The first thing to do when deciding to make money as an affiliate is to choose the correct program. Often people spend too much time working out what to specialise in, and how many companies to use, that they forget the most important things. Consider this venture as your job and set about deciding what you want in the same way. If you try to get this wrong, there will be big problems from the beginning.
You may feel you are working for yourself, but there are others making decisions about your fee. You want to make sure that you are getting paid on time and getting the right amount. You also want to know about the history of the company you will be working for as an affiliate. So, if you want to get in at the beginning of a new venture, then fine. But if you are more comfortable with an established program, ensure that you shop around until you can find one.
Check your terms and conditions regarding what the network can and cannot do. Can they change the rate of pay, can they change the date you are paid and will there be anyone available to answer these questions for you? Now that you know what is important to you, you can start looking for networks. It will be a good idea to start with products you are familiar with.
Even if you have not used it yourself, are there good write ups, is it on a good site, and are you happy to be associated with it. Trust is important and if you let someone down, word will get around even of the problem is not your fault. Make sure you are getting the best deal you can and not just the one that pays the highest rate. See if there are any conditions regarding payment – limited number of clicks or sales etc., and make sure you are aware of the chargeback policy.
Finally if you are working on a sales basis rather than just a click, make sure the site is easy to use. You don’t want to be driving customers to a site that they will give up on in a few minutes because it is hard to navigate. If the owner does not want to encourage customers to make a purchase, why should you waste your time?
