Could an affiliate program work for us?

[BrightSparke]

We have a quality software product with a decent gross profit margin.

Over the past six months, we've gained a good understanding of direct online sales, marketing and PR.

However, so far I've not had the time to consider whether an affiliate program could work for us.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and - if you think it might be appropriate for our software - some guidance on where to start (I've found this is the hardest part)...

Thanks, Peter

[DuaneJackson]

It sounds like an ideal product for an affiliate scheme.

We developed our own for KashFlow but to be honest I wash we'd gone with a different system.

I think I am right in saying that the likes of www.cj.com and the other affiliate sites give you all you need to manage an affiliate base, although they are very expensive to join.

[Mwebb]

A good uk based version of www.cj.com which is free to join is. www.omguk.com

I am curently in talks with them regards running my affiliate program.

I also have links with an american company "the internet marketing centre" They have an awesome product "AssocTrac"

You can get details on this product on the following site.
www.marketingtips.com Along with some other excellent products.

I do have an affiliatiation with these people so if anyone wants purchase anything please PM me and i will give you my agent id.( In the spirit of the forum i do not want to advertise it in a post.)

Michael Webb

[DuaneJackson]

Spooky, I was just sending an email to OMG when I got the Topic Reply Notificationf or this thread.

[Mwebb]

www.DGM-UK.com are another really good resource to run your affiliate program

[lowcostinks]

yeah i would like to do something like that

[Top Hat]

The place for affiliates and merchants
http://www.a4uforum.co.uk/

We have an independent program and are with a network, we find the independent program works best for us.

It’s a good thing to have as part of your marketing mix, you do need to find good quality relevant affiliates, so it does involve work.

[crus]

Hi,

AffiliateWindow.co.uk may also be worth a look.

Depending on your workload, I would definatelky consider running this in house. Simple to do and if you have a niche product you are morelikely to be able to create an appropriate affiliate base compared to a network.

In this case, I am assuming that your product is downloadable after payment,
which should prove to be an easy tracking environment for conversions.

Your current customer base are probably your best group of potential affiliates, depending on the application, in my opinion.

D

[DuaneJackson]

How do you go about finding your affiliates, Mr Hat?

I've got a good independent scheme, but not enough active affiliates.

I've just joined a4uforums, awaiting activation : )

[Top Hat]

How do you go about finding your affiliates, Mr Hat?

I've got a good independent scheme, but not enough active affiliates.

I've just joined a4uforums, awaiting activation : )

Its Mrs Hat (SillyJokes to you) who does all the affiliate stuff.

A4U is a good place to find affiliates, being an active merchant on there builds trust, you'll learn a lot about affiliates.

Affiliate directories.

And just finding relevant sites that you'd like to link to you, don't dismiss any site because it looks bad, they often work best

[Magsite]

I use www.affiliatefuture.biz a merchant - really good

Lisa

[BrightSparke]

Mr Hat mentions searching directly for sites.

I'm sure this is sound advice, I just wondered how people go about vetting potential partners, affiliates, etc.

These posts have been a fantastic help in giving me places to start this process.

Thanks to all!

Peter