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Over the past two decades, there have been various opinions on what makes an affiliate program the best for making money. Some people prioritize high payouts, while others focus on network earnings per click (EPCs). However, these factors may not always indicate the quality of an affiliate program. In this article, we will discuss seven essential factors to consider when selecting an affiliate program, along with tips on how to test them to determine their suitability for your situation. By taking these factors into account, you can increase your chances of finding an affiliate program that offers a high potential for earning money.
Seven Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Affiliate Program
1. Responsive Managers
One of the most crucial aspects to consider before joining an affiliate program is the responsiveness of the program’s affiliate manager. Contact the affiliate manager via the provided contact information and introduce yourself, explaining why you are a good fit for the program and how you can provide value to the brand. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about the program and tracking to assess the manager’s knowledge and expertise. If the affiliate manager does not respond within two business days, it may be a warning sign that they are not reliable. If they are unresponsive when you are trying to bring them business, it is likely that they will not be helpful in resolving tracking issues or missing sales in the future. It is important to note that occasional unresponsiveness due to vacation or an auto-responder is acceptable, as long as they respond promptly upon their return. When asking questions, avoid asking for free products or samples upfront, as this may give the impression that you are only interested in receiving freebies rather than driving customers and earning commissions. Instead, focus on sharing your business plan and discussing marketing strategies that align with the brand’s goals.
Seven Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Affiliate Program
2. Audience Demographic Matches
Different stores and service providers cater to specific target audience demographics, and it is essential to match your traffic with the right affiliate programs that align with your audience’s needs and preferences. Consider factors such as pricing, selling points, return policies, imagery, and free shipping, as these elements can significantly impact conversion rates. To determine the main customer base of each retailer or service provider, you can analyze your own website analytics or survey your audience to gather information about their preferences and requirements. By understanding your audience’s demographics and preferences, you can choose affiliate programs that are more likely to resonate with your audience, resulting in higher conversion rates and increased income.
Seven Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Affiliate Program
3. Live Chat & Traffic Leaks
Live chat functionality and traffic leaks are often overlooked when evaluating affiliate programs. A traffic leak occurs when a merchant allows your referral traffic to leave their website or makes it easy for your referrals to click on other affiliates’ links. Live chat can also potentially bypass the affiliate tracking system, leading to lost commissions. To test for traffic leaks, initiate a conversation with live chat support or customer service and ask if they can process your order. If live chat or phone support is able to process your order without involving the shopping cart or affiliate tracking, it is likely that the sale will not be tracked, and you will not receive the commission. Additionally, be aware of other forms of traffic leaks, such as external ads within the merchant’s site or marketplace links that divert your referrals to other sites. It is important to test for leaks and ensure that your commissions are adequately protected.
Seven Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Affiliate Program
4. High Payouts Are Not Always Better
While high commissions may seem attractive, they do not always guarantee higher earnings or indicate a good affiliate program. Some programs with high payouts may be in desperate need of sales or on the verge of closure. Additionally, high commissions may be offered to compensate for leaks and low conversion rates. It is important to assess the overall profitability of an affiliate program, taking into account factors such as recurring commissions, average order value, and long-term revenue potential. Sometimes, programs with lower commissions but better conversion rates or recurring revenue models can result in higher overall earnings. It is crucial to evaluate the program’s profitability based on your specific audience and traffic sources, rather than solely focusing on the payout percentage.
Seven Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Affiliate Program
5. Affiliate Program EPCs Are Skewed Metrics
Earnings per click (EPC) is often used as a metric to assess the performance of affiliate programs. However, a high network EPC can be misleading and may indicate the presence of fraudulent or low-quality affiliates who artificially inflate the numbers. To gauge the reliability of an affiliate program’s EPC, conduct a search on search engines like Google or Bing using the brand name along with keywords like “coupons.” Look for pay-per-click (PPC) ads and organic search results to identify active affiliates. These affiliates may be contributing to the high EPC, but if their presence is not properly accounted for in the program’s attribution system, you may lose commissions to these affiliates even if you rightfully earned them. It is important to test the tracking and attribution systems of affiliate programs to ensure that your commissions are accurately tracked and attributed to your efforts.
Seven Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Affiliate Program
6. Multiple Affiliate Programs and Multiple Networks
Some brands have multiple affiliate programs or are present on multiple affiliate networks. This can create complexities in terms of tracking and commission attribution. It is important to determine if there are private programs, second networks, or sub-affiliate networks that are not part of the main program. In some cases, only one affiliate network will be credited with the commission for a sale, and it is crucial to understand how this attribution is determined. Test the tracking systems by clicking on your affiliate link and making a purchase through different networks or sub-affiliate links. This will help you identify any issues with tracking and ensure that you receive the commissions you have earned. Additionally, be aware of scenarios where multiple affiliates contribute to a sale, such as when a review partner or coupon site is involved. Proper attribution and commission splitting should be in place to ensure fair compensation for all contributing affiliates.
7. Advanced Tracking
Advanced tracking capabilities are essential for effective affiliate marketing. With the ever-changing landscape of technology and privacy regulations, it is crucial to have tracking systems that can adapt to these changes. Cross-device tracking, IP tracking, database tracking, and other advanced tracking methods can help overcome challenges such as device restrictions, cookie limitations, and data privacy concerns. While most affiliate managers may not have in-depth knowledge of advanced tracking systems, they should be able to provide technical details from their IT teams upon request. It is important to discuss advanced tracking capabilities with the affiliate manager and test the tracking systems to ensure that your commissions are accurately tracked across different devices and touchpoints. Establishing a positive relationship with the affiliate manager can also open up opportunities for custom commissions and deals.
In conclusion, finding the best affiliate program requires careful consideration of multiple factors. By evaluating the responsiveness of affiliate managers, matching audience demographics, testing for traffic leaks, assessing the profitability beyond high payouts, analyzing accurate EPCs, understanding multiple affiliate programs and networks, and exploring advanced tracking capabilities, you can increase your chances of choosing the most suitable affiliate program for your needs and maximizing your earning potential. Remember to test and adapt as your website and audience grow, and stay proactive in identifying and resolving any issues that may arise. By prioritizing these factors, you can set yourself up for long-term success in the world of affiliate marketing.