A Brief Description of Affiliate Marketing
An affiliate marketing programme is one in which a business provides a reward to an affiliate for each sale or visit which is directed to them by the affiliate. Although affiliate marketing predates and exists outside the world of online marketing, today the term usually refers to the use of advertising banners, links or other product information on one website which directs visitors to products or services offered by others. The host of the advertising is then rewarded by a commission for each sale or visit received because of the affiliate’s advertising efforts. This could be either a flat fee for the visit or sale or a percentage commission based on the value of the product or service sold. In its essence, affiliate marketing is the selling of products or services offered by others and then being paid for each sale or lead.
Essentially, there are three main types of online affiliate marketing:
Pay Per Click: Each time a potential customer opens a merchant’s website by clicking on an affiliate’s link or banner advertisement, a certain amount of money is deposited in the affiliate’s account.
Pay Per Sale: Every time the merchant makes a sale as a result of advertising on the affiliate’s website, a percentage commission is paid to the affiliate.
Pay Per Lead: Each time a potential customer signs up online to receive (for example) marketing mail or email product updates, the affiliate receives a pre-determined amount from the merchant.
In just a relatively short period, the growth and popularity of affiliate marketing has expanded so that it is now seen as a significant force in selling products and services on the internet. Thousands of affiliate marketing programs are available that can integrate with almost any type of web content and numerous eager entrepreneurs have built their business model on affiliate marketing.
Merchants – We Can Help YOU!
PROTECTION – Affiliate marketing is not to be undertaken as a DIY task, however, what you have to recognise is that the majority of affiliates who you may acquire will very much be from a ‘cottage industry’ background, working from a bedroom with a laptop, following certain terms and conditions, or approaching affiliate marketing in an ethical manner is not always top of their priorities, thus, you could potentially haemorrhage money without being aware of certain pitfalls.
CAPITALISATION - As previously mentioned, affiliate marketing for a merchant isn’t a DIY task, as using the wrong affiliate network, hooking up with the wrong types of affiliates or incorrect commission rate levels can leave you scratching around for pennies in profit. We can help you from start to finish in creating your perfect affiliate strategy, ensuring margins are maximised and that only the best affiliates are acquired, while other ‘black hat’ affiliate marketeers are kept clear of.
