Some very useful variables for tracking “thingies” in Google Analytics, AdWords, and 3rd party affiliate software. The best place to start is to figure out exactly how you want to measure your various programs.

Just One Example:

let’s say you charge $10 in shipping but have already accounted for things in another area and you have already padded the shipping a bit for admin costs. Let’s say you also account for your coupons and such on the whole for the month and add in the discount later

• You sold a product for $100 via AdWords. Hooray!
• Your cost from the vendor was $50. Classic keystone even in a craptastic economy! Hooray x2.
• It cost you $10 in AdWords clicks in order to finally convert a particular keyword.
• You pay back the vendor $50, you pay AdWords $10 and you pocket $40 bucks.

Using %%ORDER_SUBTOTAL_DISCOUNTED%% we can tell how successful just the AdWords program is. At the end of the month you run a report and come up with a solid your base ROI. Then take that number and subtract all the “free” stuff (e.g. coupons, free shipping) you gave away regarding “that” product. There’s your bottom line – with the help of BigCommerce’s variables of course.

Tracking Variables

%%ORDER_AMOUNT%% – The order total in dollars/cents.

We use this in various AdWords tracking programs based on client requirements. Just remember, this will capture the entire amount (e.g. coupons, shipping, tax)

%%ORDER_SUBTOTAL%%

The order subtotal in dollars/cents. This will give you a better handle on your ROI.

%%ORDER_SUBTOTAL_DISCOUNTED%%

The order subtotal minus coupon and other discount amounts. Another valuable tracking method. One of the most valuable for tracking.

%%ORDER_ID%%

The order ID. Pretty mandatory in most tracking programs so you can obviously account for order numbers and statistics.