> ## 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.

# How to Test a Campaign Before Sending Traffic

> Verify your ClickFlare setup before spending money on ads

## TL;DR

Before sending paid traffic, you should always test your ClickFlare campaign manually.

A proper test confirms that:

* Visits are being registered
* Clicks are tracked correctly (if applicable)
* Conversions are attributed as expected

This prevents wasted spend and avoids common setup mistakes.

***

## Why Testing Is Critical

Many tracking issues are not caused by bugs, but by:

* Missing parameters
* Incorrect URLs
* Scripts not firing
* Wrong expectations about Visits, Clicks, or Conversions

Testing ensures that your campaign works **end to end** before real users enter the funnel.

***

## What You Should Understand Before Testing

ClickFlare tracks **three main events**:

* **Visit** – when the ClickFlare campaign URL is opened
* **Click** – registered when a user clicks a **ClickFlare click URL** from a landing page to the offer
* **Conversion** – when a conversion event is received

📌 A **Click** is only registered when:

* A landing page is used **and**
* The call-to-action (CTA) on the landing page points to the **ClickFlare click URL**, which follows this structure:

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

When a user clicks this ClickFlare click URL, ClickFlare records a **Click** and then forwards the user to the offer.

Linking directly from the landing page to the offer **will not register a Click**.

📌 Not all campaigns will generate all three events:

* Campaigns without a landing page will not register Clicks
* This is expected behavior and not an error

***

## Step 1: Test the Campaign Tracking URL (Visit)

1. Copy the **ClickFlare campaign URL**
2. Open it in a new browser window or incognito mode
3. Let the page load fully

### What to check

* A **Visit** should appear in ClickFlare logs
* The Visit should be associated with the correct campaign

If no Visit appears:

* The tracking URL is not being reached
* The tracking domain may not be set up correctly

***

## Step 2: Test Landing Page Clicks (If Used)

If your campaign uses a landing page:

1. Open the campaign tracking URL
2. On the landing page, click the CTA or link that leads to the offer
3. Make sure the CTA points to the **ClickFlare click URL**, not directly to the offer

The ClickFlare click URL has the following structure:

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

When this URL is clicked, ClickFlare records a **Click** and then redirects the user to the offer.

### What to check

* A **Click** should appear in ClickFlare
* The Click should be linked to the same Visit

If Visits increase but Clicks do not:

* The CTA may not be using the ClickFlare click URL
* The outgoing link may be misconfigured

***

## Step 3: Test Conversion Tracking

Trigger a test conversion using one of the supported methods:

* Postback
* Script / pixel

### What to check

* A **Conversion** appears in ClickFlare
* The Conversion is tied to the correct Visit or Click
* The conversion name matches your setup

📌 Conversions may occur immediately or long after the Visit — this is normal.

***

## Step 4: Verify Data in Reports

Open the campaign report and verify:

* Visits increase when the tracking URL is opened
* Clicks increase only when the ClickFlare click URL from the Lander to the Offer is clicked
* Conversions appear when the conversion event fires

Default report columns:

* Visits
* Clicks
* Conversions

Make sure you are viewing the correct date range and timestamp type.

***

## Step 5: Check Attribution Logic

Confirm that:

* The conversion is attributed to the correct campaign
* Tracking parameters appear as expected
* Conversion parameters (if used) are populated

If attribution is missing:

* The Click ID may not be passed correctly
* The conversion may not be linked to a Visit

***

## Common Testing Mistakes

* Expecting Clicks without a landing page
* Linking directly to the offer instead of the ClickFlare click URL
* Testing multiple times without clearing cookies
* Using cached browser sessions

***

## When You’re Ready to Go Live

Once all tests pass:

* Add the ClickFlare campaign URL to your traffic source
* Start with low volume
* Monitor reports closely during the first traffic burst

Advanced features such as cost integrations and Conversion APIs can be added later.

***

## Summary

A proper test confirms:

1. Visits are tracked
2. Clicks are registered via the ClickFlare click URL
3. Conversions are attributed correctly

If all three behave as expected, your campaign is ready for traffic.

## Related Resources

* Create Your First Redirect Campaign
* Campaign Types Explained
* Key Concepts & Terminology
* Conversion Tracking Methods Explained