getting the most clicks and adjust your traffic campaign accordingly.
Link tracking is a valuable tool that can help you improve your traffic campaign. By tracking your links, you can see which ones are working and which ones are not. This information can help you optimize your traffic campaign so that you get the most out of your links.
How To Use a Link Tracker
There are a few different ways that link tracker tools can be used to track links. The most common is to use a tool like Google Analytics to track the number of clicks on a link. This can be done by setting up a goal in Google Analytics and then tracking the number of clicks on the link over time.
Another way to track links is to use a third-party service like bitly or Firebase Dynamic Links. These services allow you to shorten links and then track how many people click on them. This can be useful if you want to share links on social media or in other places where you don't have control over the HTML code.
Finally, some people choose to use their own custom link-tracking system. This can be done by setting up redirects on your server or using a plugin like WordPress Redirection. This method requires a bit more work but gives you more control over your data and how it's reported.
Do I Need A Link Tracker Tool When Buying Traffic? Conclusion
When you're buying traffic, you need to make sure that you're getting the most out of your investment. That's why a link tracker tool can be so valuable - it allows you to see which links are getting the most clicks and helps you determine where your traffic is coming from. If you're not using a link tracker tool, you could be missing out on valuable data that could help you better understand your traffic and how to get more of it.