At What Point Do You Stop Promoting A Merchant?

[-Kammy-]

Hey people

This is aimed at the more experienced heads on here.

I have a pretty simple question - if a merchant does not perform well, how long before you look elsewhere?

The reason I ask is because the main merchant for one of my main websites is frankly performing....not good.

This was not the case for the last few months when it did very well in terms of EPC - however this month I have sent more visitors than ever before but had way less conversions. My EPC is probably 1/10 of what it. That is a BIG difference. I honestly think the quality of visitors sent is just as good.

I can't even understand this myself since they did so well when I first promoted them.

But I am not sure if I should move on - could someone give me tips on how to best make my decision?

Thanks

[99MWD99]

Lots of things to check really.

Are you still getting the same targeted traffic? (check your referral keywords) and also check the merchants site - sometimes they are sneaky and add telephone numbers on web pages halfway through checkout

[Elaine]

I'd ask both the network, if you're using one, and the merchant if they can throw any light on the problem - and then if nothing comes from that - ask on here if anyone's having the same problem with that particular merchant ..

surprisingly sometimes it takes Networks and Merchants a hefty shove before they actually delve into a problem and find there's a tracking issue

[KirstyM]

Agree with Elaine's comments above. I've got a couple of merchants who have seen a bit of a dive in conversions this month, but nothing on the scale you're speaking about.

Perhaps also ask them to do a test sale via one of your links to reassure you tracking is working correctly? Also, I would follow the order process with your merchant as far as possible to see if theres anything obvious you can see that might be the cause of your issue.

Good luck, its annoying when conversions take a dive and you can't find a reason why!

[theitgirl]

I've got a couple of merchants who have several 'email to purchase' links on their sites. I've written to both about this but have never had a response - suprise, suprise!

But I don't see how they can run an affiliate programme when they have that kind of thing on the site... or is it just me?!

[Travel Pixel]

Things to check up on if conversion suddenly drops:

- Are sales tracking correctly - ask for a test.
- Has a brand bidder slimed in?
- Has a phone number been sneaked in?
- Has the merchant got a voucher code box at checkout which prompts user to look for a voucher?
- Check seasonality
- Check links are landing properly
- Check quality of traffic remains the same.

Dave

[stu-art]

Are the products that you're promoting seasonal at all?

[-Kammy-]

Thanks for the replies everyone, really appreciated

It is very odd what is going on - checked today, and yet again, no sales! The EPC is veeery low..

So I contacted the network, just waiting for a response - its the weekend now, so might have to wait till Monday.

Just to answer a few questions...

- The product is not seasonal
- There is a phone number there - I am ok with this, the merchant did have it originally but never 'promoted' it. A few months back they did start promoting it, but it did not affect my sales...who knows, maybe it has now
- There is a voucher code box - The codes are all expired. I asked for some, got no reply. This is a problem, because if you search in Google an infmaous website comes up. The one where you click to see the code! I really do not see the point in the box if there are no codes!!!
- The clicks are showing
- Quality of traffic seems to be better if anything...a lot more 'buys', 'cheap', 'sale', 'guide' - all of this


The problem with this merchant is they NEVER have replied to my emails that I have sent them in the past. I started promoting them and only kept them since they converted very well. Now it is no longer the case - I may just change my website an move on. But it could be a tracking issue so we will see..

And I will try and get a test sale done!

Thanks again

[ceetee]

If the decline began at the beginning of November the most likely cause is Christmas spending unless you have 12 months data showing otherwise. I see it happening every year.

But just in case there's a technical goof up, put something in the shopping cart using IE7 and see what happens.

[tiger325]

To see how a product will move ..use ppc and check the results

[Dave@Profitistic]

Kammy,

May I ask what sector the merchant operates in?