Manual vs. Software Affiliate Tracking: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Business

Table of Contents

Manual Tracking
Benefits
Drawbacks
Affiliate Tracking Software
Benefits
Drawbacks
Which tracking software should I choose from
Which tracking software can you use

 

In affiliate marketing, tracking performance is quite crucial for a marketer. The choice between Affiliate Marketing Tracking Methods i.e. affiliate tracking software and manual tracking can change your future. Businesses are now craving performance marketing for their growth, and tracking performance marketing is also quite crucial for success.

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of manual tracking and affiliate tracking software.

 

A graphic comparing affiliate tracking software and manual tracking methods, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.

 

Manual Tracking

This involves tracking affiliate marketing performance using spreadsheets and other manual mediums. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of affiliate tracking. 

 

A graphic illustrating the process of manual tracking, highlighting its potential challenges and benefits.

 

Benefits 

It is extremely cost-effective, as it eliminates the requirement for expensive software, which consumes an expensive budget. As it uses nearly free tools like spreadsheets.

You are fully in control of all the data and reports that can be generated. You are also free to customize your tracking methods, which can be tailored to your needs.

It is extremely simple to set up, and you can happily organize it in your spreadsheet. Manual tracking can be implemented without the need for extensive setup.

It is extremely adaptable to changes in tracking requirements without waiting for an update to change. You can create customizable reports to meet your specific needs.

Drawbacks

This process requires manual collection, input, and analysis of the data, which requires a significant amount of time. You require a small team to meet the demands of hard work and time.

There is an extremely high chance that errors will occur in data entry, calculations, and reporting. Also, there is inconsistency in tracking methods and data interpretation, which can harm your reports.

managing the large volume of data, which can make the scale of scalability degrade. As it becomes extremely difficult to track the growing number of affiliates and campaigns.

Data collection and reporting have a high chance of being delayed, which can hinder real-time decision-making. You can witness a lack of immediate access, which harms your real-time decision.

Affiliate Tracking Software

Affiliate tracking software processes, analyzes, and reports on affiliate marketing campaigns. The reports are provided in real-time and with analytics, which is helpful for analysis.

 

A graphic comparing various affiliate tracking software features and benefits.

 

Benefits 

It automates the data collection, provides real-time reports, and reduces the time and effort spent on manual tracking. Tracking software reduces the time and effort required for manual tracking.

There is no scope for human error in tracking software, which is going to harm your reports and produce losses. Also, make sure that your tracking performance works uniformly across different campaigns.

It produces reports on various performance metrics, such as clicks, conversions, and revenue. You can create your tailored dashboard to focus on your specific KPIs.

You can easily scale your network as tracking software is strong enough to manage large amounts of data, which makes it suitable for all types of businesses. 

Tracking software includes features to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, which helps you promote your campaign by preventing invalid traffic and conversions. This also ensures that your data is safe and easily accessible. 

Drawbacks

As it involves subscription fees, often monthly or annually, which can be considered a high amount for beginners, You can incur extra costs for additional features and data limits.

You will need to learn about tracking software, which requires time and effort. As you need to integrate the software with existing systems, it is complex and time-consuming.

Potential risks such as technical issues and data loss can result in a disruption of tracking. Handling sensitive data requires compliance with privacy regulations.

 

Which tracking software should I choose from?

Considering the basic objectives that you need tracking software to fulfil, So let’s discuss what affiliate tracking software needs to do for you.

Budget: Affiliate tracking software has high subscription fees, which are quite expensive for beginners. You can use software that provides its services at a sustainable rate, and you can test them after getting a demo period from them.

Ease of use: You need to find tracking software that has an excellent user interface for you to use easily.

Scalability: You need to find software that provides you with maximum conversions at the lowest prices because it requires you to scale your business.

Features: There are many features, such as real-time tracking, anti-fraud, and smart links, that help your affiliate network grow.

Customer Support: Customer support is essential for you because whenever a technical error occurs, you need to make sure that your customer support team consists of a technical team and is always available for you. 

 

Which tracking software can you use?

You can happily use our excellent affiliate tracking software, Trakaff, and for you to make your decision, I will present you with the reasons that will urge you to at least try out our software. have reasonable fees, which even you will justify when you try out our software.

We will charge only what you paid for and what your demand is.

We have nearly 200+ customers who are using our software, and that justifies the fact that our software is easy to use. Even if you have a hard time, we will personally help you onboard your network with our software.

Scalability will be easy for you while you use our software because we present you with nearly 80+ real-time reports, which can help you scale your business.

We provide features such as Smartlinks, Anti-fraud, and CR Optimizer, which can help you grow and provide you with success.

We have a technical team at your disposal that can help you resolve your query as soon as possible.

So, what are you waiting for? Try our affiliate tracking software, which can help your network grow. So,  try our 14-day trial, which can help you make a decision.

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