Affiliate Networks vs. Affiliate Programs
"The first mental hurdle is distinguishing between in-house affiliate marketing programs (merchants) and affiliate networks."Some beginners use these terms interchangeably; however, they are not. Assume you create an affiliate website centered on outdoor recreational equipment, offering things such as trampolines, water slides, lawn activities, and so on. You would then have the option of joining several (or hundreds!) affiliate marketing programs for various manufacturers and providers. Alternatively, you may just join a network that will connect you with the bulk of the product suppliers you wish to engage with. The most logical first step for someone new to affiliate marketing is to join affiliate networks and work from there. However, affiliate networks are not a panacea. Some affiliate programs, in fact, only operate outside of affiliate networks, so you'd have to sign up for them separately. My favorite example was when I first began as an affiliate marketer, specializing in replica lightsabers. True story: I used to sell toy lightsabers and make a lot of money. Master Replicas was the firm behind them, and they had an excellent affiliate program. So I had to sign up with them directly because they "owned" the prop and replica lightsaber business at the time. Years later, they went to an affiliate network, but the compensation was lower and the terms were terrible, so I let the affiliate site die of heartbreak. as well as broken affiliate links. So we'll look at both sides of the equation.
First, the best and most popular affiliate networks; second, a diverse choice of affiliate programs that are sufficiently general to apply to most audiences. When you initially start in affiliate marketing, you should keep things as simple as possible for yourself. This involves signing up for affiliate programs that not only make sense but are also well-managed and well-designed. After all, the last thing you want to deal with is an affiliate program with a horrible user experience. Creating affiliate links or uploading a banner might be a nightmare as a result. I've been that soldier, sobbing over my computer because the brains behind a particular affiliate program designed an interface so complicated that the only person capable of "solving it" would have to be a cross between Stephen Hawking and Doctor Strange. Affiliate networks, on the other hand, do not have that difficulty; their purpose is to make your life as easy as possible in affiliate marketing. Because if you're not producing money (i.e., passive income), neither are they nor are their clients. Having said that, there are just as many in-house affiliate programs that serve as the affiliate marketing equivalent of the Sistine Chapel. But the point we want to emphasize here is that ease of use should be a factor when selecting an affiliate program. When you have a little more skin in the game, it won't be as much of an issue. From time to time, things will go awry. Links will cease working, or you will wonder why last month's sales report appears to be upside down. That is precisely when you will require the assistance of a dedicated affiliate manager. Affiliate networks offer a modest advantage in this regard because you may rely on their support staff in addition to the affiliate manager for any program-specific questions. Just remember that affiliate managers are like face-to-face managers in that some are excellent and others are dreadful. Before you sign up for any affiliate program, always ask what type of help you'll get, such as whether you'll have a special affiliate manager. "Jack, the guy from IT handles that," is not the type of response you want or should accept. Find out not only how much you'll be paid by a particular affiliate program but also when you'll be paid.
Most affiliate programs are Net 30, but some are Net 60 and even Net 90. What the above means in plain English is that most affiliates are paid 30 days after making a sale, but others don’t get paid for 90 days. Waiting that long for your affiliate money is unreasonable, especially if you have bills to pay. It is important to carefully consider the payment terms of an affiliate program before committing to it. Waiting for 90 days to receive your affiliate money can be quite inconvenient, especially if you have financial obligations to meet. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize programs that offer shorter payment cycles, such as Net 30, to ensure a more timely and consistent income stream.
I am a 48 years young entrepreneur. I live in Philadelphia Pa.
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