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Evaluating Internet
Evaluating Internet Businesses' Affiliate Programs
Not all Internet business opportunities are created equal. So, affiliate programs aren't going to be either. They're only as good as the businesses behind them. To develop a successful Internet business promoting affiliate offers you've got to identify the best affiliate programs in your target market. The businesses with systems that produce the most sales for the least effort and expense. This will take some time spent in research and testing.
But the work is worth it , because identifying the best affiliate programs is like finding successful small business franchises - free.
The businesses' owners will've already designed, tested, and optimized a sales & marketing system their affilate sales force can just plug-in to.
All affiliates have to do is refer enough qualified customers to the company's website. The math'll quickly tell whether the effort's profitable.
Here's a list of things to consider when selectng affiliate programs to promote in your business ventures:
# Make sure the website's tracking software works properly.
Some affiliate tracking software isn't as accurate as you'd like. Be sure your affiiate id is tracked accurately throughout the system all the way to payment.
# Look for an automated follow-up system promoting your Affiliate links.
Most sales conversions are made after several email follow-ups are sent. Not on the first visit to a website. You need Smart Autoresponders filled with follow-up sales letters that automatically go out to your referrals. This may be in the form of an email course, an ezine, or a newsletter that contains sales messages promoting your affiliate links. If you can access and replace the links with your own tracking urls, that's ideal. For full control have smart autoresponders installed on your own web server and create your own series of email follow ups.
# Affiliate Marketing tools.
Look for pre-tested ads and email copy, affiliate banners, satisfied user testimonials you can include in your own pre-sales copy, viral reports and ebooks, etc. (Where possible, personalize the affiliate programs' sales & marketing materials and add extra value to the offers, because in many cases you're competing with hundreds of other affiliates for the sale.)
# A strong Affiliate Management program.
A responsive Owner / Affiliate Manager who is easy to contact. Multiple forms of contact are best. Phone, online support desk, email. Main thing is quick helpful response.
# Internet Marketing Training.
Especially if you're counting on earning income from sales of Affiliates that you've referred to a program. Many will be new to the Internet Marketing business. They'll need training to be successful.
# Accurate visitor / sales tracking software system you can access online.
Affiliate's virtual office where you track the number of visitors you've sent, sales conversions, and determine what traffic & advertising sources are profitable or not.
# Multiple forms of payment being accepted from a secure server.
Major Credit Cards like Visa & Mastercard, Debit Cards, eCheck, Paypal, eGold, etc. The more options available the better.
# Strong backend products you profit from.
One sale should lead to another. Each product creates a desire for more.
# Long term credit for sales made later than the first visit.
Lifetime is best. A year is good. 6 months is so-so. Less than 30 days is risky because most people buy, not on the first visit, but after receiving 6 or 7 follow-up messages.
# Pay structure that's fair to you and to the company.
Win/Win.
# Multiple Payment Options
Check, Debit Card Deposits, Direct Bank Deposit, PayPal, eGold. You'll usually have a couple options about how to get paid.
# Quick payment schedule.
Look to get paid as quickly as possible. Most programs pay once a month. But there are several that pay bi-monthly and there are even a few where you can get paid daily.
# Low commission payout threshold.
Amount of sales commission you must earn before being paid.
# Residual income potential.
You can leverage your time and effort by selling subscription based services like Membership websites. Services that bill monthly and pay residual commissions, Look for opportunities to earn additional residual income by recruiting or referring other webmasters as Affiliates.
# Fast automated product fulfillment.
# Great customer service.
# Good reputation.
Obviously many good programs don't fill all of these criteria. But, the more support they do have in place the better your chances of building a successful small business income marketing on the Internet."
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