If you've ever used a template to build a website....

[Fanum]

Then go through it, in fine detail, using your FTP programme to delve into its deepest recesses.

This applies (most critically) to any site where you're selling something, or there is any form of monetisation going on.....might also be worth checking any flash apps or even image gallery apps you've used.

I've just been playing with some ZEN CART templates, and while I was poking around deep under the bonnet, I found their own Amazon, Ebay and a couple of other big name affiliate scheme registration cookies.

No wonder there are so many 'free' templates and apps out there

For the uninitiated, it means that anyone who uses a site that one of these 'free' templates has been used on, then goes to Ebay, Amazon etc etc, and buys something....ANYTHING at all, even if not remotely connected to the originating site, the provider of the original template (who cunningly hid their affiliate scheme details in the code) will get a commission on that sale (which comes from the Amazon/Ebay fees, not the buying or selling price, so in effect, it's invisible)

Very clever

PS this isn't Zen Cart doing it, it's the people passing on 'free' templates or apps for use

It wouldnt surprise me in the slightest to find that apps for phones/ipads etc etc have affiliate codes embedded......so if you use the app, then buy anything on one of the online shopping sites, the writers of the app will get their commission

 

[Den]

Maybe thats why they are free.

Does it do any harm to the owner of the website?

 

[Fanum]

Maybe thats why they are free.

Does it do any harm to the owner of the website?

No.

Unless of course they have built their website specifically as an affiliate site (like a couple of mine) where people are brought in by content and reviews, then are offered deals/sales on ebay/amazon etc.......if they buy something, I get the couple of percent commission drekkly from Amazon/Ebay or whomever.

Now just imagine if BHT had inserted his affiliate scheme cookies in here.....anyone logging inhere, then at any point buying anything from Ebay or Amazon, he'd get a couple of % commission









Er...Paul, I have an idea for you

 

[STUBBS]

No.

Now just imagine if BHT had inserted his affiliate scheme cookies in here.....anyone logging inhere, then at any point buying anything from Ebay or Amazon, he'd get a couple of % commission



Er...Paul, I have an idea for you

that will get you back on the yacht at the captains table

 

[judge]

Zencart, OScommerce - free or a reason

 

[Fanum]

Zencart, OScommerce - free or a reason

I've already binned Zen Cart......it was all too deeply rooted and after 6 hours of work to get it all integrated into a subdomain, I just shouted at it and deleted the whole database

Fekk that for a game of soldiers

 

[Fanum]

that will get you back on the yacht at the captains table

Nawwww.....I'd have to start behaving myself again then

I'll stay down on the loose cannons deck

 

[DJ GSA]

Templates usually cause more trouble than they are worth.

Find yourself a friendly neighbourhood web bloke to do templates for you

I do mind in notepad lol

plenty of free java, jquery and ajax bits you can find to add it

design the template yourself (word, powerpoint, paint etc)

or find a site you like and rip it off

your be surprised at just how many do that, i know cos thats what i do

 

[Fanum]

Templates usually cause more trouble than they are worth.

Find yourself a friendly neighbourhood web bloke to do templates for you

Templates and design really aren't a problem.....I do them as a matter of course.

The reason I was mucking about with a template at all was because the E-commerce package that I was playing with needed to be changed to integrate with the site that I'd built.....It uses a template by default and I changed it to one closer to my base structure, so I'd need minimal changes to my CSS.

It was only when I started uploading my own banners into the directory structure that I started to find the hidden affiliate scheme reg numbers.

It's a huge pyramid marketing enterprise......find a product (plugin or ecommerce template), add your oen affiliate reg numbers, then sit back and let everyone who ever uses them make you your money

 

[DJ GSA]

Templates and design really aren't a problem.....I do them as a matter of course.

The reason I was mucking about with a template at all was because the E-commerce package that I was playing with needed to be changed to integrate with the site that I'd built.....It uses a template by default and I changed it to one closer to my base structure, so I'd need minimal changes to my CSS.

It was only when I started uploading my own banners into the directory structure that I started to find the hidden affiliate scheme reg numbers.

It's a huge pyramid marketing enterprise......find a product (plugin or ecommerce template), add your oen affiliate reg numbers, then sit back and let everyone who ever uses them make you your money

Yeah its a pig isn't it.