Best Practices for Shopify & TikTok Shop Affiliate Tracking

Affiliate tracking can get messy fast — especially when you’re working across multiple platforms like Shopify and TikTok Shop. The challenge isn’t just assigning links and codes. It’s making sure the sales actually show up — and get attributed correctly.

Here’s how to set it up right the first time.

1. Use UTM Links for Shopify Tracking

If you're using Shopify, UTM links are your best friend. At a minimum, make sure every creator’s link includes :

• utm_source=creator_name
• utm_medium=affiliate
• utm_campaign=product_or_campaign_name

This allows you to track traffic and conversions inside Shopify analytics, and more accurately tie back performance to individual creators.

Pro tip : Always shorten links with a vanity domain or tool like Bit.ly to keep them clean and clickable.

2. Set Up Discount Codes in Shopify (and Match to Affiliates)

Even with UTM links, some users won’t click — they’ll go direct to your site. To catch those conversions :

• Create unique discount codes for each creator.
• Make sure their code matches their handle or brand.
• Tie each code back to the affiliate profile on your tracking tool.

Growi does this by syncing codes to each affiliate automatically, so even if a user skips the link, the conversion still tracks to the right creator.

3. TikTok Shop: Use the Creator Marketplace or Direct SKU Links

TikTok Shop has its own ecosystem. If you're not using the TikTok Creator Marketplace, you’ll want to :

• Create custom SKUs for each affiliate
• Track conversions using TikTok’s built-in analytics (which can be limited)
• Layer in your own tracking via Growi or another attribution tool

TikTok Shop’s backend isn’t as flexible as Shopify — so always double-check how clicks and conversions are being recorded.

4. Monitor View-Through Conversions

Especially with TikTok, some conversions won’t happen right away. A user sees a video → searches your site a day later → checks out without using a link or code.

To catch that :

• Use a tool that supports view-through attribution
• Correlate traffic spikes with content drops
• Look at multi-touch data, not just last click

Growi tracks both link-based and code-based attribution, and lets you view creator impact across both Shopify and TikTok Shop in one place.

5. Standardize Your Campaign Setup

Creators love clarity. You’ll make tracking easier (and your campaigns run smoother) by setting up :

• A shared doc or portal with their links and codes
• Clear payout terms
• A dashboard or summary view of their performanc
  

With Growi, creators get their own dashboard to see clicks, conversions, and commission tiers — so you don’t have to field dozens of update requests.

TL;DR

If you’re running affiliate campaigns on Shopify or TikTok Shop :

• Use both links and codes
• Monitor beyond last-click
• Choose tools that consolidate performance data

Growi helps brands do just that — with native tracking across both platforms, automated creator dashboards, and support for hybrid payout structures.