http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:35:08 GMT vBulletin 60 http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com:80/images/steel/misc/rss.jpg http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/ http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19948-question-about-my-homepage.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:13:50 GMT I am a new merchant and was wondering if I should use a sales-copy type homepage on my website. I have heard that they can be very effective, I just think that they look so cheezy! You know, the ones with the red font, blue font, bold, italics, etc. you know the ones. Maybe that's just me though.

What do you guys think?

Have you guys had any more success using this type of sales copy?

Thanks ]]> LiveFast http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19948-question-about-my-homepage.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19896-any-advice-would-great-thanks.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:18:19 GMT Hello my name is Anthony and I am entirely new to the affiliate world. I am reading as much as I can on the topic and trying to get as much advice from you guys as possible. My website is done, and my product is an energy supplement (I created it, its a legit one!!) and I am still in college.... Hello my name is Anthony and I am entirely new to the affiliate world.

I am reading as much as I can on the topic and trying to get as much advice from you guys as possible.

My website is done, and my product is an energy supplement (I created it, its a legit one!!) and I am still in college. I would like to get this affiliate thing together before I graduate!

I have set it up with 1shoppingcart as a two tiered program, is this a good idea?

Also, where/how do I go about finding quality affiliates that would be interested in my product?

May I post my website here for you guys to give some constructive criticism?(I do not want to break and rules so I thought I would ask first)

Again, I am entirely new to this world so any and all advice/mentoring/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Anthony
LiveFast ]]> LiveFast http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19896-any-advice-would-great-thanks.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19789-splitting-commissions-between-affiliates.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:51:19 GMT Our company lunched Split commissions feature in our own affiliate program and it immediately started huge discussion between us and our affiliates. The same feature will be able to use also our customers, but before we will release it I would like to discuss with you our experience from last few... Our company lunched Split commissions feature in our own affiliate program and it immediately started huge discussion between us and our affiliates.
The same feature will be able to use also our customers, but before we will release it I would like to discuss with you our experience from last few hours.

What is common decision process of our customers:
1. Customer reads somewhere, that there is anything like affiliate marketing
2. Customer search for affiliate software (e.g. on google), maybe he clicks on Adwords campaign of any affiliate
3. Customer wants to compare product with multiple competitors - he visits software comparison site
4. Later he reads forums and asks about opinion on selected software other users
5. etc ...
As you can see, decision process of customer can be shaped by multiple affiliates.

Until now affiliate softwares assigned commissions just to first or just to last affiliate, which referred sale.

We started maybe as first affiliate program reward all our affiliates working on same sale ... so also affiliates, which got nothing in the past get commission (smaller but gets at least something)

BUT Interesting thing: Now some of our affiliates are unhappy, that they got smaller commissions .... Some of them got commissions, which they will never get in the past and they are still unhappy .... isn't it paradox ?

We are sure, that it is now much more fair for all affiliates, but not all our affiliates understand it in same way.

Does anybody here any experiences about similar problem ?
Or do you have own opinion ? ]]> unitminer http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19789-splitting-commissions-between-affiliates.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19701-affiliate-network-vs-house-affiliate-software-merchants.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:21:28 GMT One of the most common questions I am asked here, on other forums and on consultation calls is "should I go with a network or get my own affiliate tracking software" So here is a post that lists some pros of network vs. in-house affiliate tracking solutions.

PROS of Affiliate Networks
(I'm talking retail product networks like CJ, not CPA networks or info product network like Clickbank)

1) Trust - Affiliates may not know or trust your company, but they hopefully consider the network they are already used to working with, a trusted 3rd party.

2) Payments - a) The network pays the affiliate, which overcomes a big trust issue. b) The fact they issue payments is a time and headache saver for the merchant. c) Affiliates get consolidated commission checks. So even if they only made $20 from your program and 30 from another they'll still get a check. They like that! :p

3) Time Savings, Convenience (FOR AFFILIATES) - Networks are a HUGE advantage for affiliates. Instead of logging into muliple merchant sites each with different logins, different software, different reports - they can login to one network - pull links, banners, run reports - all from one interface they are already familiar with, for ALL the different merchant they are partnered with.

4) Time Savings, Convenience (FOR MERCHANTS) - Set up is much easier with networks. Commissions are handled for you. Some support issues could possibly be diminished.

5) RECRUITING - the biggie in my mind. I think it was Brian Tracy that said, "find out what your customers want and GIVE it to them". Well I say the same goes for affiliates. "Find out what affiliates want and GIVE it to them!"

Lots of affiliates are on networks because they want to trust they'll get paid and want the convenience of a network. So it's MUCH easier to do recruiting on a network. (I do affiliate recruiting for a living, so I know.) :p

Thousands of affiliates are already there. You don't have to go out and find them all, many will find you. You still need to do proactive recruiting, but affiliates are much more likely to join if you are on a network.

Plus most of the top networks have options for you to do affiliate recruiting and/or promotion within the network for an additional fee.

PROS of Indy's (In-house programs)

1) Transparency and Control - The primary reason some merchants want an in-house program with their own software is to have more transparency and control. So if that's really important to you then in-house may be an option.

2) Cost - Some in-house programs are fairly inexpensive and there are no ongoing fees like networks charge. (But you get what you pay for. Look at all the benefits you'd be missing above.)

So now you see why I lean toward affiliate networks for most programs in general, although when I do consultations I can take individual merchant needs and requirements into account and sometimes may recommend an in-house solution.

To discover what affiliate network and tracking software I typically recommend and why, click here.

Anyone else have anything else to add? I'm sure I forgot something. ]]> Linda Buquet http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19701-affiliate-network-vs-house-affiliate-software-merchants.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19658-conversion-rates.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:48:43 GMT Good morning.

I've been asked by a merchant to evaluate their affiliate program. They have tons of traffic, so I believe the problem is conversion.

Does anyone have guidelines to share for conversion rate standards? What percentages are poor, average, good?

Without going into alot of details, price point is $10-$18, traffic is 500M/month.
Thanks. ]]> eagletouch http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19658-conversion-rates.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19571-new-affiliate-program-owner-looking-ways-get-more-affiliates.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:47:10 GMT Hello group, I am brand new to this forum. I basically searched google for affiliate programs and was looking for directories and advertising to get my program noticed and this looked like a good place to start. I was wondering if any other Merchants out there would be willing to share some... Hello group,

I am brand new to this forum. I basically searched google for affiliate programs and was looking for directories and advertising to get my program noticed and this looked like a good place to start.

I was wondering if any other Merchants out there would be willing to share some techniques and tips on how to successfully market their programs and gain more affiliates.

I have been able to get about 4500 people to join my program but have made far fewer sales. I know it could be the product but lets assume that is great and I just haven't been able to get exposure, so what should I do?

Thanks,
Mark ]]> widgetquik http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19571-new-affiliate-program-owner-looking-ways-get-more-affiliates.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19466-no-online-store.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:12:30 GMT Hi Just a quick question.... do i need an online store to start an affiliate program to sell my product? Hi Just a quick question.... do i need an online store to start an affiliate program to sell my product? ]]> Lomax http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19466-no-online-store.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19453-marketerschoice-com-quickpaypro-com.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:06:25 GMT Is anyone familiar with these two affiliate tracking services. Can you provide and positive or negative feedback? Thank you, Michaelk Is anyone familiar with these two affiliate tracking services. Can you provide and positive or negative feedback?

Thank you,

Michaelk ]]> Michaelk http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19453-marketerschoice-com-quickpaypro-com.html http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19452-affiliate-tracking-software-service.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:03:04 GMT Hello,

I looking for a solid & reputable Affiliate Tracking Software or Service that can track affiliates two levels deep. If you can make any recommendations it is apperciated.
Thank you,

Michaelk ]]> Michaelk http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5staraffiliateprograms.com/merchant-affiliate-manager-discussions/19452-affiliate-tracking-software-service.html