How to use the link builder tool

This article is part of the Link Tracking Manual. If you'd like to know more about what to do with a tracked link then the Link Tracking Manual is a good place to start.

 

The link builder tool is a web form that helps you add tracking to a link. This article is a step by step guide showing you how to use the tool.

Before we get started, if you need to request an update to the tool please contact the Web Content Officer in central marketing. Updates you might need include adding a new item to one of the dropdown fields.

This is where to find the tool

The Link Builder tool lives in the tools section of the WebTeam's blog. -> use the Link Builder.

update for 2024 - dropdown lists out of date

Please note, as of 2024 the drop downs are slightly out of date. We now use a number of sources that are not included in the list. Simply choose another source from the list and then manually change the source after you've created the link (pasting the link into Notepad is a quick way to make the change)

Also, the form mentions MaxEmail which is not in use - still answer yes if you're creating a link for an email.

The Web Team and Digital Content Team (DCT) are aware of these issues.

Please keep a record of your own tracked links, don't send to Nathan

There is no longer a need to send your tracked links to Nathan. You now need to maintain your own list of tracked links. Please speak to the DCT if you have any questions about how to do this.

How to use the Link Builder

You should be presented with a page that looks like this:

For this guide leave the MaxEmail question to no. If you’re building a link for use in MaxEmail then please see the Email Comms and MaxEmail guides. 

The first question asks where will the link be shown. This will fill out the medium field and the answers can be seen below:

In the next question “Who will this be shown to (which list)?” please select the audience you will be sending to. Some examples include:

facebook	whatuni
twitter	studentroom

Here’s a screenshot showing the dropdown list:

If the audience of your campaign isn’t included in the dropdown then please contact the CRM team in Central Marketing. 

Finally, enter your campaign name. For example:

• opendays-june17-whatuni-profile
• clearing17-tsr-email-architect
• studyfair17-20nov-current-int 

As mentioned above, campaign names must be unique. 

The Link Tool will generate the tracking information at the bottom of the page.

The Campaign Content field is optional. The University mainly uses that field when split testing advertising creative.

What to do with a tracked link

After you’ve created a tracked link it is important that you notify the CRM team in Central Marketing. This is so they can add your tracking into Achiever (our CRM) which in turn will allow you to request a report for your campaign.

Once you have created your tracked link you can then use it in your chosen location. Which might be an ad on a website, or a link in an email etc.