Advertiser Setup Guide

Complete guide to creating and configuring advertiser accounts in Tandem Beam. From initial setup to live conversion tracking in 60 minutes or less.

Setup Workflow Overview

1
Create Advertiser
5 min
2
Connect Platforms
20-30 min
3
Deploy Tracking
10-15 min
4
Configure Events
10 min
Go Live
5 min

Total Time: 50-65 minutes from start to finish

Step 1: Create Advertiser Account

An advertiser account represents a single website or business that you're tracking. Each advertiser has its own platform configurations, event settings, and tracking deployment.

1 Navigate to Client Dashboard

From the main dashboard, select your Client (or create a new one if this is your first setup)

2 Click "Add Advertiser"

Look for the green "Add Advertiser" button in the top-right of the client dashboard

3 Fill in Advertiser Details

Required Fields:

  • Name: Business or website name (e.g., "Acme Corporation")
  • Website URL: Full URL including https:// (e.g., "https://acme.com")

Optional Fields:

  • Description: Internal notes about this advertiser
  • Industry: Business category for reporting

4 Save and Continue

Click Create Advertiser. You'll be redirected to the advertiser dashboard.

✅ Success!

Your advertiser account is created. The system automatically configures data storage, API tokens, and tracking infrastructure.

Step 2: Connect Advertising Platforms

Connect the advertising platforms where you run campaigns. This enables automatic conversion tracking and attribution across all your marketing channels.

Complete Platform Integration Guide Available

We have comprehensive step-by-step setup instructions for all 10 supported platforms.

View Platform Integration Guide →

Quick Platform Setup

1 Access Platform Configurations

From advertiser dashboard → Click Platform Configurations in navigation

2 Add Your First Platform

Click Add New Configuration → Select platform from dropdown

Recommended Starting Platforms:

  • B2C/E-commerce: Google Analytics 4 (easiest), Meta, Google Ads
  • B2B: Google Analytics 4 (easiest), LinkedIn, Google Ads
  • Testing Only: DEV+NULL (safe testing without real platforms)

3 Enter Platform Credentials

Each platform requires specific credentials (API tokens, Pixel IDs, etc.)

→ See detailed instructions in Platform Integration Guide

4 Test Connection

Click Test Connection to verify credentials before saving

5 Repeat for Additional Platforms

Connect as many platforms as needed. Tandem Beam sends events to all connected platforms automatically.

Pro Tip: Start with just 1-2 platforms (like GA4 + Meta) to get tracking operational quickly. You can add more platforms anytime without disrupting existing tracking.

Step 3: Deploy Tracking (ClickBeam or SkyBeam)

Choose your tracking method. You can deploy either or both - they work together seamlessly.

ClickBeam

Client-side JavaScript tracking

Best For:

  • • Rich event tracking (button clicks, form interactions)
  • • E-commerce conversion tracking
  • • Custom event parameters
  • • Single-page applications (SPAs)

Deployment:

  1. Click the green Deploy button in advertiser dashboard
  2. Modal opens → Click Start Deployment
  3. Wait for ClickBeam build completion (~30 seconds)
  4. Copy the generated script tag
  5. Add script tag to your website's <head>

CNAME Recommended: Set up a CNAME for better tracking reliability. See setup guide

SkyBeam

Server-side edge tracking

Best For:

  • • Ad-blocker resistant tracking
  • • Passive data collection (no JavaScript needed)
  • • Server-side form submissions
  • • Combining with ClickBeam for complete coverage

Requirements:

  • • Active Cloudflare account
  • • Domain configured in Cloudflare
  • • Cloudflare API token

Deployment:

  1. Configure Cloudflare integration in advertiser settings
  2. Click Deploy button in advertiser dashboard
  3. SkyBeam automatically deploys to Cloudflare (~2 minutes)
  4. Verify green "Active" status indicator

📌 Important: Which Tracking Method?

Use ClickBeam if: You need rich event tracking, custom events, or e-commerce conversion tracking

Use SkyBeam if: You want passive tracking, ad-blocker resistance, or minimal website changes

Use Both (Recommended): Get complete coverage with coordinated session tracking across both methods

Step 4: Configure Event Settings

Event Settings control which events are sent to which platforms. Configure the events you want to track (purchases, leads, contacts, etc.).

1 Navigate to Event Settings

From advertiser dashboard → Click Event Settings in navigation

2 Create Event Configuration

Click Create Event Setting and configure:

Event Name

Choose from: purchase, lead, contact, add_to_cart, sign_up, view_content, initiate_checkout, page_view

Destination Platforms

Select which platforms should receive this event (can select multiple)

Platform-Specific Configuration

Some platforms (Meta, LinkedIn, Google Ads) require additional conversion configuration (Pixel ID, Conversion Rule URN, etc.)

3 Save Event Setting

Click Save. The event is now active and will be sent to selected platforms when triggered.

Common Event Configurations

E-commerce Setup

Track the complete purchase funnel

Events: page_view, view_content, add_to_cart, initiate_checkout, purchase

Lead Generation Setup

Track inquiries and contact forms

Events: page_view, contact, lead

SaaS/Subscription Setup

Track user registrations and conversions

Events: page_view, sign_up, purchase

Step 5: Test Your Setup

Before going live, validate your tracking configuration works correctly.

Testing Options

🧪 Option 1: DEV+NULL Testing Platform (Recommended)

The safest way to test - captures events without sending to real platforms.

  1. Add DEV+NULL platform in Platform Configurations
  2. Create Event Settings pointing to DEV+NULL
  3. Trigger test events on your website
  4. Inspect captured payloads in Attribution Dashboard
  5. Verify data transformations and PII hashing

See DEV+NULL setup guide →

🔬 Option 2: BEAM Test Mode

Add test parameters to URLs to trigger special test handling.

https://yoursite.com?beam-test=true&gclid=test_12345

See BEAM Test Mode guide →

✅ Option 3: Platform Test/Debug Modes

Use platform-specific test features to validate without affecting campaign data.

  • Meta: Test event codes in platform configuration
  • GA4: Debug endpoint automatically used for testing
  • TikTok: Test event codes supported
  • LinkedIn: Sandbox environment available

Verification Checklist

Events appear in Attribution Dashboard within 1-2 minutes

Platform status shows "Processing Enabled" with green indicator

Events deliver to platforms (check platform UI like Meta Events Manager)

PII is properly hashed (check Intelligence Dashboard for hashed values)

Click IDs are captured correctly (fbclid, gclid, li_fat_id, etc.)

Go Live Checklist

Before enabling production conversion tracking, verify all components are configured correctly.

✅ Configuration Checklist

Advertiser account created

At least 1 platform configured and tested

ClickBeam or SkyBeam deployed to website

Event Settings created for key conversion events

Test events appear in Attribution Dashboard

Events delivered to platform UIs verified

⚠️ Pre-Launch Validation

Remove DEV+NULL from Event Settings before production

Disable platform test codes (Meta test_event_code, etc.)

Verify production credentials (not sandbox/test tokens)

Monitor first 24 hours for delivery errors or rate limiting

Common Setup Patterns

E-commerce Store

Platforms: GA4, Meta, Google Ads

Events: page_view, view_content, add_to_cart, initiate_checkout, purchase

Tracking: ClickBeam (for cart interactions)

Setup Time: ~60 minutes

B2B Lead Generation

Platforms: GA4, LinkedIn, Google Ads

Events: page_view, contact, lead

Tracking: SkyBeam + ClickBeam (complete coverage)

Setup Time: ~70 minutes

SaaS/Subscription

Platforms: GA4, Meta, LinkedIn, Google Ads

Events: page_view, sign_up, purchase (subscription)

Tracking: ClickBeam (for signup flows)

Setup Time: ~65 minutes

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"No events appearing in Attribution Dashboard"

Check:

  • ClickBeam script is installed on website (check page source)
  • SkyBeam status shows "Active" (if using SkyBeam)
  • Event Settings exist for the events you're testing
  • Platform configurations have "Processing Enabled" toggle ON
  • Wait 2-3 minutes after triggering event (processing delay)
"Events in dashboard but not reaching platforms"

Check:

  • Platform Test Connection status is green "Connected"
  • Event Settings include the platform as a destination
  • Platform-specific conversion configuration (Pixel ID, Conversion Rule URN) is correct
  • Platform processing toggle is enabled (not paused)
  • Check Intelligence Dashboard for error messages
"Platform connection test fails"

Solutions:

  • Verify credentials were copied correctly (no extra spaces)
  • Check token hasn't expired or been revoked in platform
  • Ensure sufficient permissions on platform account
  • Try regenerating credentials in platform UI
  • See platform-specific troubleshooting in Platform Integration Guide
"ClickBeam script not loading on website"

Check:

  • Script tag is in <head> section (not body)
  • Script URL is correct (check for HTTPS)
  • No JavaScript errors in browser console
  • Check browser Network tab for failed requests
  • Verify deployment completed successfully (check deployment modal results)
"SkyBeam deployment fails"

Common causes:

  • Cloudflare API token invalid or insufficient permissions
  • Domain not configured in Cloudflare account
  • Cloudflare Workers plan not active ($5/month required)
  • Worker limit reached (check Cloudflare dashboard)

See SkyBeam Deployment Guide

Best Practices

✅ Do

  • Start with 1-2 platforms and expand gradually
  • Test with DEV+NULL before connecting real platforms
  • Use CNAME for ClickBeam API calls when possible
  • Monitor Attribution Dashboard for first 48 hours
  • Document your platform credentials securely
  • Configure key conversion events first (purchase, lead, contact)
  • Verify events in platform UIs (Meta Events Manager, GA4 Realtime, etc.)

❌ Don't

  • Configure all 9 platforms at once (overwhelming)
  • Skip the Test Connection step
  • Use production credentials for testing
  • Deploy to production without testing first
  • Mix up credentials between different advertisers
  • Forget to remove DEV+NULL from production Event Settings
  • Share access tokens in emails or screenshots

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create multiple advertisers under one client?

Yes! Clients can have unlimited advertisers. This is perfect for agencies managing multiple client websites or businesses with multiple brands/domains. Each advertiser has completely isolated tracking, platforms, and event settings.

Do I need to configure platforms before deploying tracking?

No, the order is flexible. You can deploy ClickBeam/SkyBeam first and add platforms later, or configure platforms first and deploy tracking after. Events will only be sent to platforms after both are configured and Event Settings are created.

What happens if I delete an advertiser?

Deleting an advertiser removes all associated data including platform configurations, event settings, and historical tracking data. This action cannot be undone. We recommend disabling tracking instead of deletion if you might need the data later.

Can I use the same platform credentials for multiple advertisers?

Technically yes, but not recommended. Each advertiser should use unique platform credentials (different Pixel IDs, Measurement IDs, etc.) for proper attribution and campaign separation. Reusing credentials can cause attribution confusion and data mixing.

How long does deployment take?

ClickBeam: 30-60 seconds (build + script generation)
SkyBeam: 2-5 minutes (Cloudflare worker deployment)
Both can be deployed simultaneously through the Deploy button.

What's the difference between advertiser and client?

Client: Top-level organization (e.g., your agency or company)
Advertiser: Individual website or business being tracked (e.g., specific client's website)

Structure: Client → Advertisers → Platform Configurations → Event Settings

Can I pause tracking temporarily without deleting everything?

Yes! Use the "Processing Enabled" toggle on each platform configuration. When disabled, Tandem Beam stops sending events to that platform while preserving all configurations. You can re-enable anytime without reconfiguring.

Ready to Set Up Your Advertiser?

You now have everything you need to create and configure a fully operational advertiser account with conversion tracking across all major advertising platforms.