Analytics setup

Analytics (GA4 + standard tracking)

Keep marketing analytics consistent while Refer Labs handles attribution and payouts. Validate everything with a repeatable checklist.

Open dashboard

Step 1 - Confirm UTM visibility

Refer Labs referral links include UTM parameters for analytics. Make sure your analytics setup captures them.

Click a referral link in an incognito window.
Confirm the landing URL retains UTM query parameters (no redirect stripping).
Confirm GA4 shows the session with those UTMs (Realtime → Traffic sources).

If you standardize analytics via GTM, follow /gtm.

Step 2 - Keep conversions server-side for attribution

GA4/Ads tracking is for marketing reporting. Refer Labs conversion attribution is based on discount code redemption posting.

Conversion endpoint (authoritative)

POST https://referlabs.com.au/api/discount-codes/redeem
Headers:
  Content-Type: application/json
  x-pepf-discount-secret: <YOUR_SECRET>
Body:
{
  "discountCode": "CODE_USED_AT_CHECKOUT",
  "orderReference": "ORDER-12345",
  "amount": "199.00",
  "metadata": { "platform": "analytics_checklist" }
}

Use Stripe/Shopify native webhook guides when possible; use Zapier/Make/Custom API for long-tail systems.

Recommended checks

GA4 Realtime shows traffic when you click a referral link.
UTMs persist through any redirects/landing pages.
Consent banner doesn’t block essential page loads (but may affect marketing tags).
Ad blockers don’t affect Refer Labs attribution (conversion capture is server-side).

Testing checkpoints (do these in order)

Click a referral link in an incognito window and confirm GA4 Realtime records the session.
Submit the referral form and confirm the signup appears in the Refer Labs dashboard.
Trigger a conversion in the real checkout system (Stripe/Shopify/POS/booking) using the discount code.
Confirm the conversion appears in the dashboard attributed to the correct ambassador.