The
definition of Affiliate Marketing is eloquently given by one of the world's
leading Affiliate NetworkManagers and Application Service Providers
(ASP), Commission Junction, "Affiliate Marketing is any form of online
advertising or marketing, where the Merchant (the Advertiser) pays for results,
rather than paying to just reach a specific audience. The "Affiliate" (you and
your online business, sometimes called 'partner' 'referrer' or 'associate') promotes
the Merchants products and services on your website, in exchange for commissions
for leads and sales."
The
majority of visitors to our website probably fall under the category of small
business and entrepreneurs, endeavoring to increase income by selling
and/or recommending, services and products of other merchants Whether you are
a beginner or have been established for some time, we cannot emphasize strongly
enough, if you are to be successful and receive adequate rewards, you will need
to undertake some research and study into the techniques of this form of online
marketing, and keep up to date with changing trends.
Our
firm does not claim to be an expert in the area of "Affiliate Programmes
and Internet Marketing" but we have researched and highlighted the best
and most reliable material and "Affiliate Networks" based on the success
of our many clients who have moved into this area of expanding their business
on the Internet.
Two
areas have been highlighted.
Building
up an Internet business,
mainly by linking to numerous merchants or companies and then promoting and marketing
them on your own website is becoming more and more popular, especially with the
wild promises of making a fortune. To accomplish your goal, you become
the Affiliate(Publisher) and the Merchant (Advertiser)
decides if your website is suitable for display of their products or services
to be promoted.
Your business is still expanding and you have aggressively advertised your
products or services through the usual channels, but now you are considering the
opportunity of offering your goods and services to other websites who are involved
in Internet Marketing, for these sites to also publicize your goods
and services. Note that it will not be for the price of buying advertising space,
but purely on a sales-commission or lead basis, which of course
creates a win-win situation for both parties, you as the Merchant
and your Affiliate
Setting Up & Building an Internet Marketing Business and Becoming an
Affiliate
Initially
you must learn "the trade." Affiliate Masters 101
is the answer to this problem. This free course is offered by Ken Evoy,
an expert Affiliate Program manager, and gives a step-by-step instruction on how
to increase your income dramatically by using sound and reliable affiliate
programs currently available. All the staff in our Marketing Department
has studied and utilizes this excellent material. You can request a free download
of this course. Click
Here
Be
aware of problems when you start your on line business using affiliate merchants
- This excellent resources the Aff-Stat
2009 Report from a leading affiliate expert provides you with aggregated affiliate
marketing statistics, affiliate solutions info, best practices, action plan &
sample communications. Over 140 top affiliates are interviewed and their feedback
placed in this report
How
they choose programs to join.
Minimum
EPC and maximum reversal rates they will accept
New
magazine on Affiliate Marketing - Revenue
Today is an excellent way to expand ones knowledge and skills in this
tough field if affiliate marketing. Note what one of our readers had to say about
Revenue Today, "As an avid participant in associate/referral programs,
the information in this magazine was exactly what I was looking for. While there
is a wealth of online content aimed at Internet marketing it's nice to have an
actual magazine dedicated to this exciting field."
Top
20 Listings of Affiliate Networks from the Blue Book of Marketing, click
here.
The
Affiliate Handbook
- This 63-page step-by-step guide walks you through every detail on how to become
a full-fledged affiliate marketer and earn hundreds of dollars a day at home in
your spare time. For more details, click here!
To
select the most reliable Affiliate Programmes and Networks that
you now want to link to, which provides the best support and backup for your online
business, is not so straightforward as it at first appears. A quick check of any
"search engine" will reveal a list of thousands of ISPs in this field,
the ones listed at the top, not being necessarily the best. The following Affiliate
Networks have been referred to us for inclusion as recommended by users, each
having its postive and negative features. This list is based on our own experience
and feedback from clients and customers as being the best to link to.
In
additional we also recommend that you research the following Directories
which list current programmes you might want to consider using in your online
marketing business. These useful Directories list Affiliate Programmes
currently available.
Refer-It.
A directory maintained by internet.com. This site lists affiliate and referral
programs in a categorized and searchable database. Click
here
Associate
Programs. One of the oldest, and best affiliate program guides on the
Internet, with over 5000 programs listed in a searchable directory. Click
here
ReveNews.
A great site devoted to news, research, and advice about affiliate and revenue-sharing
programs. Click here
Affiliate
Scout - This is a comprehensive directory of affiliate programs that are
organized in a way that allows you to find the most relevant advertisers for your
website. Click
here.
Current
Featured Network
Clix
Galore - We have recently researched this 'affiliate network'
and we are very impressed with the set-up and professionalism of this ISP. We
definitely like the look of this one, and we strongly believe this 'affiliate
networkmanager' is going places. If you are a 'merchant' looking
for a reliable and professionally structured 'network' for your marketing
campaign, or a website owner on the lookout for merchants for your 'internet
marketing business', merchants who have been vetted and are stable, this site
is worth checking out.
Click or more information
Recommended Networks (To join as a Merchant or join as an
Affiliate)
Commission
Junction - Probably the world's largest affiliate programme manager
with over 1300 top companies operating through this network. Click Here cj.com
AffiliateBOT
- This network is one of the fastest growing Affiliate Network in the
world, bringing Advertisers, Merchants, Publishers, Bloggers and even Individuals
together. Click
here.
Has
Offers
- This network is one of the most sophisticated we have used. As affiliate networks
continue to expand, the need for powerful yet economical tracking technology increases.
This is where Has Offers affiliate software fits in. Architected by veterans of
affiliate marketing and developed by world class engineers, Has Offers provides
a complete affiliate tracking solution in the cloud. Read
more.
Linkshare
- A very large and comprehensive affiliate network with top class merchants available
for linking to your site. Join
LinkShare Today!
Click2Sell
- This
relatively new affiliate management service is proving to be one of the best available,
both for merchants who wish to promote their product or services and also for
affiliates who wish to expand their selection of good reputable merchants. Although
relatively new this service already has almost 100 solid merchants to promote
that pay commission well above the average. Read more and Sign
Up
Digital
River (One Network Direct) - This is a very powerful online selling and
e-marketing solution for companies across many industries, including software,
consumer electronics and games. Partner with us and attract more customers, boost
sales and expand your global reach. Many affiliates using this network are producing
excellent monthly profits. Read
more.
Affiliate.com
- This service represents the next generation in Affiliate Networks. Since our
founding, we have been focused on generating the best leads and sales results
possible for our Advertisers and Affiliates. We provide Advertisers with a way
to dramatically increase revenue, while maintaining complete control over costs.
Visit
Affiliate.com
Market
Health Affiliate Programs
- Market Health is now the world's largest integrated online marketing company
in the health and beauty industry. The Market Health Affiliate Program allows
you to market and promote the world's leading health and beauty offers on the
net. We offer the highest paying affiliate commissions and the most advance tracking
software in our industry. Visit
Market Health Programs.
Click
Bank - Used by many smaller businesses getting started in the Internet
Marketing field, because of its low start up costs. Click
Here
More
Niche Network - One of the largest growing networks with over 2,000 new
affiliates joining monthly. Click
here.
Share-a-Sale
- Medium sized network and used by many new websites getting started in their
own merchant programmes. shareasale.com
Trade Doubler
- This very professional Affiliate Network is perfect for our UK and
European clients wanting to develop a European base and market for their Internet
Marketing Business. Note that you must be a UK resident and hold a UK bank
account to qualify for membership of this Network.
Affiliate
Future - This UK based Network has some of the leading merchants
and service providers in Europe, and is well established with a user friendly
site for new affiliates. Read
more on the joining requirements for affiliates.
Affiliate
Window - A UK based site, which has a reputation of excellent personalized
service and support. This is one of the best networks we have researched. Visit
the site for more details.
Affiliate
Shop - This is a very professionally set up Network, although somewhat
complex for new users. The quality of the merchants signed up with this Network
make it essential for you or your business to list your products or services,
plus the large number of affiliates signed up is increasing steadily, which will
give you even greater exposure and turnover of your inventory.
Click here to signup as an affiliate.
Offer
Forge - This relatively new network is specific for the global plus the
South African affiliate market. The top quality merchants now promoting their
products on this network make it a necessity for internet marketers targeting
the South African market. Read
more.
The
Link Connector Affiliate/Merchant Management System - This new system
is proving to be a winner and we have had many complimentary remarks. The service
helps companies, individuals, and webmasters find ways to market their online
businesses and increase profits. At the same time help webmasters maximize their
site's earning potential.
Join LinkConnector.com Network
PayDotCom
- This is a new FREE marketplace to sell any product you want. You as
a Merchant or become an affiliate for any item in the marketplace. Read
more.
E-Junkie
- This is an excellent affiliate network that concentrates on Digital books and
reference works for business and marketing. Read
more.
More
to come...
Tips
for Operating your Own Affiliate Programmes
To
market and self-promote your business instead of joining a well-established affiliate
programme network as a Merchant (see list of Networks above)
and do it all 'in-house', is a difficult decision, and maybe influenced
by the costs and outlay of paying a percentage of your receipts from sales to
an Affiliate Programme Network plus the commission to the Affiliates
themselves. Also consider this fact that 98% of affiliates are worth nothing at
all to a merchant. Only 1% or 2% bring you any sales or click-throughs.
The rest have little or no traffic to their sites, so will need to be selective
and carefully screen affiliates who wants to sign up with your programme.
If 'going alone' is the direction you are considering, and operate
your own programme 'in house,' we recommend the following services.
