Manual Attribution for Missed Referrals
Recover lost commissions when technical issues or special circumstances prevent automatic tracking of your referrals.
Quick Answer
If someone you referred creates a Heritage Web account without using your tracking link, you can request manual attribution within 30 days. The customer must email [email protected] confirming you referred them, with you CC'd on the email. Heritage Web will verify the request and apply permanent attribution, ensuring you receive your 30% commission on all purchases within their first 12 months.
When Manual Attribution Is Needed
Common Scenarios
Technical Issues
Customer's browser blocked cookies
They cleared cookies before signing up
Ad blockers interfered with tracking
Incognito/private browsing was used
JavaScript was disabled
User Behavior
Used different device than where they clicked
Clicked link on phone, signed up on computer
Created account days later after cookie expired
Went directly to Heritage Web without clicking link
Used a different email than expected
Referral Methods
Verbal referral at conference or meeting
Phone conversation referral
Printed materials without QR code
Email where link wasn't clicked
Social media where link was missed
Special Circumstances
Enterprise bulk sign-ups
Assisted sign-up (you helped them)
Group training or workshop attendees
Offline event conversions
Technical glitches during sign-up
The 30-Day Window
Critical Timeline
Day 0: Customer creates Heritage Web account
Days 1-30: Window for manual attribution request
Day 31+: Too late—no attribution possible
Why 30 Days?
Prevents abuse of the system
Allows reasonable time for discovery
Protects existing attributions
Maintains program integrity
Balances fairness with security
Manual Attribution Process
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Check These Requirements:
Within 30 days of account creation
No existing attribution to another affiliate
Legitimate referral relationship exists
Customer willing to confirm referral
You have customer's contact information
Step 2: Contact the Customer
Ask them to:
Send email to [email protected]
Include you (CC) on the email
Confirm you referred them
Provide them with template:
Subject: Referral Attribution Confirmation
To: [email protected] CC: [your email]
Hello,
I was referred to Heritage Web by [Your Name] ([Your Email]). I created my account on [Date] but the referral tracking may not have worked correctly.
Please attribute my account to [Your Name]'s affiliate account.
Account email: [Customer's Heritage Web email]
Thank you, [Customer Name]
Step 3: Customer Sends Confirmation
The email must:
Come FROM the customer (not you)
Include you as CC recipient
Clearly state you referred them
Include their Heritage Web account email
Be sent within 30-day window
Step 4: Heritage Web Review
Verification process includes:
Confirming account creation date
Checking for existing attribution
Verifying customer identity
Reviewing referral legitimacy
Checking against program terms
Processing time: 3-5 business days
Step 5: Attribution Confirmation
If approved, you'll receive:
Email confirmation of attribution
Customer ID for tracking
Effective date confirmation
Commission activation notice
Attribution becomes:
Permanent for 12 months
Retroactive to account creation
Valid for all purchases
Visible in your dashboard
What Won't Work
Invalid Requests
You Can't Request Alone
Customer must initiate confirmation
You cannot send request on their behalf
Forwarding emails doesn't count
Customer must actively confirm
Outside 30-Day Window
No exceptions to 30-day limit
"Didn't know" isn't valid reason
Technical delays don't extend window
Holiday/weekend days count
Existing Attribution
Cannot override another affiliate's attribution
Last-click attribution is final
No splitting commissions
First valid attribution wins
Questionable Relationships
Must be genuine referral
No buying attributions
No false claims
Heritage Web investigates suspicious requests
Best Practices for Prevention
Primary Prevention
Always share your tracked link first
Follow up with tracked link via email
Use QR codes for in-person events
Create memorable short links for verbal sharing
Test your links regularly
Backup Documentation
Keep records of who you've referred
Note dates of referral conversations
Save correspondence with prospects
Screenshot social media referrals
Document enterprise introductions
Quick Discovery
Monitor your dashboard daily during campaigns
Check within 48 hours of expected sign-ups
Ask customers to confirm they used your link
Set calendar reminders for follow-up
Act immediately if attribution is missing
Special Cases
Enterprise Manual Attribution
Different Process Required:
Contact [email protected] BEFORE referring
Get pre-approval for bulk attribution
Follow special enterprise workflow
Attribution applied during bulk creation
No 30-day limit but must be arranged in advance
Multiple Account Scenarios
If same person/organization creates multiple accounts:
Each account needs separate attribution
Customer must confirm each one
All must be within 30 days
Consider enterprise process for bulk
International Customers
Email can be in any language
Heritage Web may request translation
Same 30-day window applies
Time zones don't extend deadline
Troubleshooting Failed Attributions
Request Denied Reasons
Documentation Issues
Customer email unclear
You weren't CC'd properly
Missing account information
Incomplete request
Solution: Have customer resend with complete information
Timing Problems
Outside 30-day window
Account creation date disputed
Request sent too late
Solution: No recovery possible—prevent future occurrences
Attribution Conflicts
Another affiliate already attributed
Multiple affiliates claiming same referral
Last-click attribution applied
Solution: Accept the outcome—focus on new referrals
Escalation Process
If you believe denial was in error:
Reply to denial email with evidence
Provide additional documentation
Request supervisor review
Accept final decision
Communication Templates
For You to Send to Customer
Hi [Customer Name],
I noticed the referral tracking may not have worked when you signed up for Heritage Web. To ensure I'm credited for referring you, could you please send a quick email to [email protected] confirming I referred you?
Just CC me on the email and mention that I ([Your Name]) referred you to Heritage Web. You'll need to include the email address you used for your Heritage Web account.
This needs to be done within 30 days of when you created your account, so please send it at your earliest convenience.
Thanks! [Your Name]
For Following Up
Hi [Customer Name],
Just a friendly reminder about confirming our referral for Heritage Web. The 30-day window closes on [Date], so please send that confirmation email to [email protected] with me CC'd when you get a chance.
Let me know if you need any help with this!
Best, [Your Name]
FAQs
What if the customer refuses to send confirmation? Without customer confirmation, manual attribution isn't possible. Focus on maintaining good relationships and ensuring future referrals use your tracking link.
Can I offer incentives for confirmation? No. Incentivizing attribution confirmations violates program terms. The confirmation must be genuine and voluntary.
What if I discover a missed referral after 30 days? Unfortunately, no attribution is possible after 30 days. Use this as a learning experience to monitor referrals more closely.
Can Heritage Web make exceptions to the 30-day rule? No. The 30-day window is strict and applies to everyone equally to maintain program integrity.
What if the customer already made purchases? If attribution is approved, you'll receive commission on all purchases from account creation forward, including any already made.
Next Steps
Monitor new referrals closely
Act quickly on missing attributions
Keep customer contact information
Document all referral activity
Use multiple tracking methods
Related Articles
Troubleshooting Missing Referrals and Commissions
Tracking Offline Referrals and In-Person Conversions
Referring Enterprise Clients