In today’s Affiliate Marketing Webinar, I shared a tip on how to get around bad sales copy when you want to promote a great product through ClickBank. The trick is to write your own sales copy for the product, and then link an order button directly to the checkout page.
Typically, when you are promoting a ClickBank product as an affiliate you will use what they call a “hoplink” to the merchant’s sales copy. That hoplink tracks the click-through’s and you get credit for every sale in the form of commission.
In the rare case that you want to bypass the merchant’s sales copy, you can set up a direct link to the checkout page that will still track your referrals. Here’s how you do that…
clickbank.net/sell.cgi?YOURID_MERCHANTID/ProductNumber/ProductName
You will need to put the “http://” in front of that, and also make sure the link comes out all on one line - it breaks into two lines here on this page, but you want to make sure to create the link with no spaces or breaks.
There are 4 things you need to edit in that link:
- YOURID which is your ClickBank ID
- MERCHANTID the merchant’s ClickBank ID
- ProductNumber
- ProductName
The product name and product number can be found in the merchant’s original checkout link. What I usually do is view the merchant’s sales copy page, then click View > Source in my browser. This brings up the source code for the page, and you can locate the order button and analyze their order link.
Obviously it is best to get the merchant’s permission to link directly to the checkout from your own sales copy for their product. 
You’ll also want to test your link once you create it…
Put the order link on your web page, and then click on it to make sure that it works correctly. Once you get to the ClickBank checkout page, put in your zip code and then scroll down to the bottom of the payment page to make sure that your affiliate ID shows up at the very bottom. This is how you know that the link works correctly, and and that it tracks you as the affiliate referrer.
Best,
42 responses so far ↓
Stefani // Nov 20, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Thanks for sharing how to do this. When I was trying to promote Clickbank with Adwords I would find products I wanted to promote, just didn’t like their sale copy. Now I know how and have bookmarked this page!
Chris Jacobson // Nov 21, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Great tip. Thanks Lynn!
Sandy Naidu // Nov 21, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Good tip Lynn…Had no idea we could do this
Sandy
Michael Weir // Nov 22, 2007 at 8:17 am
Very useful when using PPC.
It makes sense to use your own landing page so you’re not directly competing against other affiliates or the merchant.
But you run the risk of losing a potential customer if they are forced to go through the merchant’s landing page as well. This solves the problem.
Thanks for the tip, Lynn.
Andrea Yager // Nov 24, 2007 at 3:13 pm
This is Great! I am going to quote you on this! Why? When I was a member of a recent group, they wanted us to promote clickbank products, but we first had to create our own sales page - as the pre sell - all I kept asking was if we did that, cant we skip the clickbank sales page?? So thanks!
Straight to the Clickbank Order Page and avoid the Salespages? It's POSSIBLE! Step by Step How To! // Nov 26, 2007 at 10:27 am
[...] surfing the web a bit yesterday, I accidentely fell on the solution! Here is what Lynn Terry from ClickNewz says: (ok this is copy and paste to make sure you get the technical details right - hope thats [...]
Tamara // Nov 27, 2007 at 12:46 am
This is so neat thanks for sharing. I never knew it was possible.
vince // Mar 4, 2008 at 9:34 am
Hi great information for affiliate.
By the way, is there any similar trick on applying in CJ ?
Thanks
Vince
Lynn Terry // Mar 4, 2008 at 10:17 am
Not that I know of… but CJ is not the payment processor for their merchants. they are simply a network. ClickBank is actually the processor, which is why you can link directly to checkout that way.
Jun Yuan Lim // Mar 14, 2008 at 1:27 am
Hi Lynn
Great tip there - I tried to use your method to test it out for a particular product but when it went to the payment page, right at the bottom it didn’t show my affiliate ID.
For example sake, I tried out on this product called “Top Secret Fat Loss Secret”
My affiliate ID is junyuan, Merchant’s ID is fatsecret, Product Number is 3 and Product Description is Top_Secret_Fat_Loss_Secret_Pro
So, the link should be:
http://clickbank.net/sell.cgi?junyuan_fatsecret/3/Top_Secret_Fat_Loss_Secret_Pro
So after I created the link above I copied into my Internet browser to test it out - However, affiliate at the bottom of the page isn’t my affiliate ID (which is junyuan).
I did some investigation on the URL and here it is:
https://ssl.clickbank.net/order/orderform.html?time=1205475915&vvvv=666174736563726574&item=3&titl=Top_Secret_Fat_Loss_Secret_Pro&vvar=&name=&emal=&ctry=&zipc=&affi=junyuan&
As I’ve noticed, at the tail end of the URL it says affi=junyuan& - and junyuan is my affiliate ID.
With that being the case, wonder if I’ll be created with the sale if someone clicks on the affiliate link I’ve created to buy this product?
Appreciate your help on this.
Many thanks!
Regards
Jun Yuan Lim
Kevin // Apr 30, 2008 at 8:14 am
Jun Yuan,
What I discovered the last few days is that the direct link kind of works. It works as long as no one else has been clicked on for their affiliate hoplink. Basically, if a hoplink is registered from a previous click, they will get the credit for the customer’s purchase and not you.
I’m not sure what the link you showed is doing, but it looks like it might be the better way of doing it.
Thanks,
Kevin
Lynn Terry // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Actually with ClickBank the last affiliate to refer a buyers gets the commission. No matter how many affiliate links a buyer has clicked first, its the one that ‘makes the sale’ that earns the cash.
Lynn Terry // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hi Jun Yuan,
When I click that link:
http://clickbank.net/sell.cgi?junyuan_fatsecret/3/Top_Secret_Fat_Loss_Secret_Pro
I see your affiliate ID at the very bottom of the checkout page. So its working fine
Kevin // Apr 30, 2008 at 8:00 pm
OK, I’m just saying check it out by clicking on using another persons hoplink so when you get to the PayPal it has their Affiliate ID, then try doing the one that you think works OK. For me the person getting the commission would be the “another psersons hoplink”. That’s the way it works for me.
Jun Yuan Lim // Apr 30, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Hi all
Thanks so much for all the help! Appreciate it.
Funny - it just doesn’t work on my computer - could it be because I’m using Windows Vista?
May I ask what Internet Browser are you guys using? I’ve tried out the link in Mozilla Firefox and IE 7 and it doesn’t work - with Windows Vista. Are you guys using Windows XP?
Cheers,
Jun Yuan
Lynn Terry // May 1, 2008 at 5:51 am
I just tried it on Vista using IE and it still worked for me. I tried it on XP the last time. So I dont think thats the issue…
Jun Yuan Lim // May 1, 2008 at 9:26 am
Hi Lynn
Thanks for your help! Its funny the code just somehow refused to work on my computer. Anyways appreciate all the help once again you’ve provided!
Cheers
Jun Yuan Lim
tony // May 30, 2008 at 12:35 am
Hi folks,
I can’t seem to figure out what might be obvious.
Mind if I ask where or how you can identify the MERCHANTID , please?
Is it from the clickbank marketplace?
Thank you.
Regards
tony
Lynn Terry // May 30, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi Tony,
What I usually do is view the merchant’s sales copy page, then click View > Source in my browser. This brings up the source code for the page, and you can locate the order button and analyze their order link.
tony // Jun 1, 2008 at 5:21 am
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for your helpful reply : )
May I just double check for the example below (after viewing the source code for the order button):
http://1.widgetproduct.pay.clickbank.net/?detail=Widget_Product_For_Profits
Would “Widget_Product_For_Profits” (without quotes) be the MERCHANTID, please?
Please pardon my confusion.
If I am still way off, would you mind using an example e.g. BurnTheFat.com to show me where is or how to identify the MERCHANTID, please ?
This would help me lots.
Thanks, Lynn.
Cheers
tony
Lynn Terry // Jun 1, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hi Tony,
That site is not using a standard Clickbank checkout link, so I see why you are confused. Contact the merchant and request permission to create your own unique sales page and link directly to checkout. Tell him that you’ll need the MerchantID, ProductNumber and ProductName.
Richard // Jun 3, 2008 at 12:54 am
Greetings Tony,
In your example the merchant ID would be widgetproduct.
The only reason why that link did not work is because widgetproduct is not a real merchant.
Simply replace that with a real working merchant ID and you’re in business.
I’ve found that the easiest way to obtain a merchants ID is to go to the checkout screen. The merchant ID and product number will be located right under the word ITEM.
Richard
clickbankblog.com
tony // Jun 3, 2008 at 2:58 am
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your post and feedback.
Actually, this clickbank link was made-up : )
http://1.widgetproduct.pay.clickbank.net/?detail=Widget_Product_For_Profits
Nevertheless, in this example, if “widgetproduct” is the merchantID, then, which is the product number (”1″, I guess), and which or where is the product name, please?
In some clickbank order buttons, I might see
http://1.widgetthingy.pay.clickbank.com so again, it seems unclear which/where is the product number, product name and merchantID.
If an actual example could be illustrated using a a real clickbank product, then that probably might clear up my confusion lots : )
Regardless, thanks again for helping me learn a lil more.
Cheers
tony
Jarod // Jun 3, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Lynn,
You’re hot. No really… litterally you are HOT! And intelligent. Golden combination! I wanna date you if you aren’t taken yet :).
Thanks for this tip. Very useful. I needed to do this with some reviews of mine. I saw an instant increase in conversion. superb stuff!
Thanks, Lynn.
J.
Lynn Terry // Jun 3, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thank you Jarod
Glad you found the tip helpful!
Jarod // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:18 pm
You’re welcome. Well deserved praise ;).
Yeah… this tip was really cool. I am already browsing your site a bit for more useful tips. Al though I am making good money online… even I can learn new things :).
So… I supose you are a niche marketer… am I right?
J.
PS. J. for you Lynn
Jarod // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:19 pm
BTW. About testing the link:
Do you mean I should actually purchase the product? I would suppose that having your aff. ID at the bottom is enough proof it was successful. But you never know.
Lynn Terry // Jun 3, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I am, and I have sites in a variety of niches. I dont discuss them often here, but I did post a bit of insight recently at: http://www.clicknewz.com/1122/how-i-make-money-online-part-2-an-inside-look/
In regards to testing the link, no - you dont have to purchase the product. You can simply confirm that the ID is at the bottom of the checkout page.
Though I often purchase through my link to test it and to review the product, and also to review the order/checkout process (ie optin & download page, etc) for a full review.
Jarod // Jun 3, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I agree on purchasing a product to be able to review it. It’s an ethical thing, really, isn’t it.
Also, I find it very interesting to analyze the purchase and follow-up process of a website. You can really learn a lot from that.
About not discussing your niches:
That’s logical. Why should you if they make you money. No need for others to snoop around in your niches ;).
Lynn Terry // Jun 3, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I used to be more liberal about my niches & projects to be honest, but after a few clones in a row… I stopped. I have a few example sites I mention now and then, but I find I lose my passion for them once they’re “out”.
Jarod // Jun 3, 2008 at 7:40 pm
That is another very good reason why you should keep them to yourself then. Especially when something makes you money.
I guess most people start out being “liberal” about it in this business model. Untill you realize that it’s good for your sales if you actually review the product :).
Having that said, I know a lot of people who just keep on doing it like that. And they keep on making a cool buck online.
Lynn Terry // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Ahh by liberal I meant sharing my niches & affiliate sites libearlly. I’ve always been a reviewer
There are exceptions of course like when I’m selling nascar tickets or something =p
Jarod // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Aaaaah, okay :). Well.. still most people DO review without ever seeing a product. I used to be guilty of that myself
Not so cool… I know.
I don’t blame you for making an exception with nascar tickets. Would be pretty bored if I had to review those races, myself :). But yeah… you reviewing a nascar race would be the same as me reviewing the barbie convention. It doesn’t fit
Serafettin Arslan // Aug 6, 2008 at 12:14 am
I am from Turkey.
Cok tesekkur ederim (in English; tahnk you very much)
I’m a ClickBank junkie (ClickBank review & strategies) // Aug 18, 2008 at 3:08 pm
[...] So, here’s how to do it (hat tip to ClickNewz): [...]
Brian // Sep 10, 2008 at 12:12 am
Thanks for the great tip. Now my question is, do you know how to do this AND keep the tracking ID intact? I want to track the keywords from my PPC campaign. Normally, we do this by appending “?tid= 123″ to the hop link. Any insights here is much appreciated.
Niche Blog Theme, Posts, Categories and Tracking : Digital Products Review // Sep 30, 2008 at 4:39 pm
[...] I am starting with products and am basically rewriting the sales pages and trimming them down a lot. I will be sending potential buyers to the sales page and don’t want them to get de ja vu. Another option is directly linking to the sales page. [...]
Ye James // Oct 7, 2008 at 7:28 pm
hi, thanks for tharing.
I also learn another direct checkout link as the format of below:
http://PRODCT_NUM.AFF_ID_PUBLISHER.pay.clickbank.net
I this case, it will not override a ClickBank cookie that is already exists in the user computer. You might lose sales with this method.
So I also think this your direct order format:
http://PRODCT_NUM.AFF_ID_PUBLISHER.pay.clickbank.net
Might do the same thing…
Torben // Oct 16, 2008 at 1:20 am
Well the method is nice, but the problem is that no tracking for the converting keywords will be running which is bad if you use PPC. For the main-hop-link you can append the /?tid=KEYWORD parameter, but for those direct-to-order-page links I have found no way to attach that in any way.
Anyone has a workaround for that?
Lynn Terry // Oct 24, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Good question - I dont, but hopefully someone will & they’ll share it here. I generally use SEO (free search traffic) to promote products myself…
Question For Expert Affiliate Marketers... // Oct 29, 2008 at 1:38 pm
[...] Check out these two links for more info on direct linking, including the code needed to do so: ClickBank Affiliate Tip: Direct Link To Checkout ClickBank Publisher [...]
Fred Lam // Nov 14, 2008 at 1:59 am
Hey Lynn,
Thanks for the link, but I have actually tried it, and it won’t override with the previous affiliate that have brought the customer into the offer. I have tried using the hop link provided by Clickbank with a different affiliate ID for the offer and have actually tried bypassing it with your link which looks like this…
http://clickbank.net/sell.cgi?iproinc_ipodpsp/5/cb-ipodpsp-5
I have tried it a couple times with that link, but it wont’ override the previous affiliate link. Please advise if I did something wrong and help me with this.
Thanks in advance!
Fred
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