According to Shopify, global affiliate marketing spending will reach nearly $16 billion by the end of 2024. With many advertisers using the channel for its key benefits such as scalability, automation and results-based pricing, ensuring accurate and consistent tracking is paramount to successful partnerships. Unfortunately, software upgrades that provide improved user experiences can also cause unexpected collateral damage to critical integrations – as evidenced by the impact of the recent Shopify Checkout Extensibility update on affiliate tracking.
Following the release of Checkout Extensibility, many advertisers are reporting discrepancies in affiliate and partner tracking data, resulting in inaccurate attributions and underpaid partners. Inconsistent tracking makes it impossible to accurately measure the results of partnership programs, implement data-driven optimizations, and reward partners equally.
The Affiliate Tracking Problem: Shopify Checkout Extensibility Update
While Shopify's checkout extensibility offers advertisers the ability to optimize the customization of the checkout experience for consumers, the update has disrupted (and in some cases even disabled) the once persistent and accurate tracking of affiliate channels. The result? Many advertisers are dealing with inaccurate data and misattributed revenue – inconsistencies in tracking that make it impossible to fairly compensate their partners – and worse, partners are missing out on revenue
If you rely on affiliate or partner programs to grow your business, these disruptions can impact your view of actual channel performance. When traffic and revenue are misattributed, advertisers are unable to accurately measure results and allocate budget. Additionally, conversions that are incorrectly attributed to other channels prevent partners from being rewarded for the value they provide.
Why accurate affiliate and partner tracking is important
With Shopify's checkout extensibility update, it's critical for brands to adapt and have the right tools to sustain their partner programs during the Q4 shopping holiday and beyond. Consistent, accurate tracking is paramount to partner channel optimization for the following reasons:
- Accurate assignment. To provide a true picture of performance, accurately allocate expenses, and achieve operational scaling impact, accurately capturing revenue and allocating it to the appropriate channel is critical.
- Fair partner rewards. Paying partners for the value they provide is critical to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership.
- Understand performance. Accurate data is needed to measure the success of partnership programs and ensure that the value the channel provides as part of advertisers' digital mix is properly recognized.
Solution: Accurate, persistent affiliate tracking for Shopify customers with Partnerize
Recognizing the critical nature of the problem, Partnerize set out to develop and release an easy-to-implement solution that ensures accurate, persistent tracking for Shopify advertisers – without requiring a dependency on development teams.
Partnerize is committed to providing advertisers with flexible, future-proof tracking solutions – a range of options that include streamlined integrations with leading e-commerce platforms like Shopify. The latest version of our Shopify app is an easy-to-implement tracking solution designed for peak performance accurate, permanent affiliate tracking.
With the latest version of the Partnerize Shopify app, brands can:
- Eliminate dependency on developer resources. With the Partnerize Shopify app, no technical resources or developer support is required. Accurate, persistent tracking can be implemented in just a few minutes using simple step-by-step instructions directly from the Shopify admin.
- Make sure the mapping is correct: The Shopify app supports ongoing tracking of partnership channels, ensuring all affiliate activity is recorded and attributed accordingly.
- Get accurate and reliable results. Advertisers using the Partnerize solution saw an average 50% increase in revenue from associated affiliate channels thanks to better tracking and attribution.
- Automate manual program management tasks. In addition to conversion tracking, the integration automates transaction validation for returns and order changes, saving program management time that can be used for strategy and optimization.
Real results: A 50% increase in affiliate revenue for Partnerize Shopify advertisers
After implementing the Partnerize Shopify app, Shopify advertisers reported significant improvements in their affiliate results. Our analysis shows an average increase in affiliate generated revenue of 50% For advertisers using our solution – accurate data that validates the value of partnerships, enables fair partner rewards, and paints a true picture of channel results to make strategic decisions across primary sales and marketing channels.
With accurate tracking and proper attribution, advertisers can drive more affiliate-driven sales and take full advantage of their affiliate partnerships.
Success story: Quick setup, instant increase in revenue from associated affiliate channels
Collaborate with advertisers Goodbye SmithHead of Digital at Michael Stars, shared their experiences with the updated Partnerize Shopify app:
“After the checkout extensibility update, we struggled with incomplete affiliate tracking and lost sales. However, upgrading the Partnerize Shopify app was a breeze – it only took a few minutes and we didn't need any help from developers. After implementing the solution, we saw a significant increase in affiliate channel revenue. It’s great to know that our affiliate provider is investing in integrations to ensure traffic is accurately tracked and our partners get the recognition they deserve.”
For partners, integrating the Partnerize Shopify app to track affiliate commissions and payments was almost instantaneous. The previous issues of missed sales and underpaid transactions have been resolved, ensuring accurate attribution and a seamless, protected revenue stream. This system gives partners peace of mind that their contributions are correctly recognized and compensated.
As James Little from TopCasback states:
“A reliable and persistent affiliate tracking system is the cornerstone of protecting affiliate revenue streams. Without it, sales can be lost, commissions can be misattributed, and trust between advertisers and partners can be compromised. Consistent follow-up ensures that every effort is recognized and rewarded, ensuring long-term profitability for everyone involved. We are pleased with the steps Partnerize has taken with the updated Shopify app to protect our interests.”
Step-by-step guide: How to set up Partnerize affiliate tracking on Shopify
Getting started with Partnerize's Shopify affiliate tracking solution is quick and easy. Follow these simple steps. This process only takes a few minutes, but has a big impact on the effectiveness of your affiliate program:
- Install the Partnerize app: Go to the Shopify App Store and search for the Partnerize Affiliate Tracking app. Click “Install” to add it to your Shopify store.
- Configure your settings: Once the app is installed, open it in your Shopify admin. You'll be guided through a simple setup process to configure your tracking settings.
- Enable persistent tracking: Make sure to enable persistent tracking so that every affiliate sale is properly tracked from the first click to checkout.
- Monitor your performance: Once everything is set up, you'll have access to real-time tracking and performance data so you can monitor your affiliate earnings and program success.
Conclusion: The Partnerize Shopify app gives advertisers the tools they need to maximize the potential of their affiliate marketing efforts while ensuring that partners are appropriately rewarded and compensated for the value they deliver.
Are you ready to optimize your affiliate program and ensure every sale is accurately tracked? Install the Partnerize Shopify app today and reap the benefits of persistent affiliate tracking. If you're not currently a Partnerize advertiser, contact our team to learn how to accelerate accurate and persistent tracking with the Shopify app.
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