Links (URLs) & Checkout Pages

Several URL types are available in the Cleverbridge platform. Learn more about the different link types and their characteristics below:

URL Types

Depending on your use case, create one of the following URL types:

Destination URL (URL)

In the Cleverbridge platform, destination URLs are checkout page links in which all parameters are visible and unprotected. Destination URLs are generic and, therefore, can be used by any user.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Can be easily built and deconstructed in the Commerce Assistant. Can be manually built.

Are not protected, and all parameters can be seen and altered by the customer An individual or business purchasing your product or service by placing an order through Cleverbridge. The customer is the end user of this product, as they are not allowed to resell the purchased products or services. ​ A customer is unique per client. If a customer purchases products or services from two different clients, there are 2 separate records of said customer.​.

Display URL (PURL)

Display URLs are order An agreement between a seller and a buyer to exchange goods and/or services for money. An order can: - contain multiple products and quantities; - have multiple financial transactions. A preorder authorization is considered an order. URLs that you can design and maintain in the Cleverbridge platform for long-term use on your websites. You can set up display URLs using the Saved Links portal in the Commerce Assistant or the MVT Multivariate testing (MVT) is a technique for testing two or more different variables in the checkout process to determine which variable creates more revenue or a higher conversion rate. Campaign portal. You can also use Display URLs as the base for Protected URLs, Session URLs, Dynamic Protected URLs.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Can be customized to display specific information, including customer-friendly information. Can be used as a base URL that directs to many other URLs. Can be easily updated at any time. Parameters can be masked and URL can be shortened.	MVT campaigns cannot be generated spontaneously. There is no API for the creation of display URLs.

Use Cases

• Launch an MVT campaign using URL candidates from specific customer audiences. For example, test order page behavior using opt-in vs. opt-out with set prices for a specific region. One link will display on your website for that particular campaign which will select different candidates who have different criteria.
• Create an MVT campaign using URL candidates that define the customer audience using different recommendation parameters with different weights, which systematically route traffic.
• As a new client, you want to take shopping URLs online and maintain a small list of URLs (e.g. 50). In the Saved Links area, links can be customized, easily activated and deactivated, and converted to MVT campaigns.

Protected URL (UURL)

Protected URLs mask parameters such as dynamic products, confidential products, and customer profile data. You can set up protected URLs in the Link Generator in the Commerce Assistant, or you can use the URL Generator API Guide.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Can be limited to a pre-determined number of orders. Can expire after a pre-determined time period.	Are not intended to be used in large quantities. If you plan on creating more than 10,000, you should opt for a different URL type, such a session URLs (SURLs) or dynamic protected URLs (dynamic UURLs).

Use Cases

• Generate 100 URLs that expire on a particular date (Black Friday weekend). They will be available to your customers for a limited time only therefore ensuring an increase in short-term sales.
• Send a newsletter with a limited-time offer as incentive. It increases customer base loyalty and attracts new customers.

Session URL (SURL)

Session URLs mask parameters such as dynamic products, confidential products, and customer profile data. They are limited to one user and can be used only once, regardless of whether or not the user completes the purchase An order made by a customer and the records associated with it.. If the URL is not used, it will auto-expire after 72 hours.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Are generated using a database that is always available and does not have to be cached. There is no need to update any other servers because the database expunges any data older than 72 hours. Support single sign-on (SSO) and pre-populated checkout processes.	Are not suitable for newsletters or email campaigns because of the 72-hour time frame. After all, you cannot be sure that customers will use the link during this period. Are only generated for one customer and one order. Can cause high server traffic. Can be created only by using an API.

Use Cases

• Use dynamic products while ensuring customers don't see related details in the URLs.
• Use an API to generate the SURLs "on-demand" during the online order process.
• Use single sign-on (SSO).
• Pre-populate the checkout process using your CRM system in combination with the URL Generator API Guide and previously collected customer data. These URLs are generated only upon request and use a script that you develop.

Dynamic Protected URL (Dynamic UURL)

Dynamic Protected URLs are unique order URLs with client-specific, configurable conditions. They are meant for a purchase in a specific time frame and can be used only for a defined number of purchases. As a result, dynamic protected URLs combine the configurable parameters of a session URL and the time frame definition of a protected URL.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Have the configurable parameters of a session URL. Have the time frame definition of a protected URL. Can be used for over 10,000 links. No need to pre-announce URLs with additional API calls to cleverbridge.	Parameters in the URLs are readable by customers.

Use Cases

• Create 10,000 customized URLs for a promotional campaign. After the campaign is over, the URLs expire on the set-up date.
• Create URLs for an unlimited number of orders that have a scheduled expiration date.
• Test or set up different designs for different web pages. For example, you may want to have different displays for different regions.
• Send a URL, with dynamic price parameters, and one or more of the following properties:
  • The URL should be protected. However, each parameter should not be protected separately.
  • The URL should expire in 1 month.
  • The URL should to be valid for one transaction only.
  • The URL should be valid for a particular customer.
  • The URL should pre-populate the customer's data using SSO. For more information about this property, contact Client Experience.

 

Quick Facts about URLs

Characteristics	Destination URLs	Display URLs	Protected URLs	Session URLs	Dynamic Protected URLs
Created using CA	X	X	X
Created using an API			X	X	X
Suitable for more than 10,000 URLs				X	X
One URL for many customers	X	X	X		X
URL parameters are masked		X	X	X
Time-frame-dependent URLs			X (as determined in the Link generator)	X (72 hours)	X
Can be used in MVT campaigns		X	X	X	X