[-Edwin-]

Okay, so i submitted an application to join the network, i had to submit a domain in the process.
On the 2nd page you'll see this copy:

The next step is to identify one website that you will be using with your account. We realize that you may have many different websites, and you will be able to add those on to your account in the future. In the meantime, we only need you to choose your "main" website - which we will use to verify your information entered. 1-->Please Note: Merchants will see this information when you apply for their program, so it is important to list a website that is complete and can show a general idea of what kind of promotion work you do.

IMPORTANT: You must have and operate at least one website in order to create an Affiliate Account at ShareASale.com.2--> If you plan on doing most of your advertising and promotion using Pay Per Click, Google Adsense, Overture, etc... - you still must have a website that identifies your business, etc...

This in my opinion doesn't make sense and in combination with my application being declined it's even more confusing.

Let me first address point 1:

When someone submits a site in example dedicated to soccer in this stage of the process, it will become their Main domain as being said, which the Merchants will see and will judge to accept your acceptation or not with all the future applications by evaluating the Main domain...the soccer website.

Now how can this work?
Should i want to also apply for a specific program aimed for car stereos?

Naturally the Merchant will decline the application as the website shown to them is totally irrelevant.

So how can this work?
Therefor i had chosen to take the second approach....which leads me to point two.

Second point:

So since i haven't have an operational website up for the specific programs i have in mind yet i thought to set up a site to describe:

you still must have a website that identifies your business, etc...

and then my application got declined.

There are some nice domains i wish to use in conjunction with PopShops, the solution Linda blogged about a little while ago, which seemed like a great way to get something going but here comes the chicken and the egg analogy in to play...

Dilemma: I need to have an affiliate ID to set it up correctly and I'm not going to set up shop knowing i wouldn't be credited should a sale occur not to mention to have my site indexed with the risk of not being accepted after all.

I want to start out right and on top of that when i try to change the domain in my application access to Shareasale is being denied...pending application!

It wouldn't matter anyway probably as this portion was also being mentioned in the application denied email:

Your site also must be up and operational (viewable) in order for us to approve you

Indeed, a dilemma.

Please provide as much detail as possible when applying so that we can review your application accurately.

As much detail as possible?
But going through the sign up process this being asked from someone applying:

Please provide a brief Description (less than 240 characters) of your site or your marketing plans. You don't need to go into detail about specifics, but anything that you can describe about what you do will help individual merchants make decisions about applications to their programs.

Your not making it easy for me Shareasale, or is this intended to be like this?
I mean, Shareasale is hopefully interested in attracting new affiliates with motivation? or are only people allowed with high traffic websites?

Is Shareasale not intended for starters?


Thank you for listening.

Edwin