> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://clickflare.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Common Beginner Mistakes

> Avoid the most common setup errors when getting started with ClickFlare

## TL;DR

Most issues new users encounter in ClickFlare are not bugs — they’re setup or expectation mismatches.

This article highlights the **most common beginner mistakes**, explains why they happen, and shows how to avoid them before wasting traffic or time.

***

## Mistake #1: Not Using a Custom Tracking Domain

Using the default dedicated domain for live traffic is one of the most common mistakes.

Why this is a problem:

* Dedicated domains may be shared with other users
* Shared domains can get flagged due to external activity
* This can impact tracking reliability and ad approval

**Best practice:**
Set up and use your **own custom tracking domain** before sending live traffic.

***

## Mistake #2: Expecting Clicks Without a Landing Page

Some users expect Clicks to be registered as soon as traffic reaches the offer.

This is not how ClickFlare works.

* A **Visit** is registered when the campaign tracking URL is opened (Ad click)
* A **Click** is registered only when a user clicks a **ClickFlare click URL** from a landing page to the offer

If your campaign does not use a landing page:

* Clicks will remain at zero
* This is expected behavior

***

## Mistake #3: Linking Directly to the Offer Instead of the Click URL

When using a landing page, the CTA must point to the **ClickFlare click URL**, not directly to the offer.

The ClickFlare click URL follows this structure:

```
https://your-tracking-domain.com/cf/click/1
```

If the CTA links directly to the offer:

* No Click will be registered
* Attribution may still work, but engagement data will be missing

**Always verify** that your CTA uses the ClickFlare click URL.

***

## Mistake #4: Sending Paid Traffic Before Testing

Launching campaigns without testing is one of the fastest ways to waste budget.

Common consequences:

* Visits track, but Clicks or Conversions don’t
* Parameters are missing
* Conversion attribution fails

**Best practice:**
Always manually test:

1. The campaign tracking URL (Visit)
2. The Click URL (Click)
3. The conversion trigger (Conversion)

Only send paid traffic after all three behave as expected.

***

## Mistake #5: Comparing Data Using the Wrong Timestamp

ClickFlare allows you to report conversions using:

* **Visit Timestamp** (when the click happened)
* **Postback Timestamp** (when the conversion happened)

Affiliate networks and ad platforms usually report conversions by **conversion time**, not click time.

If timestamps don’t match:

* Reports will appear inconsistent
* Conversions may look “missing”

Make sure you’re comparing reports using the same timestamp logic.

***

## Mistake #6: Assuming Conversion Tracking Is Automatic

ClickFlare does **not automatically know** when a conversion happens.

A conversion must be **explicitly reported to ClickFlare** using one of the supported methods.

Conversions can be registered in ClickFlare via:

* **Postback**
  *(Most common and recommended when available)*
* **Image pixel**
  *(Client-side equivalent of a postback)*
* **Conversion tracking script**
  *(Implemented on a thank-you page; registers a conversion when the page loads)*
* **API integration**
  *(ClickFlare pulls conversions and revenue directly from an external platform via API, when an integration is available)*
* **Manual conversion upload**
  *(Used for offline conversions or conversions that were missed)*

If no conversion data is sent or pulled using one of these methods:

* ClickFlare cannot register a Conversion
* Reports will show Visits and Clicks only

***

## Mistake #7: Overcomplicating the First Campaign

New users often try to:

* Add multiple offers
* Enable advanced routing
* Configure optimization rules immediately

This makes troubleshooting harder.

**Best practice:**
Start with:

* One traffic source
* One landing page (optional)
* One offer
* One conversion

Once the basics work, scale complexity gradually.

***

## Mistake #8: Ignoring Reporting During the First Traffic Run

The first traffic run is when most issues appear.

Common mistakes:

* Letting traffic run without monitoring
* Not checking Visits vs Clicks vs Conversions
* Ignoring early warning signs

**Best practice:**
Monitor reports closely during the first traffic burst and stop traffic immediately if data doesn’t behave as expected.

***

## Summary

Most beginner issues in ClickFlare come from:

* Misunderstanding Visits, Clicks, and Conversions
* Incorrect link usage
* Skipping testing
* Comparing the wrong data

Avoiding these mistakes will save time, budget, and frustration.

## Related Resources

* First-Time Setup Checklist
* Create Your First Redirect Campaign
* How to Test a Campaign Before Sending Traffic
* Key Concepts & Terminology