This is part of the Semicolon&Sons Code Diary - consisting of lessons learned on the job. You're in the web-development category.
Last Updated: 2024-04-26
I sent an mailing list broadcast with an email provider called SendInBlue. The email included a link to my website. The next day, multiple people complained that the link was broken. I had no idea why, since my website had full uptime and no exceptions.
In fact, SendInBlue, the mail provider, automatically wrapped the link in a middleman redirect to their servers, in order to track clicks. But as a result, I inherited their downtime - i.e. their servers were unable to dish out the redirect fast enough when some of my mailing list clicked.
Be careful when using third-party tracking links in email campaigns. If they fail, then people cannot click the links in your email at all and you'll lose sales.
Indeed this lesson goes further: ensure your integration with another party cannot take down your website.