Affiliate Model

There are basically three types of affiliate management programs:

· Affiliate Networks – This is probably the easiest to set up. You just set up your affiliate product in their system and they handle the rest. Each service charges differently for their service. You will want to look through all the fine print before you select the service that is right for you. (Examples are Clickbank and Commission Junction.)

· Web Based Services – These services allow you to set up your affiliate program on their system. You still have to set up a merchant account. (An examples is 1Shopping Cart)

· Server Based Software – This software you load on your server which will manage your affiliates. (An example is viral sales generator.)

If you are just starting out, you may want to consider using Clickbank or PayDotCom. Both of these programs allow you to easily set up one product or several products. You don’t have to have a merchant account with either of these services. (This is extremely helpful if you are just starting out and are strapped for cash.)

With Clickbank you pay a one time fee of $50 and can list up to 99 products. Clickbank takes care of providing the affiliate links and paying the affiliates. They also pay you your share of the profits. However, it is harder to manage the affiliates. It can be done but it will take some work on your part.

If you have an established business and several products and affiliate, 1Shopping Cart or Viral Sales Generator are good choices. With these products you know who is selling for you and how much traffic they are driving to your site. You can easily provide tools for your affiliates to increase their productivity. However, there is a price to pay.

There is a great eBook, Report on Affiliate Management Software, put out by Dr. Wilson at Web Marketing Today. In this report, Ralph looks at the basic and advance features of affiliate software. He then looks in detail at 48 stand-alone programs and 55 affiliate modules integrated into shopping carts. He then offers candid feedback from about 200 users and makes recommendations. Before you invest, I would recommend looking at his review.

Wanting you to succeed,

Linda

PS If you haven’t listened to the affiliate audio interviews at www.WebTechAffiliates.com, go there now and listen to these great calls!  If there is any way you can get to the conference, you won’t be disappointed!  BUT the calls will disappear soon.