Quick Answer
Add UTM parameters to your referral link for detailed campaign tracking: dashboard.heritageweb.com?p=XXXX&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=january_outreach. Your partner ID (?p=XXXX) must always come first.
Overview
UTM parameters help you track exactly where your referrals come from beyond the basic analytics in the Partner Portal. Add these tracking codes to identify which social platforms, email campaigns, or content pieces drive the most signups. Google Analytics and other tools can then provide detailed campaign performance reports.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Start with Your Base Referral Link
Copy your referral link from either of the following locations:
Heritage Web Dashboard → Partners
Partner Portal → Dashboard.
Your base link looks like: dashboard.heritageweb.com?p=XXXX.
Keep the ?p=XXXX parameter intact - this tracks commissions to your account.
Step 2: Add UTM Parameters
Add an ampersand (&) after your partner ID, then add UTM parameters. Common UTM parameters include:
utm_source: Where traffic comes from (linkedin, facebook, newsletter)
utm_medium: Marketing medium (social, email, banner)
utm_campaign: Specific campaign name (spring_2025, webinar_march)
utm_content: Differentiates similar content (button_top, link_sidebar)
utm_term: Paid search keywords (rarely used for referral links)
Step 3: Build Your Complete Link
Combine your base link with UTM parameters. Example for a LinkedIn post: dashboard.heritageweb.com?p=2739&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=january_outreach. Example for email newsletter: dashboard.heritageweb.com?p=2739&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=monthly_digest.
Step 4: Test Your Link
Paste your complete link in a browser to verify it works correctly. Confirm you land on the Heritage Web homepage or intended landing page. Check that the URL still contains your partner ID (?p=XXXX). The page should load normally with all parameters intact.
Step 5: Use Link Shorteners (Optional)
Long UTM links can look cluttered in social posts or emails. Use link shorteners like Bitly or TinyURL to create cleaner links. Ensure the shortener preserves all parameters, including your partner ID. Test the shortened link before sharing widely.
Step 6: Track Performance
Your Partner Portal tracks clicks and signups for all variations of your link. UTM parameters won't appear in Partner Portal reports, but help with external analytics. Use Google Analytics or similar tools to see detailed source/medium/campaign breakdowns. Compare UTM data with Partner Portal stats to optimize campaigns.
Important Notes
Parameter order: Your partner ID (?p=XXXX) must come first, then add UTM parameters with &
Case sensitivity: UTM values are case-sensitive (LinkedIn vs linkedin creates separate reports)
No spaces: Replace spaces with underscores (january_outreach, not january outreach)
Character limits: Keep UTM values short for cleaner URLs and to avoid truncation
Cookie tracking: UTM parameters don't affect the 60-day attribution window
FAQs
Will UTM parameters break my referral tracking? No, as long as your partner ID (?p=XXXX) remains in the URL, commissions track correctly. UTM parameters only add extra tracking data.
Can I see UTM data in the Partner Portal? No, the Partner Portal shows overall clicks and signups. UTM data appears in Google Analytics or your website analytics tool.
What's the best practice for naming campaigns? Use consistent, descriptive names like "2025_q1_linkedin" or "email_january". Avoid special characters except underscores and hyphens.
Do I need all five UTM parameters? No, use only what you need. Source and medium are most important. Content and term are optional.
Can I change UTM parameters for the same campaign? Yes, but it splits your data. Maintain consistent parameters within a campaign for accurate reporting. Create new parameters for new campaigns.
Next Steps
Create a spreadsheet to track your UTM parameter combinations
Set up consistent naming conventions for campaigns
Test each UTM link before launching campaigns
Review performance weekly to identify top-performing sources