Should Merchants Use Multiple Affiliate Networks? It's a multi-dimensional issue that raises a variety of tracking and reporting questions and there is not a single answer that's right for every affiliate program.
In general (although it depends on the program) I recommend, at most, an in-house program and one network program. That way you can give affiliates the choice of higher payouts, longer cookies and more direct support with the Indie or the convenience of a network for the many affiliates that prefer that option. I really do not advocate merchants being on multiple networks. But that's just me.
Jeff Molander recently held a Paying For Performance Webinar where he posed the question to leading affiliate marketing veterans and managers including:
Donald Schamber, Online Marketing Manager,
Vistaprint.com
Carolyn Tang, Client Services Dir,
Shareasale
Jonathan Miller, Founder,
Forge Corporation
Jamie Birch, Dir, Affiliate Marketing,
Converseon (formerly of Coldwater Creek)
Chris Sanderson, Managing Partner of
AMWSO
Their answers and a great discussion was just published over at Shop.org. If you are a merchant either already on or considering a multi-network strategy, this should be on your must-read list.
Should Retailers Use Multiple Affiliate Networks?
Affiliates what do you think? All the discussion above was centered around what's best for the merchant.
What's your stance on the issue?