Work with an affiliate network to make extra money from your site and broaden your brand power. Affiliates networks connect merchants and affiliates and provide commissions reports and, in some cases, marketing management and design services. The largest networks provide complete service packages or a la carte services for everything from banner templates and widget placement to marketing development consulting.

Offer your visitors additional products and services without the extra operations expenses. Take care to avoid multi-level marketing programs claiming the benefits of affiliate marketing. Look for companies with a strong selling product and do not purchase inventory upfront.

Consider these affiliate network options:

1. Join a popular affiliate program.

2. Use affiliate network software solutions.

3. Get professional affiliate network information from providers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose from an affiliate network list

With many popular affiliate programs to choose from, look for options that fit your goals and company culture. Match your products and services with an affiliate program offering experience with your industry. And look for conveniences like weekly payouts and dedicated account reps for added value.

I recommend: Webgains is an affiliate marketing network offer new for improved management controls, unparalleled reporting, role-based user access, customizable interface and rich help systems. Plus they pay weekly. Join IncentReward’s affiliate network for access to hundreds of both cost-per-action and cost-per-sale offers, the highest payouts in the industry with multi-tier payment options, NET 25 schedule assurances, real time tracking and managed support for targeted offers to increase click-throughs.

Start your own affiliate network with software solutions

Generate extra profits with revenue sharing advertising between merchants and their affiliates. Merchants choose to pay per sale, click, lead or impression and approve transactions and affiliate accounts with auto setups. Affiliates promote the merchant's services or products via email, links, banners or flash ads and get paid a fixed percentage or amount for every sale. Software solutions offer tracking for links displayed, the number of visitors and amounts paid as well as manage commission payments. Run your own network of merchants and affiliates and make extra money online with this pay-per-performance method.

I recommend: Affiliate network software from AffiliateShop offers a full range of affiliate marketing solutions. There are three subscription levels to choose from, and AffiliateShop offers a free one-month trial. AllAffiliatePro’s affiliate software product includes features like multi-currency, multi-level marketing, recurring commissions, true personal branding and fully customizable appearance from CD or download. AllAffiliatePro offers in-house solutions or managed hosting packages for corporate or small business needs.

Work with an affiliate network provider

Affiliate network providers can offer not only payouts and reporting but also experienced network marketing advice and design staff. Consider programs working with the big brand names to strengthen your image, but be sure to ask for scalable offering to meet your needs while you grow.

I recommend: From Intermark Media online marketing services, COPEAC affiliate network offers top payouts, quick payments, real-time reporting and a 24-hour emergency hotline. Look for provider extras like the Ace system, optimization technology guaranteed to increase conversion percentages, and a creative development team of experienced designers and creative professionals. LinkShare is a full-service online marketing provider offering affiliate network marketing services for e-commerce business in markets including real estate, education, automotive, financial services, insurance, mortgages, dating, telecom and business services. Also look for search and lead generation and LinkShare’s technology innovations for professional results.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you run a nonprofit organization, find affiliate network solutions for managing online contributions and event promotions.