When to test
- When integrating with AvantLink for the first time, you should test your tracking after your have integrated the tracking script and your product datafeed.
- When you are an active merchant, you should test anytime you update or change anything on your merchant site. Such as implementing a new theme or switching to a new eCommerce platform.
How to place a test order
Tracking tests work exactly like an affiliate link. The test tracking link will use AvantLink's test affiliate account (ID 101) and orders are automatically canceled to prevent commissions from being paid out. Test results are sent via email.
- Build a test tracking link.
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Click the test tracking link or paste the link into a browser. It will redirect to your homepage.
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- Ensure that you do not have any plugins installed on your browser that can block cookies when testing.
- If testing on a dev/sandbox/staging environment that uses a different sub-domain then your production website, contact your integration rep.
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Complete the purchase within ten minutes of using the test tracking link each of the scenarios outlined in the next section.
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The transaction amount must be greater than zero ($0.00).
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Results will be emailed within 20 minutes. Keep the "Thank You / Order Confirmation" page open in your browser until you receive one of the Tracking Results emails.
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- If you receive a Successful test email, ensure all the data is accurate by comparing the data in the email compared to your e-commerce platform.
- If you receive either a Partial Success or a Failure email, please refer to the tracking troubleshooting article.
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- Be sure to cancel the order(s) in your e-commerce platform.
Test scenarios to ensure data is accurate
Place a test order for each of the following scenarios to ensure all the data is tracking correctly.
- Scenario 1: Ensure basic order information is correct. Add a quantity of two for one product SKU and add a quantity of one for a different product SKU. Note: the sale amount must be greater than zero to track in AvantLink.
- Are the Request Details correct?
- Is the Transaction ID (Order Number) correct?
- Is the Sale Amount correct?
- It should omit tax and shipping.
- Ensure the correct currency is being passed.
- Are the Order Item Details correct?
- Are both the Item Parent SKU and Item Variant SKU accurate?
- Is the Item Quantity correct?
- Is the Item Price correct?
- It should reflect the cost of one item.
- Is the Product Name correct?
- For the Product Name to be correct the Item Parent SKU must have a match in your product datafeed. If your datafeed has not been configured yet or is the SKU is unavailable in the product datafeed, you will not see this data in your test results.
- Are the Request Details correct?
- Scenario 2: Ensure the coupon code is correct. After ensuring the data is accurate in the first scenario, place an additional tracking test using a coupon code. Add three products to your cart (ideally use different products than scenario 1). Have a quantity of two for one product sku and then add at least one other product sku.
- Is the data outlined in scenario 1 still correct?
- Does the Sale Amount reflect the discount?
- Is the Coupon Code correct?
- Scenario 3: Ensure the new customer is correct. After ensuring the data is accurate in the previous scenarios, place an additional two test orders to validate new customer sales. Place one order by logging into your store, then place a second order by using the guest checkout.
- Is the New Customer correct?
- Existing customers are identified if you logged to your store before completing the purchase.
- Guest checkouts are identified as New Customers.
- Is the New Customer correct?
You may stop testing after you have verified the data is accurate for all of above scenarios. This indicates all of the recommended tracking parameters are tracking properly.