5 Star Affiliate Programs

Brad · #1 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 10:06 PM

Ok so I am a noob. Most of my affiliates are pay per lead on my main site and some per sale. I have noticed a good click rate and little to none conversion rate. I know this is possible but it seems that cj is lagging in reporting leads from click through. I know that some batch process but only 2 of mine do. I have noticed from merchants outside cj a good conversion rate and to be honest some of the merchants in cj have better site and should be providing better conversions. I guess my question here is has anyone else noticed this or is it just me?

Also I have a merchant that I was sending good traffic to through cj but no conversions. I contacted the merchant and he explained that I should go direct with him and I would see a higher conversion. The direct partnership pays less. I questioned this and he gave a answer that made no sense basically saying the program terms were not completely outlined in cj(misrepresented) In short I decided why not give it a try so I did. Now mysteriously after going direct with him I have a 33% conversion rate which is about what I expected and it is the same landing page etc. Is this odd? Who was missing the boat here cj or him?

Larwee · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 10:13 PM

Brad, yes others have also experienced this delay as covered in this thread CJ - Delay in reporting?

Brad · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 10:42 PM

the second part about the mysterious conversion rate after going direct has anyone every experienced this?

Linda Buquet · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 11:03 PM

I wonder how much of the conversion issue is firewalls and anti-spyware programs
that block CJ links, but don't block indies?

frugalwench · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 06:32 PM

You know, lately I've read a couple of complaints about CJ, and how they aren't paying their affiliates. It seems someone is suing them, because they found out they were being paid, but he wasn't. He's accusing them of pocketing his commissions. They're saying it's an accounting error.

I hope it's not true, but just the same, I've been staying away from CJ. I have two affiliate accounts with them, and neither one of them has ever paid me a dime, although they do get lots of clicks.

Brad · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 06:43 PM

I really think you are on to something. I have not been a affiliate marketing guy long but do have a solid root with some big internet companies and know enough about conversions that I am confident that in me sending the amount of traffic to the sites I do I would see some conversions unlike I am. I will be reaching out to my affiliates here and trying to do direct partnerships with them!

Linda Buquet · #7 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 07:55 PM

I just really don't think CJ is stiffing affiliates. I would hear about it.
Some forums have very active CJ affiliates that are happy to complain every time anything happens and I just don't see anyone saying CJ has withheld a check unless there was a valid reason. There are issues that come up - like a merchant requiring an audit from CJ before they pay, due to some type of problem.

But CJ only makes money if affiliates make money. If CJ was stiffing affiliates everyone would be screaming and dropping them. I don't see that happening and I'm pretty tuned in.

Brad · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 08:08 PM

I thought the same thing that this could not happen. So I dug out the old black book and made a few calls. I spoke to a friend of mine that spear heads national advertising for a major company. I knew she had used CJ just for a good source of supplements ads to fill in for her in the past. I spoke with her this evening and she stated the just dumped any use of CJ for this reason and is investigating further the possible losses. I am shocked! Who can you trust in this whole thing? I first noticed a issue last week when there was a mass dump on my cj account I Emailed them and they said it was due to an error in tracking. I do not think they would purposely rip anyone off but I feel maybe they are having some tracking issues at this time and well that is bad when it affects your money!

Brad · #9 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 11:58 AM

Ok so after our chat I decided to dig deeper into this CJ issue. As many of the CJ users know they came out and said they had a severe lag time in reporting but it would be fixed by the 13th. It is suppose to be fixed now but i assure you it is not. I put some excellent tracking software into my site and it allows me to see all links that are clicked etc. and really goes in depth. Cj is currently running around 3-4 hours behind.

I also contacted CJ and voiced my concerns over reporting and tracking errors and received a response from them that said they had none. As I have gotten deeper into this I have been going back and forth with CJ and it seems like as of now they are sticking to there are no errors but we shall see as time goes on. I even pointed out where there are reporting errors clearly on their site. For instance my quick stats show my stats for yesterday but these stats are from 3 days ago and stated as yesterday. The gentleman over at CJ said he thought my conversions were really good and pointed out some numbers to me. I went and looked at the numbers and he quotes them off the total as you look at the detail report it gives the total which is clearly off from the report. I brought this up to CJ with no reply.

So in short nothing has changed outside the fact I have evidence there are some reporting errors and CJ says there is not. Please if anyone else notices this let me know!

Thanks

Brad · #10 (**permalink**) 02-16-2008, 11:20 PM

Please let me know if you are seeing reporting issues with cj. I am currently noticing a 8 hour lag time in performance reporting etc. If anyone else is noticing issues please let me know. I have a meeting with CJ on Tuesday on these issues and would like to know if this is possibly a widespread issue.

Thanks