Making the decision to start an affiliate program is a good one. While a lot of people either aren't aware of how powerful an affiliate program can be, or don't think that they are worth the time, if you run your program properly you will see just how profitable they can be for you and your business. Still, it's important that you make a couple of crucial important decisions from the first day you start an affiliate program. Let's look at some of your options.
There are many options when it comes to launching your own affiliate program, and most people start with one of the big affiliate websites. These are actually a pretty good place to get started, and there are still lots of people who continue to make large amounts of money without ever switching to their own affiliate program that they create independently. Essentially, the large sites are websites like Commission Junction, ClickBank and LinkShare that create open marketplaces for product creators and potential affiliates can find each other.
There are many options when it comes to launching your own affiliate program, and most people start with one of the big affiliate websites. These are actually a pretty good place to get started, and there are still lots of people who continue to make large amounts of money without ever switching to their own affiliate program that they create independently. Essentially, the large sites are websites like Commission Junction, ClickBank and LinkShare that create open marketplaces for product creators and potential affiliates can find each other.
These sites can be great, but don't expect to maximize your profits if you just post your product on the marketplace and forget about it. You need to perform some affiliate program management no matter what method you select, and no matter what the sites promise you.
If you don't want to join one of the larger sites, you can always join one of the smaller affiliate sites. The pros of these smaller affiliate sites is the fact that they tend to be more niche oriented or more selective with who they let in, which generally puts you in contact with higher quality and more focused affiliates to work with.
If you don't want to use one of these websites you can also find some affiliate program management software and create your own network. There are pieces of software that you purchase once, and those that charge a monthly fee for their services.
Finally, you always have the option of hiring someone else to manage your own affiliate program for you. There are plenty of people out there with lots of experience and success managing affiliate programs that are ready, willing and able to take over your affiliate campaign for you. While I don't necessarily recommend this as the best option, if you have the money to get through the first couple of months of the program before it becomes profitable enough to pay itself, this can be a good option for people who just don't want to put in the effort themselves.
