Articles

What exactly IS an affiliate program?

by Mark Hultgren Wordpress Specialist


Affiliate programs are literally taking the internet by storm. Affiliate programs are so popular that it is likely which you suffer heard of them before, even if you aren’t a website owner. While many individuals have heard of affiliate programs, there are very few who in point of fact know what properties are. If you are interested in capitalizing on this amazing business opportunity, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself amongst affiliate programs and what they can do for you. Doing so may very well be the finest decision that you will make.

Affiliate programs are sector programs, too sometimes referred to as sector opportunities, which are ideal for webmasters. All advertisers can benefit from the use of an affiliate program, but those looking to acquire funds can benefit the most. This is because, in a way, you will be selling merchandise for another company. This provides you to instigate cash without invested in to sell your own products.

A large number of companies participate in affiliate programs, namely retailers. Once you force the decision to join an affiliate program, you will have to file an affiliate partner request form. This form is usually small, but it is almost always required. Most of the retailers, in charge of running an affiliate programs, are well known; therefore, they want to protect their image. This means that before officially joining an affiliate program your website has to be reviewed. If your website is approved, which most legitimate ones are, the next step will all depend on the company in which you are applpying with.

Most of the retailers or affiliate advertisers will have customized links or banners. These banners will need to be placed on your website. These advertisements might vary from company to company; however, most advertisements showcase merchandise or special sales. If one of your website visitors is interested in learning more, they will click on your link or banner. In doing so, your website will be flagged. This flagging is often wrapped up to ensure that you will receive the proper charge for bringing in new customers. If an internet user, who clicked one of your affiliate links or banners, makes the decision to purchase anything, you will receive credit for that purchase.

The amount of money that you can make based on data from an affiliate service all depends on which type of program you are participating in. As beforehand mentioned, a large number of businesses, including retail stores, operate the own affiliate program. Each business is able to figure out the level of commission that you are going to make according to every sale. That money is often a percentage amount. Most affiliate programs begin at around five per cent of the sale, but some can go as high as ten or fifteen.

Just for your information, at 2Getsales.com, we offer 50% commission from the beginning and as you make more sales, your commission rates go up. This way, you can write your own pay raise!

When it comes to affiliate programs, there are a large number of webmasters who decide not to join one. Many individuals feel the commission percentage is not worth their time. While this may be the case in come cases, it is not always. In fact, the finest way to earn money with affiliate programs is to join more than one program. Some affiliate advertisers, such as retail stores, may place strict limitations on who else’s links and banners can be displayed on the same web page as theirs, but many are flexible.

If you are able to join a greater number of as opposed to one affiliate program, you are advised to do so. Many webmasters have found success by doing this. Imagine, if you could make money off of one affiliate program, how much money do you bet you could make off of one or ten of them? When joining a number of different affiliate programs, it is advised strongly that you carefully track all of your records and earnings. This is easy to do with one or two programs, but investing in more you may want to consider purchasing affiliate tracking software. Those software programs are an easy way to keep track of your earnings.

To make the the most of out of affiliate programs, you are advised to take the time to find the right one. Many webmasters sign up for the first affiliate program they come across. While all affiliate programs may be able to generate money, some will perform ideal better than others. By finding these programs, you should be able to make a substantial amount of money with affiliate programs.

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About Mark Hultgren Senior     Wordpress Specialist

348 connections, 13 recommendations, 808 honor points.
Joined APSense since, May 19th, 2007, From North Carolina Mountains, United States.

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

Comments

Jenny Stewart Professional   
Hi Mark,

Thanks for a very clear and, therefore very useful, explanation. it defininitely goes into the category

"All the things you wanted to know about working on the Internet but were Afraid to Ask. it has certainly cleared up a lot of quieries that i had.

And i have just discovered that the programme I work with is a two tier affiliate!

Thanks - i am wiser for having read your article....as always! LOL

Jenny
May 7th 2008 18:50   
Mark Hultgren Senior   Wordpress Specialist
Thank you for your kind words Jenny!

I am just trying to give folks here some info that many marketers have built $1000 training programs on!.
May 7th 2008 22:52   
Cheryl Baumgartner Professional Premium   Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
Great article. It's unfortunate that many fly by night companies and scammers are now referring to their stuff as "affiliate marketing" There is definitely a shadow over the whole thing because of these scammers referring to themselves as affiliates.
May 8th 2008 07:47   
Jeff Greene Committed   Online Marketing Specialist/Consultant
Brilliant article as always, MK! :)

When folks can clearly guide themselves to the better affiliate programs, they will see that it's possible to actually make a living from the online efforts... Your article will help them do that--- Thanks for taking the time to share your fine knowledge, resources and experience, I hope that the newbies get over here and actually digest something that's really good for them! :)
May 8th 2008 08:32   
Mark Hultgren Senior   Wordpress Specialist
Thank you Cheryl and Peaceful for your words of encouragement!

Everyone that visits my blogs are more than welcome to include a referral link to them in their own groups ;-)

I tend to categorize my content into different areas, but the links can all be found in my listings on the right.

I will be doing a series of blogs on Tracking software and affiliate marketing in the next couple weeks. You can get content like this for your own newsletter at my latest site

www.nuz4u.com

Even if you don't use the newsletter service, the membership is worth the content alone! With over 100 different categories to choose from, I am sure you will find something that you can put to good use! Also, we will be adding more content monthly so there will be no need to go to some other PLR site to purchase great articles! It is all part of the service.
May 8th 2008 09:49   
Sonya Smith Advanced   
Our company just switched from an MLM format to an Affiliate format. Our commissions will be MUCH larger with this new format. I was kind of nervous about it at first, but think I will be much happier now.

Thank you for a great article:)
May 9th 2008 02:23   
Jeff Greene Committed   Online Marketing Specialist/Consultant
Great affiliate programs all have one thing in common... They translate very well to other media and really go over big in offline 'Warm Body" marketing...

I certainly can't carry around samples of the $400, 000 custom homes that I promote, but people love brochures with attracrive images, floor plans and well written text... When an affiliate program is upscale enough, your marketing methods should also reflect that style--

I'm guilty of having a personality that likes a little bit of luxury now and again, and most of my affiliations match my tastes-- This makes marketing and advertising a pleasure for me and not a painful, stressful chore...

"CHOOSE WISELY " is not only good advice, it is Wisdom In Action! :)
May 9th 2008 07:48   
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