Choosing an Effective Affiliate Program - Part II
| Category: Affiliate Marketing - Basics | Date: 2003-06-23 |
Here is a checklist that you can use to evaluate different affiliate programs.
1. Quality Product.
Is it a good product? Always purchase the product and use it. Determine if it has "real value". Does it make your life or job easier as promised? Was the purchase process smooth and uncomplicated? There are a number of products and services out there that you may not want to be associated with. Choose carefully.
2. Customer and Affiliate Support.
Determine up front the company's support structure. Find out who you can call when problems arise. Who handles customer complaints or questions? This is a big one, if you are not familiar with a product, it is often better to let the company provide all the customer service. Or at least be confident that there is a resource available for you to find the needed information.
3. Inventory Management.
Do you have to carry inventory of a company's product, or do they deliver? When you're just beginning with a new product, you do not want to carry any inventory. You want to be able to forward your order to the company, and have them fill the order. Down the road, you may determine the product sells well and it is to your advantage (a bulk discount on a large order for example) to carry a small inventory of the product. Of course, most Internet based affiliate programs will meet this criteria.
4. Payment Details.
Who actually collects the customer's money? You or the company? Some of us do not have a choice. If you can not accept credit cards, or do not yet have a business bank account, then it is best to let the company collect the moneys. This often means a smaller commission for you. However, it also saves you the potential complications of dealing with refunds, credit card fraud, etc.
5. Sales Tracking.
How are you notified of orders? If you collect the customer's money, then you will know of every single order that is placed. But if the company collects the money (usually this means they provide customer service), then make sure there is a foolproof system in place that guarantees every sale is properly credited to you. This can be done through coded order forms, that email you and the company to announce the purchase.
6. Sales Support.
Does the company provide sales literature or a web site for you? Often, companies have been in the marketing game for a while and have tried and true advertising literature available. This can help you in getting started quickly.
These are six important elements of an effective associate program. They can help you avoid costly mistakes and wasted efforts in promoting programs that just do not work!
About the Author
Kevin Needham Publisher of Active Internet Marketing. inetexchange.com/inet-mailer.htm Business Intelligence for Successful On-line Marketers Subscribe today to the free A.I.M Ezine. subscribe-Inet-Mailer@send.memail.com
kevin@inetexchange.com
http://www.inetexchange.com/inet-mailer.htm
1. Quality Product.
Is it a good product? Always purchase the product and use it. Determine if it has "real value". Does it make your life or job easier as promised? Was the purchase process smooth and uncomplicated? There are a number of products and services out there that you may not want to be associated with. Choose carefully.
2. Customer and Affiliate Support.
Determine up front the company's support structure. Find out who you can call when problems arise. Who handles customer complaints or questions? This is a big one, if you are not familiar with a product, it is often better to let the company provide all the customer service. Or at least be confident that there is a resource available for you to find the needed information.
3. Inventory Management.
Do you have to carry inventory of a company's product, or do they deliver? When you're just beginning with a new product, you do not want to carry any inventory. You want to be able to forward your order to the company, and have them fill the order. Down the road, you may determine the product sells well and it is to your advantage (a bulk discount on a large order for example) to carry a small inventory of the product. Of course, most Internet based affiliate programs will meet this criteria.
4. Payment Details.
Who actually collects the customer's money? You or the company? Some of us do not have a choice. If you can not accept credit cards, or do not yet have a business bank account, then it is best to let the company collect the moneys. This often means a smaller commission for you. However, it also saves you the potential complications of dealing with refunds, credit card fraud, etc.
5. Sales Tracking.
How are you notified of orders? If you collect the customer's money, then you will know of every single order that is placed. But if the company collects the money (usually this means they provide customer service), then make sure there is a foolproof system in place that guarantees every sale is properly credited to you. This can be done through coded order forms, that email you and the company to announce the purchase.
6. Sales Support.
Does the company provide sales literature or a web site for you? Often, companies have been in the marketing game for a while and have tried and true advertising literature available. This can help you in getting started quickly.
These are six important elements of an effective associate program. They can help you avoid costly mistakes and wasted efforts in promoting programs that just do not work!
About the Author
Kevin Needham Publisher of Active Internet Marketing. inetexchange.com/inet-mailer.htm Business Intelligence for Successful On-line Marketers Subscribe today to the free A.I.M Ezine. subscribe-Inet-Mailer@send.memail.com
kevin@inetexchange.com
http://www.inetexchange.com/inet-mailer.htm
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