Affiliate programs have become one of the fastest methods of building traffic and earning money online. These programs offer a mutually beneficial opportunity for both businesses and website owners to promote a product, make a sale and earn an income. However, not every affiliate program is created equal. Some are simply better than others. Before signing up for anything, learn what to look for in an affiliate program to maximize your profits.
Are you engaging in any affiliate programs? Any success? Let us know in the comments.
A Good Match
A good affiliate program should be related to the site’s content. Otherwise, visitors to that site will not find any relevance to the ads or links displayed and will not be interested to click on them or participate. Look for programs that promote products and services that will not only sell but also look and feel right at home in your website. For example, a blog about computers and technology will fare best when promoting products such as software, gadgets and electronic accessories. It will not do as well selling products related to another niche, such as personal care or travel.
Established Online Presence
An established program is likely to be a reliable program. If it has had significant positive impact on the Web, there is enough assurance that it can work. Trusted programs are likely to have strong support from their affiliates. You are better off signing up for programs like these due to their track record. Since they can be trusted, you are also more likely to get paid for your efforts.
Quality Products and/or Services
A good affiliate program should offer products and/or services that people actually want to buy or subscribe to. Low quality products are not only difficult to sell, they can also affect your online reputation in a negative way. If you want to build a loyal following, represent only companies and businesses that provide high-value products that you yourself would not hesitate to promote.
Good Commission
You joined affiliate programs because you wanted to make money right? A good commission rate translates to excellent rewards for affiliate partners. Simply put, every click or pre-agreed action on the part of your website visitors means more income for you. So what exactly is a good commission rate? Although there is no set figure for everyone, affiliate partners who want to maximize their earnings should consider programs that offer at least 20% of the price of the product or at least 30% for each direct sale. Many of the established programs have commission rates at this range, although there are those that offer higher rates at 50% or even more. The only drawback is that these programs tend to be rare and difficult to get into. However, if and when an opportunity presents itself, it is a good idea to sign up right away.
Avoiding Scams
Scams promise everything and the world. The more flamboyant ones are often easy to spot, making outlandish claims and statements in the hope of attracting more affiliate partners to do business for them. Beware of ads that promise too much, too soon. If an affiliate program company offers a get-rich-quick plan or even promises large amounts of income within a short period of time, be wary. Keep in mind that it takes work and plenty of connections to get things done in an affiliate program. As in most businesses, there is a process involved and shortcuts simply do not work.
[Read also: Why Selling Affiliate Products Is A Waste Of Time]
What makes a good affiliate program? Do you have any tips on finding the best affiliate program? Tell us in the comments.
I prefer to go with ones that are well known and established. You really need to read the fine print, that is if you can understand them. Some of them have some pretty confusing terms of service. I have heard that some of them will remove your account or even deduct earnings from your account if it’s dormant, you haven’t logged in, or haven’t generated a new sales commission in a while. Like I mentioned I usually go with ones that are familiar and talked about. Then again, the more popular they are the more likely people might be to already use the product or service so no commission as a result.
Yes you’re right. Some will remove your account if it’s not active for a while. That’s why it’s important to read their policy before joining. I also only go for the established and well known ones and one of them would be Amazon.They’re popular, I’ve been with them for almost 3 years but I don’t have any problem selling their product and getting my commission so far.
I think we should see the products whether it suits for your blog and is it beneficial for your audience. Also Commission matters. We need to concern about the commission rate.
Yeah that’s what I said in the article Puneet.
Before join an affiliate program/network should always check around for their reviews to make sure they are actually paid. Or else your hard work will just reward with nothing.
I always go for the reputable ones. Amazon and ClickBank, you’ll never go wrong with these 2.
Earning via Affiliate Programs is the direct quick money means no risk as compared to Advertising programs such as giant Adsense but Its difficult to earn from Affiliate programs,you need to have high traffic to your blog and you should be specific to your niche to get success in this game.This doesn’t mean that you can’t earn from it,many folks are earning more than adsense from it. Am too planning to start Affiliate programs on one of my blog.Hope it will go fine 🙂
Affiliate programs give you the opportunity to make more money via closing a sale, it’s more difficult to earn from affiliate because people would have to “buy” then only you’ll earn, hence commission is higher because it involves more of your time and effort. Yes, I have friends who are focusing 100% in affiliate, they never put Adsense or any Adsense alternatives on their sites and they’re doing quite well with just affiliate programs. Wish you’ll do well with affiliate programs Govind and thanks for the comment.
When searching for an affiliate program it is like you said important to get something that might interest your audience/readers. If possible try to get an affiliate product with recurring payment. This way you make the sale ones but you keep getting paid for it every month or 6months. Like the hostgator or bluehost webhosting affiliates (like Peter). Also it’s important to figure out how long the cookie will stay on the computer of the person who clicked on your affiliate link.
Amazon only pays if the person who clicked on your affiliate link buys something within 24 hours. But there are also affiliate programs that will still pay you your commision if somebody clicks on your affiliate link today but buys something from them within 60 days. If that would’ve been the case with Amazon, I would be filthy rich now 😛
Yeah try to find affiliate product with recurring payment and also watch out for the tip on cookie, absolutely vital! Appreciate the addition Danny, thanks!
What you have shown and discussed here is what internet users are looking for. I now that people whoa re into affiliate marketing and programs are having or experiencing these problems and I am so glad that you have stated it here on your post. This is another informative blog of yours.
Thanks for the kind words Liane.
I am glad that you had this post. i learned several things from your post and from the comments by other bloggers. I will take note of those tips. Thanks a lot. 🙂
You’re most welcome Bhing. Thanks for dropping by.
Great article…. One other thing to watch out for I’d like to recommend is “Cookies”… That is, when a potential customer visits your affiliate site and clicks through to the affiliate (i.e. Amazon for instance) and does not make a purchase at that time, do you get credit for the sale when they return? If cookies are used, then the answer is yes… Now, the duration of the cookies becomes important. For instant Amazon has a 24 hour duration only, whereas ebay has a 7 day cookie duration…. I think this is an important feature in addition to what you described above, to be considered when choosing an affiliate program.
You’re absolutely right about that Becca! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Hey Peter i never tried any affiliate program but soon i will try it on my blog.
Hope i can achieve something from this too.
I want your suggestion Which Affiliate Production will be best suitable for my site?
Thanks.
I’m not going to recommend any specific product though, it’s better that you research some of the popular affiliate sites by yourself. But since your site is a tech site, I think products such as gadgets or any software related product are good for your site.
Hey Peter, what do you say about Commission Junction? Have you tried it or do you suggest it? I am thinking about trying it to get into affiliate programs. Is there something I should know about it?
No I never tried that before, Mahaveer. Do share your experience after you joined them.
Affiliate marketing looks very complicated as it requires loyal visitors. But once we have created a well established blog, it looks quite good then.
You must be doing very well with your affiliate marketing then 🙂
Yes you are right then we must be. But it takes experience as well as a good blog.
Thank you for the terrific post. Choosing the right Affiliate Program is the key in making money.