Network for selling a software product

[sgpratley]

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Does anyone have any recommendations about networks who would be good for promoting a software product that you can buy online?

The product is software to run on a GPS enabled mobile phone, it tracks your movements when doing sports like skiing, cycling or running and allows you to see things like how far you're travelled, how fast you went, how high you climbed (or fell) , and you can also upload the data to share it on the web.

I know that oneNetworkDirect push this a lot, but I've no experience of them from the merchant side.

Any pointers gratefully received.

[Steved]

From an affiliate point of view Digital River's OneNetworkDirect are my favourite software network. Tracking is excellent, affiliate support is great, and the system is easy to use.

I don't have any experience of them from a merchant point of view but I think you need to be running on their backend software to be able to use their network, it's not just a matter of adding some tracking code to the checkout page. That said, I have seen other merchants create some landing pages just for a few of their products.

Digital River also run the Regnow network though, could be worth checking out.

[WiganWebs]

Not thought of using Clickbank?

Is the software downloadable? i.e:- you can put it onto your phone via bluetooth after the download?

[Azam.net]

oneNetworkDirect and Clickbank are two of the best options.

[sgpratley]

Thanks guys, they're the two I'd looked at. I thought Clickbank just did eBooks though? I've looked at it in the past and it all looks a bit, well you know, the 'g*****' word.

Digitalriver bought Directtrack though I'm not sure if oneNetwork is running on it yet. I've seen the back end of that which is OK, I'm more interested in the support from the network as it's a worldwide programme.

Tezza, you can download to PC and install from there on Windows mobile phones. Not quite sure how the Java version works tbh, I've tried the windows version myself and will happily bore anyone who'll listen with how great it is. They already have their own indy programme which I'm looking at this week for some offline partnerships using short URL's. If it looks robust enough I'll drop you a link.

[John Jupp]

OneNetworkDirect definitely. Nice worldwide option.

[WiganWebs]

I've seen all sorts of software on clickbank, keyword tools, SEO software, niche finders, etc. I have never tried many, just sold ebooks a while ago to test the clickbank water. I've had a few good results. I think Clickbank, although still heavily used, has slightly decreased in popularity over the last year.

These softwares still have the ebook sales page approach, thousands of lines of brain-washing sales pitch that will hypnotise you into buying them. Most allow the 'try before you buy' approach.

Still, it may be another option for you to consider if you run out of avenues to explore.

Has anything been implemented to protect the software from torrent sites? I.e:- activation online by purchasing a key to unlock the software before running it?

Allowing resellers could be another option as some people prefer to control a price rather than having a set commission, such as dropshipping.

Other than that, have you not considered setting up an independant program?

Terry

[sgpratley]

Hi Tezza,

Just trying to suss out the worthwhile options at the moment. There's already an indy programme which is being used to give url's to some offline partners, but I wanted to see if there was an avenue to a 'ready made' set of affiliates in the software sector. Onenetwork looks like the most likely option so far, but there are some others with relevant sports programmes.

The software needs a license key which is generated online after a trial period , it's only marginally interesting without an account on the portal site, so that side of it is sound enough.

[joedavies1987]

Clickbanks a dirty nasty place mostly... you'll have all the affiliates bidding on your product name with ads like: "[YOUR PRODUCT] is a scam! read this review. i reveal all!"

Your best of with digital river, at least they have that nice try before you buy option, and you wont hve to conform to the hypnotizing sales letter approach.

I wish there was a UK digital product network.

[John Jupp]

Well Digital River (OnenetworkDirect) although based in Germany, their staff speak English and they produce creative in English with geotargetting to the Uk and elsewhere, OK so payment is in Euros but I've got a Euro bank account set up with a High St bank so taking payment in Euros is fine and it means that anything I earn I shall have a supply of Euros instantly for business in Europe.

[WiganWebs]

I do admit, I have gone right off using clickbank quite some time ago, although I did make some good sales but its all about promoting the right product, like most affiliate marketing.

Some of the EBooks on there are scams, hence the reason why they dont get the good promotion a legit ebook/software should get.

It sounds secure enough, having to create an account online. Are your serials tracked so they can only be used once?

You say it is only marginally interesting with an account on the portal side? An idea would be to create a limited freeware program with restricted options to use on the clientside (obviously making it more interesting), this may give more exposure to your product and a lot more natural backlinks to your product. This also helps you to be able to use two forms of marketing to its limits in aff marketing and word of mouth/natural backlinking by promoting both products.

This is, if you are getting your software listed on the likes of tucows, etc, where they list the software as freeware/shareware. I think the word 'freeware' holds a lot more power over the word 'shareware' so offering two versions of the software may help you to market the product better.

If people think you are 'giving' away your software then they are more likely to post your link on forums/review boards, more likely to get visits, more likely to make sales on your enhanced version + free natural backlinks.

However, how easy/hard this would be is beyond me, I just hope its a good idea Is it possible to create a limited clientside version of the software without having to sign up for an account?

I know some software creators have offered their product for free from day 1, only to build their fanbase and get naural linkage via word of mouth, then after about 3/4 'patches' start to charge for it once they have their product 'exposed' to the internet and have a fanbase. Although this may not be something you are prepared to do

However, it sounds like a good business venture and I wish you luck.

Terry