EP Tracking

EP Tracking is a built-in link shortener with analytics. Create short tracked URLs that redirect to any destination, log every click with referrer and timestamp, and optionally attribute conversions. Designed for use inside EP Suite: campaign tracking, affiliate coordination, outbound link analysis.

Published by ElmsPark Studio.

Overview

• Short tracked URLs at /go/<slug> (configurable path).
• Click logging with IP, user-agent, referrer, timestamp (anonymised per GDPR defaults).
• Destination override — change where a link points without changing the short URL. Good for campaigns that evolve.
• Expiry dates on links.
• Password protection on links (the URL works, but the click page prompts for a password before redirecting).
• Conversion attribution — tie subsequent orders or signups to the click that brought the visitor.

Status

Version 0.1.1 — core tracking works, some analytics views still basic.

Requirements

• PageMotor 0.8.2b or later
• EP Suite base class

Installation

1. Download ep-tracking.zip from the EP Suite downloads page.
2. Upload via Plugins → Manage Plugins. Activate.

Creating a tracked link

From Plugin Settings → EP Tracking → Links:

1. Click Add Link.
2. Slug: short identifier (e.g. spring-sale). Default path becomes /go/spring-sale.
3. Destination URL: where to redirect.
4. Description: internal note.
5. Expiry: optional date after which the link stops working.
6. Password: optional.
7. Save.

Share https://yoursite.com/go/spring-sale anywhere. Every click is tracked.

Analytics dashboard

Per-link analytics:

• Total clicks over all time.
• Clicks over time chart.
• Top referrers — where clicks come from.
• Device / browser breakdown.
• Conversions attributed (if the visitor later bought something on the site).

Compare links side-by-side to see which campaigns performed.

Changing the destination

A key use case: you share a tracked link in an email, later decide the destination needs to change (post moved, product sold out, etc.). Edit the link’s destination — the short URL keeps working, just goes somewhere new. Historic analytics remain.

Conversion attribution

When a visitor clicks a tracked link, a cookie is set. Later, if they complete a purchase (EP Ecommerce) or booking (EP Booking), the conversion is attributed to the click. Visible in the link’s analytics view.

Cookie duration is configurable. Default 30 days.

Password protection

Password-protected links:

• URL still works, anyone can visit.
• Before the redirect, a page prompts for the password.
• Only after correct password does the redirect happen.

Useful for semi-private links — share with a specific group, don’t trust them not to share further, but raise the bar.

Troubleshooting

“Click doesn’t redirect”

Check the destination URL is valid and not empty. Also check expiry hasn’t passed.

“No analytics data despite people clicking”

Check the EP Tracking endpoint is reachable. Try clicking the link yourself and verify the click appears in the analytics.

“Conversion attribution doesn’t work”

The visitor’s browser must accept cookies. Private browsing modes sometimes don’t. Also the attribution cookie is per-domain — if your tracked link redirects to a different domain, conversions there aren’t tracked.

“Short URLs clash with other plugin URLs”

The default path prefix /go/ can be changed in settings. Pick something that doesn’t collide with your site’s content structure.

Feedback and corrections

For a quick question about this plugin, EP Support inside your admin is the fastest option. The chat widget sits on every EP plugin settings page and knows which one you’re on, with starter questions and links preloaded for that exact screen.

For anything bigger — a bug report, a feature request, or a “how do I…” that needs a real reply — open a ticket at help.elmspark.com. A real person, helped by AI, writes the reply. Usually within a few hours. Tickets don’t disappear into the void.