Advice on affiliate networks please

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J

Johill

  • #1
    Hi All

    I have set up an affiliate programme and I am trying to decide whether or not to use an affiliate network to promote it to lots of active affiliates. Does anyone have experience or advice on using:

    Affiliate Window
    Affiliate Future
    Commission Junction
    Paid on Results

    Some of them charge really expensive set up fees from £250 - £1000 – or take a 30% commission for any sales that come through their affiliate network. I am very new to this, but it seems like a lot.

    My target market is London based only - would these affiliate networks be interested in such a narrow market / are they only interested in services/products they can market globally? Any stories / advice on how effective you have found affiliate networks, would be really appreciated.

    Many thanks

    Jo
     
    C

    clickprofits

  • #4
    Hi Jo,

    You may wish to 'test the water' with Paid on Results or Affiliate Future - as their charges are lower than the larger networks. The latter also has a number of business to business affiliate programs and so may have some suitable affiliates for you. An alternative is to run your own programme 'in house' (decent tracking software can be purchased at low cost) - either way you will have to be pro-active in recruiting suitable affiliates for your target market.

    Mark.

    P.S - Just taken another look at your site: I see you already have an in-house program - therefore going with a network might not be necessary. As your offering caters to a very specific niche you may be best off focusing your efforts on approaching relevant sites who may be interested in promoting your services on a commission basis through your in-house program.

    P.P.S - Affiliate is spelt incorrectly on your home page (Affilitate). :wink:
     
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    J

    Johill

  • #5
    Hi Mark
    Thanks very much for looking at the site and for the sound advice (and for catching the spelling mistake -oops!) You're right, I think I am going to concentrate on getting a few good quality affiliates to join the programme, rather than spend the money on promoting to more general affiliate networks. It is much harder than I thought it would be, considering I'm offering 50% commission - I thought people would be beating the door down!! I guess that is what everyone thinks when they start out :eek: . Anyway, I'm enjoying the challenge - it's a good offer for the right people - just got to find those right people!

    Thanks also Graham and Ozzy for your help and advice.

    Jo
     
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    SillyJokes

    SillyJokes

    Free Member
    Jul 26, 2004
    4,581
    595
  • #6
    I've got a niche site and have both an independent program and one with a net work.

    My independent program out performs my networked one by 10 times dispite only having double the number of affiliates.

    The affiliates I get from the network only ever seem to be freebie sites and shopping directories who never do any business. The people who have taken the time to find my indy program just seem more motivated and make more effort.

    They both pay the same.
     
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    C

    crossdaz

  • #7
    Johill said:
    My target market is London based only - would these affiliate networks be interested in such a narrow market / are they only interested in services/products they can market globally? Any stories / advice on how effective you have found affiliate networks, would be really appreciated.
    Click to expand...

    Your offering is a bit too specialised for the general affiliate networks. The only advantage this would offer you is that likely affiliates may trust a network more than an individual merchant in terms of tracking and payments.
    I doubt the cost would be worth it for you though - you'd still need to recruit people at the end of the day?
     
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    J

    -Joe-

    Free Member
    May 18, 2010
    595
    53
    Hemel Hempstead
  • #8
    Johill said:
    Affiliate Window
    Affiliate Future
    Commission Junction
    Paid on Results
    Click to expand...
    Can't say I've heard of AW or AF, although CJ's a big player, although they do a load of shaving and are a bit scammy. POR I've vaguely heard of, but not really.

    Tbh, your target market is so small, that it's gonna be extremely difficult finding a good affiliate network to work with. PPC may be your best option.
     
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    C

    crossdaz

  • #9
    SillyJokes said:
    I've got a niche site and have both an independent program and one with a net work.

    My independent program out performs my networked one by 10 times dispite only having double the number of affiliates.

    The affiliates I get from the network only ever seem to be freebie sites and shopping directories who never do any business. The people who have taken the time to find my indy program just seem more motivated and make more effort.

    They both pay the same.
    Click to expand...

    I wouldn't join your network program in a million years because the voucher sites would overwrite my cookie in most instances. Maybe that's why you get crap affiliates?
    Do you de-dupe sales from one channel to another and how would I earn commission for hen night t shirts?
     
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