SEO & Marketing
AffiliateWP – External Referral Links
AffiliateWP External Referral Links is a companion plugin for promoting products or services from a separate WordPress site while tracking commissions on the main site where AffiliateWP and the transaction system are installed. It stores the affiliate identifier in a browser cookie and appends it to outbound links leading to the primary site.
PluginNest file-validatedRecently addedUpdated Sep 7, 2021
Overview
This add-on fits a two-site setup: a WordPress landing-page or content site handles promotion, while a separate WordPress installation contains AffiliateWP and the connected e-commerce or membership system. When a visitor arrives at the external site with an affiliate identifier such as `?ref=123`, the plugin stores that identifier in a cookie and carries it into links pointing to the primary site. AffiliateWP can then process the eventual transaction on the primary installation. The arrangement is useful when a marketing site should remain separate from the store or membership site, but it adds configuration points that should be tested carefully. The primary site URL and protocol need to be entered correctly, and referral links must use the supported non-pretty format. External-site visits are not recorded as AffiliateWP visit entries; tracking begins after the visitor reaches the site where AffiliateWP is installed. Before launch, test links through menus, buttons, internal page navigation, cookie expiration, redirects, caching, and the complete checkout flow on staging.
Stores an affiliate ID or username from an incoming referral URL in a browser cookie.
Carries the stored affiliate identifier into outbound links from the external WordPress site to the primary site.
Supports promotion of a separate WordPress landing page or marketing site while transactions remain on the AffiliateWP site.
Allows administrators to configure the primary site URL and referral-cookie expiration in the external site's settings.
Supports referral links using the non-pretty format, such as `/?ref=123` or `/?ref=john`.
Can be used without installing AffiliateWP on the external site; AffiliateWP remains installed on the primary transaction site.
Does not create an AffiliateWP visit entry until the visitor reaches the primary site.
Compatibility and setup context
- Requires a separate WordPress installation for the external marketing site and a primary WordPress site running AffiliateWP.
- The primary site should contain AffiliateWP and the connected e-commerce or membership integration that processes transactions.
- The official WordPress.org listing states WordPress 5.2 or higher and PHP 7.4 or higher; verify these requirements against the current release and hosting environment before deployment.
- The external-site configuration must use the exact primary-site URL and matching HTTP or HTTPS protocol to reduce tracking problems.
- Pretty affiliate URLs are not supported by this add-on; test the site's configured referral variable and link format on staging.
- Cookie behavior, redirects, caching, consent tools, and cross-domain navigation should be tested in the intended browser and hosting setup.
Editorial research
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- The add-on stores an affiliate ID or username from a referral URL in a cookie and passes it to outbound links leading to the primary site.
- AffiliateWP and the transaction system are installed on the primary site, while the External Referral Links add-on is installed on the separate external WordPress site.
- The add-on supports non-pretty referral links and does not record visits on the external site.
- The external site's settings include the primary Site URL and Cookie Expiry configuration, and the protocol should match between the two sites.
- The official WordPress.org listing describes the plugin as working with a separate-domain landing page and reports WordPress 5.2 or higher and PHP 7.4 or higher in its technical details.
- The WordPress.org listing documents installation on the external site and configuration under Settings → External Referral Links.
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Product preview
A closer look at AffiliateWP – External Referral Links
Version 1.0.2
Product Details
Version
1.0.2
Last Updated
Sep 7, 2021
File Size
0.0 MB
License
GPL
PluginNest is not affiliated with the original product developer. Product names and marks belong to their owners. Products are listed as GPL-distributed software with no official license keys or official vendor support included. Security claims are shown only after a real PluginNest file review is recorded.