Amazon associates account for multiple sites

Orion · 15-12-06

Just wondered if anyone has had experience of running multiple websites with one amazon associates account.

I've got three sites that I'm currently developing and I have registered once with Amazon i.e. I have one Amazon associates account.

I know a friend of mine has bought enough goods from one of my sites that should result in my account having £40 commision

Unfortunately I've got a big fat £0

From a very poor email communication with Amazon I'm told that I had not added the secondary sites to my account and therefore didn't qualify for the commision. Being a fair minded chap I can think of it as a lesson learned, but I'm not very confident about the guidance given by Amazon i.e. they said I should list the secondary sites in the description of the primary site in my Amazon account profile.

Is this right?

I asked Amazon to confirm my thinking but they haven't replied. I just don't want to loose more commision learning another lesson.

Nosmo_King · 15-12-06

Now as I see it... Amazon discourage multiple ID's and recommend you use the same ID on multiple sites.

All I done was add additional sites in the description box and it seems to work OK.

Orion · 16-12-06

OK, thanks Nosmo_King. I don't see why they don't just have a section that lists all your secondary sites.

Ho hum ...

Orion · 19-12-06

Just for the record I did as Amazon instructed and I have started to see a trickle of commission. Not enough to retire on though

eskimo · 19-12-06

I used to run several sites just fine using the same associate id. But in the last 2 months or so, I fear things have changed.

You can ask to be given several associate ids and then give one to each of your sites. There is also an amazon run forum for affiliates that may be able to help you out.

Sammy aff · 20-12-06

easiest way to keep track is just run a js redirect from other sites to landing pages on you main site all id is the same, tracking is simple also. iframes or direct to amazon or whatever you prefer.

shyguy0507 · 20-12-06

Would echo above - you can request unique tracking ids from within the associates area from the contact form - they will email you back to ask for more info and once provided they will add it. You replace your associate id with your tracking id and then you can view reports based on tracking id (or site).

jc-uk · 20-12-06

I've been running multiple sites through the one amazon id for a couple of years now without any problems. As mentioned, you can request via email to have tracking-ids enabled on your account and use these in your associate urls. Reporting by them isn't the greatest though - I find the report interface a bit cumbersome.

I'm not sure if the new amazon astore works in conjunction with tracking ids though - you'd need to check that with them.

Jacqui · 20-12-06

You can set up an aStore for each of your sites via the interface by creating your own tracking ids instantly.

What I haven't tried yet is whether once you have created them you can use the id to build other types of link. Anyone else know? I don't see why not.