When entering the world of affiliate marketing, it can be a daunting task to determine which program to use. Finding products to sell as an affiliate marketer isn’t always as easy and straightforward as it sounds. What should you look for when promoting an affiliate program?
Outlined below are five areas to keep in mind.
Payment Plan
You want to look for a program that matches the compensation you are looking for. Affiliate programs that pay out both a steady smaller income as well as a percentage of sales are some of the better options out there.
Also check to see if there is a minimum requirement before getting paid, such as reaching a set amount of funds earned or a minimum amount of referrals.
Do not waste your time with sites that do not give you this basic level of income. Make sure you can easily achieve those requirements regularly to maintain a constant flow of income.
Program Quality
Here are some things to look for regarding program quality:
Is the program you are going to sign up with targeting a growing audience?
Is there an ensuring demand for your referrals (ie. an evergreen product)?
Is it associated with experts in the field you are promoting, giving a high standard to the program’s quality?
Researching these areas before you begin is a wise use of time.
Technology Available
Some programs have developed their own tools and resources that can assist you in growing the business in the quickest time possible. Other programs have real-time systems where you can check your earned income and referral data.
This will help keep you motivated since you can see your results when you need to. It will also help you determine if a change in marketing strategy is needed or if the one you have implemented is paying off.
Long Term Viability
When a program incentivizes customers to make additional purchases, or for members to renew or upgrade their subscriptions, the number of customers retained tends to increase. By keeping these customers satisfied and coming back for more, your business grows.
Quality of The Goods or Services
You should always check out the products you are selling yourself before choosing to sell them as an affiliate. In addition to determining that it’s of high quality and encourages repeat customers, selling a product you believe in is much easier and more pleasurable than the alternative.
Word of Mouth
Once you have provisionally decided on an affiliate program, see what others are saying about it. Make sure that it is not a pyramid scheme or other illegal scam. A quick search on Google should turn up any feedback (both positive and negative) from other internet entrepreneurs who have used the program.
How do you go about locating an affiliate program?
Do a search on Google for your keyword and “affiliate program”. For example, if you are promoting weight loss supplements, search for “weight loss supplement affiliate program”. Your search results will include information about various programs that are available for this niche.
While some product vendors have their own affiliate programs, there are sites where many different vendors offer their products for affiliates to promote. Commissionjunction.com or clickbank.com are two examples. These sites list an almost endless number of products and services, along with their individual popularity and current commission rates from which you can choose.
