Using Multiple Affiliate Programs as a Merchant?

Web Hosting Plan · #1 17-10-2009, 05:47 PM

As you know I am new and was thinking of signing up to alot more than just 1 affiliate network. Is that normal?
Frowned upon?

Fraught with danger? - Maybe paying commission twice if they visited more than one of my affiliate connections?

Can you guys give me some thoughts before I go and sign up with everyone I can find?

Thanks

Matthew

Gavin · #2 17-10-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Web Hosting Plan

Can you guys give me some thoughts before I go and sign up with everyone I can find?

You would need quite a bit of coin to do that

as commision monster charges 1200 odd and others can be up to 2000 to setup with.

taken you would get affiliates who only deal with certain networks, but some will frown upon you using multiple networks and not promote you at all...

Web Hosting Plan · #3 17-10-2009, 09:00 PM

Gavin - thanks for the thoughts. I thought there might be others like CG but am only really looking into it right now as we speak - so those that cost $$$ to join would not be my first choice...
Having said that any that have MASSIVE coverage are in scope.

Thanks for the point about having multiple and the risks associated with that. I have not thought it all the way through yet

hence the reason for asking.

PeterH · #4 18-10-2009, 07:19 AM

Hi Matthew,

I'd recommend you find some potential affiliates before signing up with any network.

Go with the network that they use.

There's no point in joining a network that has no affiliates that promote in your market.

Hope this helps,

Peter

Web Hosting Plan · #5 18-10-2009, 09:40 PM

Peter,

Thanks for the tip. I did actually do exactly what you said for one of my other businesses for that reason but the thing with a host is that everyone needs one!

So It makes it a bit harder but I will take that into consideration.

Regards

Matthew

Rachel David · #6 16-11-2009, 08:11 PM

I agree with peter point. It's better to choose potential affiliate program instead of signing up in everything.

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Affiliate Marketing

Gavin · #7 16-11-2009, 08:24 PM

Web Hosting Plan you might also find this forum helpful for getting advice also, if your looking for other avenues

akoulianos · #8 17-11-2009, 02:06 PM

My opinion is that given your industry, you need specialist sites to publish your content, otherwise you will get clicks but not many conversions. We have found this with Carbonite Online Backup. Lots of publishers but the click through and conversions are low. We have spent time looking at ways to target PC repair businesses etc that would benefit by advertising Carbonite. Its improving but we have a long way to go.

If you aren't selective or if you don't target businesses, you get lots of online shopping sites wanting to publish you. Its free advertising but the sales aren't there.

Anyway that is my opinion and experience to date.

Web Hosting Plan · #9 05-12-2009, 04:55 PM

thanks guys. for some reason this thread did not alert me to any updates

Gavin - I know that forum well there is also an Australian one by the same people but it is not as popular .

fintan · #10 07-12-2009, 04:19 AM

If you plan to use more than one affiliate network, make sure you have a system in place to de-duplicate commissions.

For example:
1) You don't want to pay 2 affiliates (one on each network) for 1 customer
2) You don't want to pay the same affiliate twice (affiliate has dropped 2 cookies) for 1 customer

While this sounds crazy, its common for rookie merchants to get caught out if they dont have the right systems in place.

bcl · #11 07-12-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fintan

If you plan to use more than one affiliate network, make sure you have a system in place to de-duplicate commissions.

For example:
1) You don't want to pay 2 affiliates (one on each network) for 1 customer
2) You don't want to pay the same affiliate twice (affiliate has dropped 2 cookies) for 1 customer

While this sounds crazy, its common for rookie merchants to get caught out if they dont have the right systems in place.

And if you use conditional tracking to do this, make sure that you think it through and get it right. You also must tell your affiliates so that they can ensure that all their links are coded appropriately. I've seen several merchants get it very, very wrong.

Moldydish · #12 07-12-2009, 10:18 AM

Considering the problems of signing up to multiple programs - is it less expensive and in the end less complex to create you own inhouse program?

Just asking out of interest - I know Im nowhere near doing such a thing. Just taking in ideas and info until action plays some part in my plans.

At present though the thought of an inhouse program is a complex to me as making up my mind which niche I wish to really market (have a few)

fintan · #13 08-12-2009, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moldydish

Considering the problems of signing up to multiple programs - is it less expensive and in the end less complex to create you own inhouse program?

Just asking out of interest - I know Im nowhere near doing such a thing. Just taking in ideas and info until action plays some part in my plans.

At present though the thought of an inhouse program is a complex to me as making up my mind which niche I wish to really market (have a few)

Its not difficult to set up with an affiliate network or two, neither is setting up an inhouse programme.

It all depends on what a merchant wants to achieve.