Freebie sites

[AmberSite]

As i have no experience in those, thought might ask here.

Noticed few of the websites have affiliate links + advertisement, but most are just direct links to websites that offer free sample, etc.

So the question is: How those websites make money?

I am talking about the ones that offer only freebies not voucher codes, etc.

 

[atwaltraining]

They will probably be paid per click or per x impressions, e.g. they will be paid for every 1000 impressions.

Are you sure the sites advertising are offering free stuff? Maybe they are offering free trials or something. Got an example, its hard to really understand without looking at the website in question.

 

[AmberSite]

Here is a good example what i am talking about: http://www.magicfreebiesuk.co.uk/

 

[atwaltraining]

Stuff like 4 free Virgin sims they will earn x amount (from Virgin) for every successful sign up as a result of the link clicked off their website.
I imagine something similar applies for all the offers on that site.

 

[Webtistic]

We run the leading UK 'freebies' affiliate network, so hopefully I can answer this for you!

Freebie sites are paid per lead by the website offering the freebie (usually through an affiliate network). Essentially, and usually, the website giving away the freebie will do so in exchange for user data which can be very valuable in terms of future marketing potential.

Each lead (or 'referral') is easily tracked, and the freebie site earns commission when the desired action has been completed by the referred user.

I hope this helps!

 

[MASSEY]

We run the leading UK 'freebies' affiliate network, so hopefully I can answer this for you!

Freebie sites are paid per lead by the website offering the freebie (usually through an affiliate network). Essentially, and usually, the website giving away the freebie will do so in exchange for user data which can be very valuable in terms of future marketing potential.

Each lead (or 'referral') is easily tracked, and the freebie site earns commission when the desired action has been completed by the referred user.

I hope this helps!

Do they not get anything out of the initial click, if they dont go all the way through and sign up to the service they clicked on?

 

[AmberSite]

Thanks that helped. One more thing some of the links are quite strange as they don't have ny ref no, lets say link is just http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/gift or something. How they track those?

 

[Bondy_UK]

We run the leading UK 'freebies' affiliate network, so hopefully I can answer this for you!

Freebie sites are paid per lead by the website offering the freebie (usually through an affiliate network). Essentially, and usually, the website giving away the freebie will do so in exchange for user data which can be very valuable in terms of future marketing potential.

Each lead (or 'referral') is easily tracked, and the freebie site earns commission when the desired action has been completed by the referred user.

I hope this helps!

When I first read this I thought it was going to be a load of rubbish... but I must say I really like your site!
Some of these affiliate companies look like a real cowboy act so its nice to see a decent one like yours. You are also UK based which is a big plus and on this of all forums, something I didnt expect to see around here. Ive not heard of it before, but ive bookmarked it for the future if im on the lookout for a new affiliate site. Keep up the good work!

I have always wondered how affiliate sites (since there are so many) seem to be able to get these contracts with the big companies the way they do. I know smaller ones probably find your site or are gained by your marketing efforts, but do you cold call/telesales the big companies? :|

Do you manage this by yourself/a few people, or do you have a big office filled with AM's? If so im surprised ive not heard of you before.

All the best with it mate

 

[Webtistic]

Do they not get anything out of the initial click, if they dont go all the way through and sign up to the service they clicked on?

No, it is quite rare for freebies offers to be run on a cost per click basis.

 

[Webtistic]

Thanks that helped. One more thing some of the links are quite strange as they don't have ny ref no, lets say link is just http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/gift or something. How they track those?

Not entirely sure what you mean here Amber? Could you give a real example?

 

[Faevilangel]

Not entirely sure what you mean here Amber? Could you give a real example?

Basically what I gathered they meant was, that the link has no reference at the end e.g.
http://www.domain.com/gifts?ref=8979868

So how does the affiliate track the click, if there is no ID for the reference for the affiliate.

 

[Webtistic]

When I first read this I thought it was going to be a load of rubbish... but I must say I really like your site!
Some of these affiliate companies look like a real cowboy act so its nice to see a decent one like yours. You are also UK based which is a big plus and on this of all forums, something I didnt expect to see around here. Ive not heard of it before, but ive bookmarked it for the future if im on the lookout for a new affiliate site. Keep up the good work!

I have always wondered how affiliate sites (since there are so many) seem to be able to get these contracts with the big companies the way they do. I know smaller ones probably find your site or are gained by your marketing efforts, but do you cold call/telesales the big companies? :|

Do you manage this by yourself/a few people, or do you have a big office filled with AM's? If so im surprised ive not heard of you before.

All the best with it mate

Hi,

Thank you for your kind words.

The network has actually been live since March 2007, and has grown steadily throughout that period. Our strategy was always to control growth and control costs, having seen numerous networks come and go before our launch and since. We are now up to 4 members of staff.

In terms of attracting new merchants/advertisers, this was an issue initially (obviously) and we had to be less choosy about who came on the network, but over time, our reputation has spread and we rarely contact potential merchants - they all come to us.

Our clients have ranged from well-known brand names through to bedroom start-ups. The only thing we need is a campaign that has potential, and good merchant support.

Finally, we will be standing at this years Affiliates4U event at Excel in October, so feel free to come and see us if you are there

 

[Webtistic]

Basically what I gathered they meant was, that the link has no reference at the end e.g.
http://www.domain.com/gifts?ref=8979868

So how does the affiliate track the click, if there is no ID for the reference for the affiliate.

Well, not all offers on freebie sites are affiliate links.

Usually, freebie sites will 'flesh out' their affiliate offers with non-affiliate offers (that they aren't paid for) just to offer a larger range of freebies to its users.

So, if you have one freebie site with 50 offers, and another with 100, chances are that users will return to the larger one.

It's all about convincing people to return, as they will complete the affiliate offers eventually.

 

[Bondy_UK]

Hi,

Thank you for your kind words.

The network has actually been live since March 2007, and has grown steadily throughout that period. Our strategy was always to control growth and control costs, having seen numerous networks come and go before our launch and since. We are now up to 4 members of staff.

In terms of attracting new merchants/advertisers, this was an issue initially (obviously) and we had to be less choosy about who came on the network, but over time, our reputation has spread and we rarely contact potential merchants - they all come to us.

Our clients have ranged from well-known brand names through to bedroom start-ups. The only thing we need is a campaign that has potential, and good merchant support.

Finally, we will be standing at this years Affiliates4U event at Excel in October, so feel free to come and see us if you are there

Sounds good mate.
I think the fact that you take on 'bedroom start-ups' has probably been a major benefit. If you approach any of the networks known by 'average joe' they dont like dealing with newer companies, and require you to pay ridiculous amounts of money, like £50k+ to start a campaign.
I think its great that you are UK based as most are US or EU, and I notice you seem to have a lot that accept incentive-based traffic.

 

[Webtistic]

Sounds good mate.
I think the fact that you take on 'bedroom start-ups' has probably been a major benefit. If you approach any of the networks known by 'average joe' they dont like dealing with newer companies, and require you to pay ridiculous amounts of money, like £50k+ to start a campaign.
I think its great that you are UK based as most are US or EU, and I notice you seem to have a lot that accept incentive-based traffic.

Cheers Bondy,

I agree in that many of the larger networks will only take on well-known brands.

I prefer to look at the ambition/commitment of potential merhants rather than the strength of the brand.

Oh, and yes, we have a fair few incentive offers