Re-directing users: Server side or Client side?

[MortimerJazz]

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Hi there,

At the moment, my affiliate links go through re-direction scripts coded in PHP. I'm currently user "Location" commands, but have heard rumours that that may cause a problem when dropping affiliate cookies.

So I was wondering whether I should switch my code to simply using a regular Meta Refresh.

Can you let me know your thoughts on this please? Which methods are most commonly used in affiliate marketing today?

Cheers,

[tbp]

There should be no problem using the header("Location:") command with cookies. I use it on several of my sites so that I can track clicks on my own site and it works fine.

In the end its only an instruction to the browser to redirect the user, so is the same as a meta refresh.

I know the header method is used on many affiliate sites, so you shouldn't have any problems.

[MortimerJazz]

Thanks tbp - header("Location:") it is then

[mqandy]

Do watch out tho - Chrome (and FF on Linux - anyone?) don't always follow the Location: headers if they have not had a Status: header first.

Apparently the following is the "correct" way to do a redirect in PHP.

header("Status: 301"); # 301 Moved Permanently
header("Location: http://www.full-website-address.com/home.php");
exit;

That said, apart from reports from one visitor, I've never had a problem with just Location: xx.html