How to Get Started - Network Affiliates
Research – The first thing to do is look into the different affiliate networks, what they offer, what companies use them (I.e.: How many relevant companies are there for your business?), and how reliable they appear (E.g.: Are they well known, are there many people claiming to use them? etc)
Make Contact – Next you need to contact the network and tell them you are interested in becoming a ‘publisher’ (a site that displays the affiliate adverts). You will need to explain to them who your business is and will probably need to give details on your site, its’ statistics and visitors. If your site seems suitable they will usually send you more detailed information on the schemes available.
Find Suitable Schemes – Look through the schemes (in detail) to see which ones might be suitable for your site. You may have looked initially, but now you should have access to the details and terms of each offer (Including how much they pay!) so some may now appear more valuable than others.
Look Through Details – Check through all the details of both the network contract and the individual schemes; make sure they are acceptable. Make sure you look at everything.
E.g.: How long does payment take? ; Can You Check the Results as They Happen? , etc.
With most network affiliate schemes the ads will be ready for you to use immediately; although you can usually produce your own text links.
Sign Up – If all the details are acceptable then you need to sign up to the network. This may involve a process of acceptance based on the suitability of your site (including whether you bring enough relevant traffic in).
If you are accepted onto the scheme then you will probably need to complete a contract form with your details and the network details on. Make sure you check this matches the details you were given previously.
Once you have signed up to the network you will need to ‘apply’ for the individual affiliate schemes you wish to run. With some networks you have to complete a separate contract for each affiliate scheme; with others the one contract covers them all, and you just have to request to join new schemes.
Check the Ads – Unless you checked them when looking through the details; you need to look at the ads (or text if using text links) you will be using, and make sure they are good enough for your site.
Put the Ads Up – Most affiliate networks will use html adverts, which source the advert from their servers every time it is shown. This allows them to edit the adverts without requiring every affiliate to change them.
E.g.: To edit in the source code: In the frame where you would normally insert an image, you should be able to insert the html code; and this will display the ad.
To edit in advert display software, you will usually need to select “Html Advert” instead of “Image” or “Local advert”; and then paste the html code into the ‘html box’. This will use the code to display the ad.
Otherwise the adverts will likely be displayed as images as described in the ‘direct affiliate’ section above.
If the network you sign up to uses a different method they will be sure to explain it you in order that you can get the ads running.
Test the Ads – Once the adverts are up, test them; make sure they display correctly, that they go to the correct site and page (I.e.: Your tracking page/code), and that clicks/sales are tracking correctly. Do this as soon as possible after putting the ads up to ensure problems can be fixed (and won’t affect you too much in the meantime).
Article Index
1. How Can You Take Advantage of Affiliate Marketing?
2. Affiliate Marketing - Advantages and Disadvantages
3. How to Get Started - Making Money With Affiliate Marketing
4. Promoting Your Business With Affiliate Marketing
5. Promoting With Affiliate Marketing - Advantages and Disadvantages
6. How to Get Started - Promoting With Affiliate Marketing
