# Amazon Associates setup — Court Ready Coaches This site’s Coach Essentials page (`gear.html`) uses **placeholder** Associate links with the tag `albeeelite-20`. **Abe is not claimed to be approved** for Amazon Associates. Follow the steps below, then replace the placeholder only after Amazon approves your account and you have a Store ID. ## 1. Join Amazon Associates 1. Go to [https://associates.amazon.com](https://associates.amazon.com) (US Associates Central). 2. Sign in with the Amazon account you want tied to Court Ready Coaches / Albee Elite. 3. Complete the application: site URL(s) (`courtreadycoaching.com` / `courtreadycoaches.com`), description of Court Ready Coaches (youth basketball coaching packages + curated gear), and how you plan to use links. 4. Wait for Amazon’s decision email. Approval is **not** automatic and can take time. Do not publish live tracking tags until you are approved. ## 2. Get your Store ID (tracking ID) 1. After approval, open Associates Central → **Account settings** / **Tracking IDs** (labels vary slightly by UI). 2. Note your primary **Store ID** (often looks like `yoursite-20`). 3. Optionally create a dedicated tracking ID for Court Ready Coaches gear pages (e.g. `courtready-20`) so reporting stays clean. ## 3. Replace `YOURTAG` on this site **One place to edit** on `gear.html`: ```js const AMAZON_TAG = 'albeeelite-20'; // Replace with your Associates Store ID, e.g. courtready-20 ``` Also update the matching attribute if you keep them in sync: ```html ``` The small script at the bottom of `gear.html` rewrites every `.gear-link` to: - Product: `https://www.amazon.com/dp/ASIN/?tag=YOURSTOREID` - Search: `https://www.amazon.com/s?k=...&tag=YOURSTOREID` Fallback hrefs in the HTML already contain `albeeelite-20` so links work before JS runs; after you change `AMAZON_TAG` / `data-amazon-tag`, reload and confirm the tag in each link. ## 4. Disclosure rules (required) Amazon and FTC expect clear disclosure near affiliate links: - On `gear.html` the page already includes: **“As an Amazon Associate, Court Ready Coaches earns from qualifying purchases.”** - Keep that wording (or an equally clear equivalent) visible near the product list and in the footer. - Do not hide disclosure in tiny/unreadable text or only in a distant policy page. - Do not claim products are “endorsed” by Amazon. - Follow current [Amazon Associates Operating Agreement / Program Policies](https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/agreement) for link format, cookie/attribution windows, prohibited claims, and trademark use. ## 5. Link hygiene tips - Prefer **SiteStripe** or Associates link tools after approval to generate official tagged URLs. - ASINs on `gear.html` were chosen as plausible, publicly listed products; re-check they still resolve after approval. Where listings churn (markers, bags, pumps), the page uses **search links** instead of inventing ASINs. - If Amazon rejects or suspends the account, remove or untag affiliate links until reinstated. ## 6. Redeploy After replacing the tag, redeploy the static site when you are ready (see `DEPLOY.md`). Redeploy is **not** required for this initial placeholder commit. --- **Reminder:** Placeholder `albeeelite-20` means tracking is not live. Replace it only after Associates approval and your real Store ID are in hand.