Best tracking solution for an affiliate network please?

[Azam.net]

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This query is on behalf of somebody else:

"We're looking to establish a UK-based affiliate network. We already have a stable of merchants, but are looking to consolidate the tracking used. We're not looking to compete with the established networks on the sort of merchants we use - essentially we're going to be using high-value finance programmes with perhaps up to only 50 affiliates on them, and find that paying a network override is prohibitive. The network doesn't need to be used for recruitment, but the more it can do, the better! It needs to be branded in our brand and obviously have a certain amount of credibility, usability and stability. There will be little in the way of co-reg etc, but more CPA, CPL and commission-based models, and it would need to accurately report any variables to accurately validate.

Options I've seen so far include DirectTrack and Kowabunga - does anyone have any thoughts on these, or any suitable alternatives?

Many thanks "

[epetoke]

Of the two established names you mentioned i would say scratch kowabunga off your list,, i've had bad experiences using them. Directtrack is probably your best bet but there is another player that is worth looking at http://www.leadhound.com/

[Shine]

I've looked at both of these, not as a network but as a merchant, and both suffer from a lack of UK support. I know in the wired-up affiliate world this shouldn't matter but for a fledgling buisness, being able to get hold of critical suppliers is essential. With the way the market is growing in the UK, I'm astonished neither has any semblance of a UK sales office or even a distributor.

As a supplier of network solutions, directtrack have at least some established credentials. Ocean, PrimeQ, Afform and others use them for just that.

Kowabunga have more creds in successful private merchant programmes, with the backup of the Kolimbo network, however, this is heavily US dominated, so whilst the private programmes might be good, the Kolimbo network has little value in the UK

Can't comment on leadhound I've no experience there.

Might be worth figuring out who are the big hitters in the Financial vertical forum and dropping them a note off-list. Whilst I'm a big fan of the networks in general, for a tight membership, high CPA programme, the decision will come down to the quality of the tracking as much as anything else.

I wouldn't discount network involvement though. High CPA, closed network stuff is their dream, you should be able to negotiate something considerably better than the usual 30%.

[Brendon]

I'd recommend you talk to Kowabunga. Whilst it's true that the software is US focussed, the tech team are excellent, and can do great things on the customisation front. Ask for Ryan, he's well trained The time difference can be a pain, but it means that they work through the night (from our perspective), and will work at weekends etc if necessary

Look at the MyCPAnet product, rather than MyAP - it's a separate codebase, from different stock. I've heard variable things about earlier versions of MyAP too, but I can assure you MyCPAnet is pretty solid

>> the Kolimbo network has little value in the UK

That's a bit unfair; talk to Dixon Jones at Receptional about this sort of thing, they hold the UK dealership for Kowabunga, although it's largely focussed on MyAP sales rather than technical support.

Depending on what the requirements are, I know where theres an affiliate network just hanging around not doing much

[Shine]

Should have qualified that a bit better. There isn't anything like as many programmes of interest on there as on other UK networks. However, as the override isn't there it means that for a private program this can go into higher commissions.

For a retail programme where much of the value of the network to the affiliate is in consolidating a lot of small payments it's not so attractive, but for a high CPA programme like finance or gambling it's probably not such a bad option.

[3wdl]

It may also be worth looking at Netklix - it's pretty much a software only solution at the moment and is quite well priced.

[asr_guy]

Haven't heard of Netklix - I'll need to review that one.

How about Shareasale or Zanox?

-Peter

[Azam.net]

I wanted to thank everyone for their very helpful responses.

Any other (low cost) tracking solutions for a (small) affiliate network?

Cheers.

[sgpratley]

I've been looking at some of these as a solution for tracking a few private deals I've set up with some small merchants. Does anyone have any experience of the Leadhound Network?

What I'm after is a bit arse about face, I'd effectively be the only affiliate on a network with many merchants. There are plenty of tools for one merchant with many affiliates, but not the other way round. If anyone knows any I'd be grateful.

Something like a good adserver script with post-impression tracking would be about right.

[KGP]

azam and sgpratley there are two solutions you can use.
1) alstrasofts affiliate network soft which comes at approx 200 quid
2) openads which comes free -open source- but needs great deal of customization

on both of the above i have no experience although i have been researching for a while on them.

the best solution in this area in my opinion is to create you own in house solution from scratch to suit your needs and wants accordingly