Affiliate programs come in many shapes and sizes. Some sellers only have one product for you to market. Some have a wide range of products. And some programs offer stats for you to monitor and track your marketing and sales efforts; some have none. So before you jump into affiliate marketing – or get deeper into the affiliate marketing arena, here are some important features to look for overall Affiliate Programs:
A) Cost – Many affiliate programs are free to join. Will it cost you anything to join? Most affiliate programs being offered today are absolutely free of charge. So why settle for those that charge you some dollars before joining.
B) Payout – Some places pay via checks, some pay through Paypal and still more pay through other set ups or third party processors. So see what your needs are. For example, are you in a country that accepts Paypal? If checks are mailed, are they only mailed in the USA? It could definitely pay to do some homework before signing up and selling anything.
C) Sales and Marketing Tools – Many affiliate programs package their products complete with websites, full color graphics, copywriting, autoresponder series with your branded affiliate links – the whole nine yards. Others only offer the products: you must brand them and use your own means to market and sell them. If you have the knowledge, means, income and time to set up shop on your own, go for it and sell whatever you like. Otherwise, stick with affiliate programs that come with everything you need.
D) Tiers – See if the affiliate program is a one tier or two tier plan. A one or single tier program pays you for the sales you get through your links. A two tier program pays you not only for the sales you generate, but also a percentage based upon the sales generated by any affiliate who signs up under you, an affiliate that you sponsor or bring into their program.
E) Cookies / Tracking – Check to see how your sales referrals who click your affiliate links are tracked. IN other words, if someone visitors through your link, but doesn’t buy until two weeks later, will you still get credit for the sale? And what if you are selling more than one item for the affiliate program? If someone clicks through product A’s link, but purchases product B instead, will you get credit for the sale of product B?
And check into subscription payouts. Do you get paid only once for new sign ups? Or do you get a percentage of each month’s membership fee while your referrals remain active members?
Do your homework and all of the math first with affiliate programs. You don’t want to come up short–changed or short-tempered when payout time rolls around!
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Nice Article!
I prefer to promote affiliate programs that pays commission using paypal because I don’t have to wait for the check to arrive and wait more weeks for check clearing.