Choosing affiliate programs by Tash Hughes of
Word
Constructions
Becoming an
affiliate for retailers is an easy process, and can be
profitable with some effort.
However, there
is a wide range of affiliate opportunities available now
and it is not always easy to determine which program, or
programs, suit you best.
Some factors to
consider when selecting affiliate programs include:
6 Will the product
interest your existing customers? Obviously, this only
applies if you are blending an affiliate program into an
existing business. For a new, affiliate based business
it is worth choosing a theme of some sort to promote
effectively.
6
How many products are
available from the retailer?
6
Do you believe in the
products? If you can genuinely recommend them in reviews
and the like, you will be more success than just listing
them
6
What is the commission?
It can range from 1.5% to 25% or maybe more. Don’t
forget to relate percentages to item prices when making
comparisons.
6
How many of the items
are realistically going to sell? You should be able to
sell a lot of five dollar pen sets, but a $10,000
computer package will attract fewer buyers.
6
How often do they pay
you?
6
Are commissions
withheld until you reach a minimum range? What happens
when you don’t reach that minimum? In most cases, the
commissions will roll over until the total reaches the
minimum or above.
6
How do you get paid? By
cheque or into a bank account? What currency do they
use, and are there expenses to you to convert that
currency?
6
Is the item
realistically priced? Overpriced products won’t sell
very well …
6
Do you have choices
between text links and using banners?
6
What support is there?
Do they give you ideas on how to promote your site(s)?
6
Do you get rewarded for
affiliates you attract to their system? If so, how are
the rewards structured?
6
Is the web site you
link to in a different language or currency than your
customers? Will they be confused over dollar values or
the like?
6
Are there contact
details on the site so that you can contact the retailer
if there are problems?
6
Can you easily access
statistics about sales and leads you have generated for
them? How often are they updated?
6
How long do they offer
a cookie for each customer? This affects sales made
after the first visit to the retailer; the longer the
cookie, the better for you.
6
Do they offer other
incentives for you? Such as discounted purchases or
earning commission on your own purchases?
6
Are they a reputable
retailer? Would you trust them with your money as a
customer?
6
Do you want to deal
with individual retailers or with a commission
warehouse? Or would you prefer to judge each on the
products you are looking for?
6
Do you get affiliate
newsletters or updates so you can keep up with changes
and major issues?
Tash Hughes is
the owner of
Word Constructions and is available to solve all
your business writing problems! From letters to
policies, newsletters to web content, Word Constructions
writes all business documents to your style and
satisfaction.
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