PHP Page Counter Then Redirect User to Different URL
Hi All,
I need to run some tests to make sure a banner ad is tracking properly. I'd like to set up a page that, if visited, writes to a file and then redirects the user to a new URL (without the user noticing anything). I have this php file:
counter.php
<?
header( "HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently" );
header( "Status: 301 Moved Permanently" );
header( "Location: http://www.domain.com/" );
exit(0); // This is Optional but suggested, to avoid any accidental output
?>
<?php
$filename='count.txt';
/*script for reading the text file*/
$line=file($filename);
/*script for adding 1 to the file*/
$fp=fopen($filename,'w+');
fwrite($fp,($line[0]+1));
fclose($fp);
?>
--------------------------
And a file called "count.txt" to write to in the same directory as the count.php file (with permissions set properly). When I type in the URL of count.php it redirects properly to domain.com, but the text file always shows "1". It doesn't seem to increase the count. This has to be something terribly stupid on my part.
Might anyone have an idea on how I can remedy this and get it to work right? I just need to see a simple page view count in the text file for comparison purposes.
Many thanks!!
I need to run some tests to make sure a banner ad is tracking properly. I'd like to set up a page that, if visited, writes to a file and then redirects the user to a new URL (without the user noticing anything). I have this php file:
counter.php
<?
header( "HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently" );
header( "Status: 301 Moved Permanently" );
header( "Location: http://www.domain.com/" );
exit(0); // This is Optional but suggested, to avoid any accidental output
?>
<?php
$filename='count.txt';
/*script for reading the text file*/
$line=file($filename);
/*script for adding 1 to the file*/
$fp=fopen($filename,'w+');
fwrite($fp,($line[0]+1));
fclose($fp);
?>
--------------------------
And a file called "count.txt" to write to in the same directory as the count.php file (with permissions set properly). When I type in the URL of count.php it redirects properly to domain.com, but the text file always shows "1". It doesn't seem to increase the count. This has to be something terribly stupid on my part.
Might anyone have an idea on how I can remedy this and get it to work right? I just need to see a simple page view count in the text file for comparison purposes.
Many thanks!!
PranjalShah
Do the redirection after you add the counter to the txt file.
ASKER
Hi PranjalShah,
I thought of that too, and tried moving the redirect down, but then I get an error on the page: Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by
Is there another way to do a redirect that won't break the page? This is the only way I know to set it up.
Thank you for responding!!
I thought of that too, and tried moving the redirect down, but then I get an error on the page: Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by
Is there another way to do a redirect that won't break the page? This is the only way I know to set it up.
Thank you for responding!!
Other way is you can do the counter on the http://www.domain.com page itself. You can check the referrer for that page. If the $_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER'] is your first page than do the counter.
ASKER
Well, unfortunately in my case domain.com is the advertiser's website, so I have no control over it. I have to try and get it to work before I get the user to the advertisers site.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Here is one more example. You can do the counter and then place this code in your script.
http://www.web-source.net/javascript_redirect.htm
http://www.web-source.net/javascript_redirect.htm
ASKER
Ah, very cool. I will take a look at this...
ASKER
Brilliant! Worked like a charm!
ASKER
Thanks for your help!!