Affiliates Marketing
SO WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
Although, in most cases, becoming an affiliate is as uncomplicated as signing up and linking to the affiliate sponsor’s site, there are a number of key considerations.
Because there are 310k Internet Solutions Ltd, if not thousands, of affiliate programmes available, it’s a good idea to start with a consultation with one of 310k Internet Solutions team of experts. They can determine which programmes are available and best suits your site. If you know a particular associated company well and have traded together for a number of years, it may mean you do not need a sophisticated programme, but just a simple hyperlink to their web site.
Alternatively, if you wish to track and monitor sales through affiliate members, two of the best places to look are Associate-It, which claims to be the web’s biggest directory of Associate Programmes, and Refer-It. These two sites do an excellent job providing both general information and search engines for locating programmes.
Between the two sites, you will find over 1,000 affiliate programmes to review. “Pick several that appeal to you and then read the terms of every affiliate programme very carefully”, warns Silverstein. "They are not all the same. Be sure to understand the commitment required by the sponsor, and whether or not you will have to pay anything up front to participate. If in doubt, call a 310k consultant for advice."
“It’s foolish to assume that an affiliate programme or its sponsor is legitimate just because you find it in a directory. If you are familiar with the name and the reputation of the company, there is probably little cause for concern. However, many affiliate programme sponsors could be companies you’ve never heard of before. This does not mean they are not legitimate, but do your homework”
It’s also a good idea to make sure you are comfortable with the types of products the sponsoring company offers. Find out how long the sponsor’s affiliate programme has been in existence and how many affiliates are involved. Ask for references and check them out. In particular, try to learn if there have been any complaints about the company.
It may be worthwhile to go to a few of the sponsor’s affiliate sites and order products through them to see how the sponsor handles your order. Determine if you can try the programme for a limited period of time without obligation. Make sure you are affiliating with a company that will not damage your own reputation.
Your affiliate programme will be more successful if the sponsor’s products or services are complementary to your own. Why do visitors come to your web site, and what are they looking for? If the sponsor’s affiliate programme helps to answer these questions and supports the theme of your site or the business you are in, then it is probably a good fit.
Finally, keep a close eye on how well the affiliate programme is working, always monitor your visitors and check if they are receptive to it. Evaluate the sponsor’s service and make sure your visitors are satisfied. Determine if you are getting what you anticipated out of the programme.
Affiliate programmes should enhance your site, not take away from its effectiveness. If you fill your site with too many affiliate programmes, your visitors may perceive that you are more interested in making money than servicing their needs. If in doubt speak to a 310k Internet Solutions consultant.