Should Merchants Use Multiple Affiliate Networks? It's a multi-dimensional issue that raises a variety of tracking and reporting questions and there is not a single answer that's right for every affiliate program.
In general (although it depends on the program) I recommend, at most, an in-house program and one network program. That way you can give affiliates the choice of higher payouts, longer cookies and more direct support with the Indie or the convenience of a network for the many affiliates that prefer that option. I really do not advocate merchants being on multiple networks. But that's just me.
Jeff Molander recently held a Paying For Performance Webinar where he posed the question to leading affiliate marketing veterans and managers including:
Donald Schamber, Online Marketing Manager, <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com">Vistaprint.com</a>
Carolyn Tang, Client Services Dir, <a href="http://www.shareasale.com">Shareasale</a>
Jonathan Miller, Founder, <a href="http://forgecorporation.com/">Forge Corporation</a>
Jamie Birch, Dir, Affiliate Marketing, <a href="http://www.converseon.com">Converseon</a> (formerly of Coldwater Creek)
Chris Sanderson, Managing Partner of <a href="http://www.amwso.com">AMWSO</a>
Their answers and a great discussion was just published over at Shop.org. If you are a merchant either already on or considering a multi-network strategy, this should be on your must-read list.
<strong><a href="http://blog.shop.org/2008/04/30/should-retailers-use-multiple-affiliate-networks/">Should Retailers Use Multiple Affiliate Networks?</a></strong>
<strong>Affiliates what do you think? </strong> All the discussion above was centered around what's best for the merchant. <strong>What's your stance on the issue?</strong>
In general (although it depends on the program) I recommend, at most, an in-house program and one network program. That way you can give affiliates the choice of higher payouts, longer cookies and more direct support with the Indie or the convenience of a network for the many affiliates that prefer that option. I really do not advocate merchants being on multiple networks. But that's just me.
Jeff Molander recently held a Paying For Performance Webinar where he posed the question to leading affiliate marketing veterans and managers including:
Donald Schamber, Online Marketing Manager, <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com">Vistaprint.com</a>
Carolyn Tang, Client Services Dir, <a href="http://www.shareasale.com">Shareasale</a>
Jonathan Miller, Founder, <a href="http://forgecorporation.com/">Forge Corporation</a>
Jamie Birch, Dir, Affiliate Marketing, <a href="http://www.converseon.com">Converseon</a> (formerly of Coldwater Creek)
Chris Sanderson, Managing Partner of <a href="http://www.amwso.com">AMWSO</a>
Their answers and a great discussion was just published over at Shop.org. If you are a merchant either already on or considering a multi-network strategy, this should be on your must-read list.
<strong><a href="http://blog.shop.org/2008/04/30/should-retailers-use-multiple-affiliate-networks/">Should Retailers Use Multiple Affiliate Networks?</a></strong>
<strong>Affiliates what do you think? </strong> All the discussion above was centered around what's best for the merchant. <strong>What's your stance on the issue?</strong>