Friday, May 18, 2012

Selecting Affiliate Programs 101

After working like crazy marketing your affiliate site, you see some decent traffic rushing to your affiliate site. Mission accomplished? Not quite. It's now time to select and sign up affiliate programs. So welcome to Selecting Affiliate Programs 101.  In this class, I am going to show you  a few principles you need to use to choose out of the thousands of affiliate programs populating cyberspace. They all look enticing, not to mention the salivating commissions that some of them offer. But do they relate to your affiliate site? Here are a few principles to consider when selecting affiliate programs for your site.

Affiliate Program Should relate to Site Focus
Make sure your chosen affiliate programs relate to your affiliate site.  Your affiliate site must have a focus or a theme which meshes with your chosen affiliate program. It does not make sense having an affiliate site about dog food  while you decide to promote  laptops..  It doesn't make any sense. Instead, sign up for affiliate programs that promote your favorite dog food. It will spare you numerous days of hair pulling. Or if you have a Forex site,  why not sign up for Forex affiliate programs?  You will be saving yourself enormous heartache that way.

Integrate Links Into Your Content

Affiliate programs work best when affiliates are woven into your content.  It tempts readers to click on the links that way. Let's say your site is about affiliate marketing, Super Affiliate Rosalind Gardner's Super Affiliate Handbook  will fit in just fine. A lot of affiliates have gained success using this method . In fact, it's a whole lot better than splashing banners all over your site. That's an absolute turnoff to readers. you can also use links in your product reviews as well. In fact, you will make a lot of money that way since you've tried the product and are in a better position to tell your readers your experience using this product.

Affiliate Program Must Also Relate to Your Readers Interests
Not only must your affiliate program relate to the focus of your affiliate site, but  your affiliate program must also relate to to your readers interests.  Your readers want information that relates to things they want.  If  your site is about laptops, try joining an affiliate program promoting laptop accessories and electronics. Your readers will obviously be looking to parts for their laptops, so you providing this service will be perfect for them. Or if you have an affiliate site relating to parenting, Try an affiliate program promoting toys.  I'm sure there are parents looking for toys to give to their kids and they'll definitely thank you for your kindness.

Generous Commissions
We are all in Affiliate Marketing to make money aren't we? so choose affiliate programs that pay you generous commissions. Affiliate programs with high item prices tend to pay high commissions, although not all do likewise. In fact some pay you peanuts, so watch out! Another factor worth considering is: does your merchant pay your commissions regularly and on time? The element of trust is absolutely crucial so you will be better served doing some research on their punctuality as far as paying on time is concerned. Try finding out at affiliate marketing forums. you should get information concerning the reputation of your prospective merchant.

Some affiliate programs pay you lifetime commissions. Meaning that, you get paid for repeat sales from the same customer. It's a great way of making money as you don't need to do much in this regard as the same person keeps buying from you. You just sit back and relax and watch it happen.

Affiliate Program's Performance
Before you start filling the sign up form, you need to evaluate your affiliate program's performance. Through your analytics, how many people are clicking on your  banners and links. This should clue you in what your visitors are interested in so you can explore ways of increasing sales. You also need to understand that good click -through rates does not translate into sales, so monitor your affiliate programs very carefully. If your product is doing well, find ways of of maximizing its exposure on your site and  better its performance. However, if you feel, it's not performing we, just drop it like a hot potato and find an alternative substitute.

That's a wrap on "Selecting Affiliate Programs 101" Make sure your selection of affiliate programs is influenced by the above principles. Do that and you should be laughing all the way to the bank.





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