What makes a good Affiliate program?

[moogie]

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The question is- if a choice of giving a discount was in place would many Affiliates pass this on as the commission levels to them from the Merchant would go down as any money in this pot would have to come out of the commission payment?
I do think it is a very good idea and would make things very competative indeed although managing it all could be a nightmare but saying that it would be up to the Affiliate concerned.

[watcher]

"Sort of an up front cashback site alternative, now there's an idea..."

That is my EXACT point. Let the affiliates decide if, and how much of their commission they want to give to the user ! If an affiliate wants to keep all the commission , that's fine. The ability to CHOOSE is important.

Such links would allow affiliates that don't run cashback sites to compete with cashback sites. Providing the merchant payment system can handle the setup, it is quite efficient. No investment required by the affiliate in sophisticated tracking and payment systmes, which means they can offer a greater share of their commission, and the users gets instant benefit !

I would SNAP the hands off any affiliate program that could offer such links.

I know of a mobile phone program that will be doing something similar in the New Year - and I can't wait !

[renegade]

Originally posted by renegade"Sort of an up front cashback site alternative, now there's an idea..."
Originally posted by watcher That is my EXACT point. Let the affiliates decide

I have discussed this directly with a few merchants in the past when haggling for exclusive discount vouchers and currently do this with a few independent merchants - I simply take a lower commission in return for the voucher, works fine for indies, but not something that's currently built into the networks.

[Jenny]

Originally posted by Mogga
There is a merchant somewhere which allows you to chose how much discount you give people...
Sadly my memory isn't what it was but I'm sure I'll remember sooner or later.

There used to be a car hire quote engine, think it was secure reservations. You could choose discount off set against commissions.
Jen

[watcher]

Economics will force this type of link to become the standard. Early movers will get the greatest benefit.

[jess1]

the guys who are working hard getting sales I will really concentrate on.

I feel that the affiliates I concentrate on are the ones who have yet to make sales and the ones who have a few sales coming through. These guys n gals need the most support. The affiliates that are generating good commissions, I need to provide the tools. Our top affiliates dont need me to tell them what to do and how their website should look, but they do need to know what products are selling, when we are having sales,product feeds and much more but less consultancy (for want of a better word)
Some affiliates may be tired of hearing me say this, but the small affiliate of today could be our highest earning affiliate tomorrow!
Too many merchants ignore these affiliates and they will remember who supported them when they were first starting out.
A good example I can think of. Two years ago it was, Handbag a top affiliate, great wow,fantastic! Now I could have ignored, lets call him Miffy (great name), who was generating a couple of sales. I could have put all my efforts into just Handbag and other big brand portals. The tables turned! Miffy is now one of our top 20 affiliates and Handbag lost the plot! (no offense handbag).
The thing you need to keep in mind is that affiliate marketing changes, like a winding river, it twists and turns, waterfalls, white water and you have to learn to steer your program through the rapids. You need to look at every affiliate as a potential. That banner farm needs a little helping hand. That is the job of an affiliate manager. We know our products, our target market,what converts and when. Affiliates should know who their visitors are and target their traffic to selected merchants that match.
Oh I say, I have rattled on. But I am sure you get the gist.