4 Things To Look For In Choosing An Affiliate Network For Your Business

Written by Peter Lawlor Monday, 09 May 2011 07:12

I'm an affiliate marketer and promote products and services from a variety of companies using a variety of affiliate networks and affiliate software programs.

I'm an affiliate marketer and promote products and services from a variety of companies using a variety of affiliate networks and affiliate software programs.

I can say without a doubt that I have certain things I look for in an affiliate program. Specifically I look for 4 things.

First off, what's the difference between an affiliate network and affiliate software?

An affiliate network is a service that takes care of affiliate link tracking and affiliate commission payouts for businesses. It costs money to the company, but it saves a business from having to administer the affiliate program.

Affiliate software is software that a business uses to set up and run an affiliate program. A company uses affiliate software if they wish to manage their affiliate program themselves, including commission payouts and affiliate link tracking.

Why Should You Listen to Me?

Because I'm an affiliate, and in my view using a program affiliate marketers like is a good start. Your affiliates are your sales force online, and so in my view, my opinion is worth a lot.

4 Criteria to look for in an affiliate network

1. Very easy user interface

I prefer that it's easy to find your advertisers and then find affiliate links. It must be fast and easy - and every second counts in this business. The less time I, as an affiliate, must spend looking for the right affiliate link, the better.

2. Create Custom Affiliate Link URLs

I like it when I can create custom link URLs. I love this feature because often I like to link to a specific page on a vendor's website - depending on the topic of my article. The more customization, the better.

3. Video Affiliate Linking

Using videos that add tracking links in the video is a very powerful affiliate tool and sales tool. Affiliates then embed those videos into their website(s) and if a viewer clicks a link in the video and a sale is made, an affiliate garners a sale.

Video is an excellent selling tool and often results in high click-thru rates. The video affiliate marketing option is an outstanding feature.

4. Immediate Sales Tracking

I like being able to see commissions immediately upon a sale which is nice for affiliates who track sales daily (like I do). I like up-to-the-minute information on my sites. Information and analytics is powerful for affiliate marketers (and website publishers generally).