What are the decisive factors that eventually lead to the joining of a web site publisher or owner, as an affiliate? It is not just a question that gets reflected in the minds of advertisers and networks, but an in-depth inquiry of how affectively the whole process of affiliate marketing can be practised.
Affiliate marketing, like other marketing initiatives tends to increase the demand of a product or service by spreading awareness about them. The whole activity can sometimes result in an instantaneous response and make the sale then and there. Say, a web site provides some books and an audience member reaches the pages and orders a book. The efforts of the publisher have resulted in immediate action.
The advertiser or merchant, who actually provides the book, gets a sale and therefore profit. A part of the profit is shared with the best affiliate program or publisher who helped in selling the book. In the over all process both the merchant and affiliate gains something -- profit on a sale or commission. So, who pays the price?
If you would observe it carefully you will get to know that the price has to be paid by the buyer. As in advertising, the final price takes into consideration the advertising and marketing cost that are involved.
When the price is to be paid by the buyer or customer, it would be unhealthy practice by an advertiser or network to have the major portion of the profit. Best affiliate programs go to the extent as providing up to 90 per cent of the sale profit to the affiliate. Because of that margin, a large number of affiliates can actively participate in the marketing and selling process. The small profit that the merchant makes when multiplied by a large number of affiliates yield a good total. Does it mean that more commission percentage is good for affiliate or for merchant?
Affiliate program may be good enough to attract the publishers but then it needs to be promoted also. That is why commissioning structure sometime provide for multi-tier earnings. By referring the program to other people, the affiliate may be doing the promotion of the program itself. However, multi-tier programs have lower earning commission at the first level.
A combination of the two gives you something affiliates would really be interested in. An best affiliates program with good commission structure and higher earning at the first level would be the best deal.
Author Meenakshi Wali is the co founder of Rupiz Media, Rupiz Ads & Rupiz Affiliates, a leading online media buying agency. She is heading a team of experts, which is into best affiliate program, search engine optimization, online advertising, affiliate marketing.
