All URLs and company names below are examples only.

I have been asked if I can set something up so when someone goes to www.redirect.com they get redirected to www.manufacturer.com and MANUFACTURER not only is aware that the visitor came from REDIRECT but also has a way to track so that REDIRECT gets a commission if someone buys from MANUFACTURER.

I know this kind of thing is very common but I've never actually tried to do it myself. Can someone give me suggestions on how to do this?

My initial thoughts are to have www.redirect.com attach extra info to the www.manufacturer.com URL to show that it came from REDIRECT and to issue a cookie from www.redirect.com that can be tracked by MANUFACTURER.

I also am aware that such urls are forbidden on this forum. (well, I thought they were, now I can't find any rule that says so) I would be interested in opinions of whether this is considered to be shady business practice or not. I will not do it if it is in any way unethical.

Isn't it an affiliate script you are looking for ?

If so there is a pretty good one here :

http://www.webradev.com/

That's the term! Thank you. I knew I had seen it discussed but forgot what the term was so had a hard time searching the forum.

Check on HotScripts.com for an affiliate program, there are a lot there. Also are you using a shopping cart? a lot of e-commerce stores now have affiliate programs integrated.

Thanks wbpro. I just re-read your post and now I see what you are saying about the e-commerce stores.

I still have to find out a lot more details but now I have something to look for if and when I speak with the manufactuer.

You should also look at OsCommerce, which is free and you have a major support.