AvantLink Releases Technology for Optional Direct to Merchant Affiliate Links

November 8, 2007; 09:40 AM

Park City, UT (PRWEB) November 8, 2007 -- The AvantLink Affiliate network announced recently the release of their Affiliate Link Encoder (ALE) tool, the first tool of its kind available from any network in the Affiliate space. As a leader in online marketing technology, AvantLink promptly responds to its partner's needs by creating useful and effective solutions that increase efficiencies.

The ALE tool uses JavaScript to automatically change direct to merchant links that appear in html into AvantLink tracking links. The direct links are converted to tracking links on the fly, as long as the merchant is in the AvantLink network. The ALE is optional for Affiliates, and its intent was to offer alternative link options and added benefits to online marketers.

There are many useful applications for the Affiliate Link Encoder, but perhaps the most powerful use of the tool is through online communities or blogs. Forum owners, for example, often find that members post direct links to merchants in day to day interactions. These direct links will not track and credit the referral source (the forum) in the event a sale occurs. The ALE offers an opportunity for forum owners to monetize the traffic that moves through these direct links.

AvantLink Affiliate Greg Blasko, owner and operator of AlpineZone.com, explains "This tool is a must have for forum owners. We have an outdoor gear forum and members post links to merchant products all the time. Now we can get some deserved commission on sales from these links!" Additionally, bloggers with years of archives have added the ALE JavaScript and instantly hundreds of direct to merchant links on their blog archives now track and credit sales accordingly.

"The end result of this innovative and optional solution is more revenues for the Affiliates, the merchants and our network," says David Clark, AvantLink CTO. "The ALE tool not only creates efficiencies, but it helps credit referrals for sales that would otherwise not be credited," he adds.

About AvantLink:
AvantLink was founded in 2005 on the ideas of innovation, quality and service. The network offers industry leading datafeeds and advanced Affiliate tools like embedded RSS feeds, an Affiliate API, coupon feeds, product displays and ad syndication options. For more information please visit AvantLink.com.