When considering joining an affiliate program, it’s essential to ask yourself—and potential partners, the right questions to ensure it aligns with your goals and values.
The following questions in this article will help you evaluate the program’s structure, reliability, and overall fit for your affiliate marketing strategy.
When you understand these key aspects, you can make a more informed decision before applying.
The affiliate marketing industry is expected to reach $15.7 billion by the end of 2024, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 18.86%, demonstrating its significant role in digital marketing. Source: Shopify
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Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
1. Commission Structure
2. Minimum Contract Length
3. Value Measurement
Key Metrics to Ask About
Why This Matters
Be Cautious
4. Cross-Device Tracking
Why It Matters
Questions to Ask
5. Product Review Availability
6. Attribution with Other Channels
7. Network Affiliations
8. Affiliate Program resources
Why It Matters
Questions to Ask
Tracking Methods
9. Affiliate Program Longevity
10. Maximizing Opportunities in High-Revenue Industries
Understanding Emerging Partner Categories
Wrapping It Up
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about the billing structure of the affiliate program?
How long is the minimum contract period?
Do you provide products for review?
Are there any restrictions on coupon affiliates?
How is sales tracking handled across different devices?
Can I do sponsored posts or media buys?
How do you measure the value generated by affiliates?
What networks is the affiliate program associated with?
Key Takeaways
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Understand how the billing structure works to avoid unexpected costs.
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Ask about the minimum contract length to ensure it suits your business plans.
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Inquire about the tracking methods used for sales and leads across different devices.
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Find out if you can get products for review, as this can help you create better content.
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Ensure the affiliate program has a strong reputation and does not work with adware affiliates.
1. Commission Structure
As an affiliate marketer, one of the first things I look at when joining a new program is the commission structure. Understanding how I’ll be paid for my efforts is crucial to ensuring it aligns with my business goals and strategies.
Here’s what I focus on:
1. Revenue Share vs. Other Models:
Many affiliate programs operate on a revenue share model, where I only get paid if I generate sales. While that can be enticing, it’s important to evaluate the fine print.
2. Incentive Models:
Look for affiliate programs that offer various incentives. A well-balanced program might offer performance-based bonuses, tiered commissions, or other perks that help me grow as I drive more results.
This can lead to a better fit with my brand and ensure we’re both working towards common goals.
Rewardful outlines how various commission structures such as Cost Per Acquisition (CPA), Cost Per Click (CPC), and Cost Per Lead (CPL) work in affiliate programs. For SaaS companies, revenue share models are popular, incentivizing affiliates based on sales generated. Source: Rewardful
Nearly half of affiliate programs (48.9%) offer flat-rate payments, while 42.4% offer percentage commissions, providing flexibility in how affiliates are compensated. Source: Shopify
My preferred model is revenue share. I get a percentage of the sales I generate – 30% to 50% most of the time.
I do a mix of high and low ticket offers.
2. Minimum Contract Length
When considering an affiliate program, one important question to ask is, “How long is your minimum contract length?” This question is crucial because the length of the contract can greatly affect your success as an affiliate.
A longer contract often means a stronger relationship with the brand, which can lead to better support and resources.
Here are a few reasons why you should think about the minimum contract length:
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Relationship Building: Longer contracts allow you to build a solid relationship with the brand, which can lead to better collaboration.
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Branding Consistency: A longer commitment helps maintain consistent branding, which is essential for long-term success.
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Performance Insights: Short contracts may not provide enough time to gather meaningful data on performance, making it hard to assess the effectiveness of your efforts.
3. Value Measurement
Understanding how an affiliate program measures value is key to your success. You need to know how they track the impact of your efforts.
Key Metrics to Ask About
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New Customers: How many new customers are generated from your affiliate links?
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Customer Lifetime Value (LTV): What’s the average value of customers acquired through affiliates?
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Touchpoints: How many interactions does it take before a customer makes a purchase?
Why This Matters
Knowing these metrics helps you gauge how effective the program is and how well your efforts are contributing to the brand’s success.
Be Cautious
Be cautious of programs that promise high revenue without considering factors like inventory and marketing. Such forecasts can be misleading.
4. Cross-Device Tracking
When you’re promoting products, it’s crucial to know if the affiliate program has cross-device tracking set up.
Without this, you might miss out on commissions if a customer switches devices before making a purchase.
Scaleo emphasize the need for cross-device tracking to ensure affiliates are credited for sales, even if customers switch between devices. This technique provides a more comprehensive view of customer behavior and optimizes marketing strategies. Source: Scaleo
Why It Matters
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Cookies don’t work across devices. If a customer starts on their phone and then switches to a desktop, the cookie from the phone won’t carry over.
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If most of your traffic is mobile but most purchases happen on desktops, this could be a big issue for you.
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You need to ask how they track actions across devices. This could include using unique identifiers like email addresses or social media logins.
Awin highlights the importance of cross-device tracking in ensuring that affiliates receive credit for conversions, regardless of the device used by customers. This capability increases transparency and optimizes campaign performance. Source: Awin
Questions to Ask
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Is cross-device tracking set up?
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What specific actions are tracked across devices?
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How do you collect and store unique identifiers?
If the affiliate manager can’t answer these questions clearly, it might be a sign that their tracking isn’t reliable. Make sure you’re working with a program that values accurate tracking to protect your commissions!
5. Product Review Availability
When considering an affiliate program, one important question to ask is about product review availability. This can greatly impact your ability to promote products effectively.
Here are some key points to consider:
Can you request products for review?
Don’t hesitate to ask if you can receive products for review. However, be ready for a possible no. Many affiliate managers receive numerous requests, so having a solid traffic record can help your case.
What is the process for obtaining products?
If you don’t have products to review yet, ask how the affiliate manager can assist you in getting them. They might help you build your traffic first, which can lead to product opportunities later.
How do product reviews fit into your strategy?
It’s essential to understand how product reviews can be integrated into your content. You want to ensure that your reviews are genuine and not just promotional fluff.
I’m focused on promoting digital products, so there is no need for me to request physical products for reviews. Most digital products provide a free trial to test the product. Personally, I use most of the tools I promote for my business.
Golden rule: Always test the product before recommending it to your audience. This is an important lesson my mentor taught me when I started in this field in 2020. Would you sell the product to your mom, grandma, or best friend? If not, don’t promote it.
6. Attribution with Other Channels
When you’re looking at an affiliate program, it’s important to understand how they handle attribution with other channels.
This means figuring out how they credit sales that come from different sources.
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First-Click vs. Last-Click Attribution: Some programs may give credit to the first click, while others might use last-click. This can affect your earnings significantly.
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Cookie Duration: Check how long their cookies last. A longer cookie duration might mean you miss out on commissions if someone clicks your link but doesn’t buy right away.
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Cross-Channel Tracking: Ask how they track sales across different channels. If they can’t do this well, you might not get credit for your efforts.
7. Network Affiliations
When considering an affiliate program, it’s important to ask about their network affiliations. This can help you understand the reliability and reach of the program.
Here are some important points to consider:
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Multiple Networks: If a program is on several networks, it can complicate tracking and commissions. You might lose sales if different networks are involved.
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Reputable Networks: Look for programs that are part of well-known networks. This often means better support and resources for you as an affiliate.
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Adware Affiliates: Ask if they work with adware affiliates. These can interfere with your commissions by replacing your tracking cookies.
8. Affiliate Program Resources
When selecting an affiliate program, the availability of resources can make a significant difference in your success. Programs that offer the right tools can simplify your promotional efforts and help you drive more conversions, ultimately boosting your earnings.
Why It Matters
Having access to high-quality resources, such as marketing materials, data analytics, and promotional tools, saves time and helps you promote products more effectively. With proper resources, you can create professional-looking content, track your performance, and optimize your strategy to align with audience preferences. Programs that invest in their affiliates’ success through support and training can also help you stay competitive in a crowded marketplace.
Questions to Ask
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What Marketing Materials Are Provided?
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Does the program offer banners, images, and email templates to help you create appealing promotions?
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Are There Analytics and Reporting Tools?
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Can you access performance data such as clicks, traffic, and conversions to help improve your strategy?
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Is Affiliate Support Available?
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Does the program offer tutorials, guides, or account managers to assist with onboarding and ongoing success?
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What Promotional Tools Are Offered?
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Are there special deals, discounts, or exclusive offers you can use to attract more customers?
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Can I Customize My Promotions?
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Are there options for personalized links, widgets, or tools that fit your specific audience?
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9. Affiliate Program Longevity
When considering an affiliate program, it’s important to think about its longevity. A program that has been around for a while is likely to be more stable and reliable.
Here are a few reasons why longevity matters:
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Trustworthiness: Older programs have established a reputation, making them more trustworthy.
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Experience: They have learned from past mistakes and successes, which can benefit you.
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Support: Long-standing programs often provide better support and resources for their affiliates.
To help you assess the longevity of an affiliate program, consider these questions:
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How long has the program been active?
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What is the program’s growth trend over the years?
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Are there any testimonials or case studies from long-term affiliates?
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Has the program undergone any major changes or rebranding, and how were they handled?
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What is the program’s track record for paying affiliates on time?
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Has the company behind the program maintained a consistent product or service offering?
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Are there any signs of decline in customer or affiliate satisfaction over time?
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Does the program offer continuous updates or improvements to keep up with market trends?
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What do industry reviews or expert opinions say about the program’s long-term reliability?
I’m always looking for long-term relationships when joining a program. One of the best experiences I’ve had is with AccessiBe.
The affiliate manager truly cares about their partners.
First, I had an onboarding call, and regularly, they keep in touch with me, and we connect via video calls. It’s very helpful because they are always there for guidance.
10. Maximizing Opportunities in High-Revenue Industries
Maximizing Opportunities in High-Revenue Industries
When selecting an affiliate program, it’s crucial to consider the industries that dominate the affiliate marketing landscape.
According to Kinsta, the retail sector leads with 43% of total affiliate marketing revenue, followed by telecom and media at 25% and travel and leisure at 16%. For affiliates, aligning with these high-revenue industries can significantly increase earning potential. Source: Kinsta
Why It Matters
Choosing programs within high-revenue industries allows you to tap into larger, more engaged audiences.
Retail offers a broad range of products, telecom and media are essential in the digital age, and travel and leisure attract niche audiences with high purchasing power.
When focusing on industries that already generate significant affiliate revenue, you can boost your chances of conversions and profitability. Additionally, programs in these sectors often provide better commission rates and more robust resources for affiliates.
Questions to Ask yourself:
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Are the Products a Good Fit for My Audience?
Does the program offer products that align with your niche and cater to your specific audience within these industries?
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What Are the Industry-Specific Conversion Rates?
Retail and travel sectors can have varying conversion rates. Understanding these rates will help you evaluate the potential profitability of the program.
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Does the Program Offer Seasonal Opportunities?
Do industries like retail or travel have seasonal peaks, such as holiday sales or vacation periods, that you can capitalize on?
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Are the Commission Rates Competitive?
In competitive industries like telecom, it’s essential to ensure the commission rates are in line with other programs in the market.
Wrapping It Up
You understand now that asking the right questions before joining an affiliate program is key to your success. It helps you understand how the program works and if it fits your needs.
By being curious and seeking clear answers, you can avoid potential pitfalls and find the best partnerships.
A good affiliate program should be open and willing to share information. So, take your time, do your research, and choose wisely.
What other questions do you think are essential for evaluating affiliate programs? Let me know in the comment section.
If you have any questions, I’m here to help.
Happy affiliate marketing!
Laurence
Ps: Launch your own real-deall affiliate marketing business in 7 days. Free Masterclass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about the billing structure of the affiliate program?
Understanding how the affiliate program charges is crucial. Some programs only take a share of the revenue, which might not always be in your best interest. It’s better to find a program that has a balanced billing structure.
How long is the minimum contract period?
Knowing the minimum time you need to commit is important. Longer contracts often mean better relationships and more stable earnings.
Do you provide products for review?
Asking for a product to review can help you promote it better. However, be ready for the possibility that they might say no.
Are there any restrictions on coupon affiliates?
It’s important to know if the program works with coupon affiliates, as this can affect your marketing strategy and earnings.
How is sales tracking handled across different devices?
Understanding how sales are tracked on various devices can help you optimize your marketing efforts.
Can I do sponsored posts or media buys?
Inquiring about sponsored content can give you insights into additional ways to earn through the program.
How do you measure the value generated by affiliates?
It’s important to know how the program measures success. Look for specific metrics rather than just overall sales.
What networks is the affiliate program associated with?
Knowing which networks the program is part of can help you understand its reach and reliability.
Source: fractalmax.agency
