Tracking Commissions

izak · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Long Beach

OK, I am on the steep learning curve here, devouring the SAH and still have a little confusion. But, the SAH has been a huge eye-opener and it iis this that I have been looking for so long. Thanks...
Question: If I approach a merchant that is not signed up with a CJ, then they can get their own software if they don't want too go thru a CJ. right? But then I get confused as to whether or not I need to have a software program to keep track of the commissions on my end in order to prevent getting ripped off from the merchant. How does this work? It seems that so far, I will need to be prepared for this as most of the websites I want to promote do not have affiliate programs set up at this point.
Thanks for any response,
Izak

Rosalind Gardner · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

Hi Izak,

Happy to hear that the Super Affiliate Handbook has been an 'eye-opener' for you!

If you're just starting out, I'd highly recommend finding merchants who do have affiliate programs through one of the large networks.

I'm successful only about 1 in 10 times in convincing a merchant that they need an affiliate program... unfortunately.

If the merchant you want to partner with has a stand-alone program (outside a network), search to see how many affiliates are advertising that program. If there are LOTS, then it's a safe bet that their reporting is good, and you won't have to worry about getting ripped off.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Ros

izak · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Long Beach

Thanks for the reply. I am looking into other sites that are already affiliated (as per your suggestion) with a slight tweek to my niche for the income. But also, I might go ahead and set up a link to the sites that don't affiliate for a short period of time till I can calculate the number of hits they get from my site. Once that number is too good to give up, I'll offer them the affiliation once more and turn them off if they don't affiliate with me. How about that tactic? Ultimately, I am trying to be optimistic about getting sites to affiliate with me. Really...
Thanks for the anwer to my previous question Rosalind. Much appreciate it.
Izak