Affiliate Programs-how to choose and be safe

Affiliate programs are the source of income for the Affiliate Marketer. So, choosing an affiliate program is important. But you will be surprised, and then again, maybe not, that it is more than money you need to be concerned about. Granted it is important, if you don't get paid, but if you put an affiliate program up on your site and find it is scamming people -- it could possibly cause loss creditability for yourself and your website. That's when you need to go into overdrive- explain, if appropriate, why you are removing a site from your website.

Here is an article that I have written that gives you an idea when you should be seeing red flags, or that gut grabbing feeling when something is not quite right. When you first begin, the naive side is more pronounced in some cases, because you are new. That gut feeling may not be there - but get burned once, or maybe several times, and you will learn.

Don't think you are alone in getting burned - I'm sure many have felt the sting of a rip-off, whether you want to fess-up to it or not. It makes you feel, well, stupid, embarrassed, and then angry.

Hopefully, my article "Affiliate Programs-Good, Bad and Ugly" will give you some insights as to what to do, and watch for while building your affiliate marketing business.


Affiliate Programs-Good, Bad and Ugly
By Vickie Scanlon


What do you need to be aware of, if you want to become an affiliate marketer? You need to be aware of the good, the bad, and the ugly in the affiliate realm. I would have to say the good is, making money from reputable businesses. But the bad/ugly side of affiliate marketing are those companies or individuals that are not reputable and whose only purpose is to cut and run with the money,leaving customers and affiliates alike with nothing.

So how do you choose an affiliate program and what do you need to be aware of in the affiliate world?

Where do you begin
Be aware of what types of programs are out there. For instance, some people have thought that they have just joined an affiliate program when in fact, they have joined an MLM program. What is an MLM program?

MLM programs -- these are not true affiliate programs. MLM programs first and foremost, want you to recruit people. Yes, your customer has to buy the product to join. But the keyword here is "join". And, in most cases, the products are not the best, or of much value to many people. Translated, MLM is a legal pyramid scheme, in which the majority of the people will fail, while those at the top--the owner of the business who supplies the products, will see the majority of the profits. Look past the hype, and think long and hard before you put time, energy and money into an MLM venture.

You may be agreeing with me, but at the same time thinking, "yes, but they offer so much". Granted they may offer a website (which has your name, but of which you have no control over. Who knows, they may even offer leads. Think twice about "leads". For the newbies out there, you need double opted in leads. Why-To protect yourself against being called a spammer and from being hit with a fine. The best way to get double opted-in leads is through your own hard work on your own website. Building your list person by person.

If you have to pay to get into an affiliate program - it's not an affiliate program!

Check the affiliate program out
1) Check for the length of time the business has been around. If it is new (less than six months) and not a brick and mortar business before opening up shop on the Internet, a red flag should go up. Why less than six months? If the site is legitimate, it will still be there, but if it is up to no good, you will quickly find others on the Internet getting the word out to warn others.
2) Reputation of the business or individual (ebooks)
3) Customer service (for products)
4) check out their website - Do they have a method in which you can contact them?
5) Send them an email. Do they respond?


Commission Rates
If you see a commission rate that is extremely high, warning bells should be going off. Granted, ebooks and software is one area in which you can possibly get 30 to 50% commissions. But, you still need to do your research. Why? Even though you are anxious to make money, you still have to protect your business, and with it, your reputation.

Check the Affiliate Program For:
1) Holding time before getting your commission check
2) Customer satisfaction (please realize that not everyone is going to be satisfied with the service. But if you see more complaints than praises) you might want to back off.
3) Minimum amount you have to reach before getting your commission check.

Some companies even offer 2-tier programs. 2-tier programs gives you the opportunity to earn both commission and residual income. The residual income, comes from those who you referred to the affiliate program. The residual income is small, but it can add up slowly, since it can be reoccurring.

My advice with 2-tier programs -- do not suggest or encourage others to join the program until you have seen a commission check yourself. If the company pays, then promote the affiliate program.


Checking On An Affiliate Program
Before putting an affiliate banner or link on your website, you should first do some research. Which means checking for proof of the quality of the affiliate program, product and business. How do you do that?

Here are some helpful hints:
1) Go to Google, Yahoo and other search engines and see what people are saying about the company. For example: "JoeShoeShop" + scams or "JoeShoeShop" + reviews. This will give you the flavor of the business, how it treats their affiliates, and their customers.
2) Check the Better Business Bureau, WhoIs, etc.



Affiliate Brokerage Firm
I've found that going through what I call an Affiliate Brokerage Firm (example: Commission Junction, Linkshare), allows some protection.Since they have to work with the owner of the affiliate program, the customer, and the affiliate marketer - you know that there has to be some protection, or they would not be in business very long.

However, one sure indicator that something is amiss with an affiliate program is if you are seeing numerous chargebacks. I would suggest that you remove your links and banners from your website until you complete your research on the manner. Even contacting the affiliate brokerage firm may be another avenue to use, if you think something is amiss.


To conclude, the promotion of affiliate programs around your website theme is a great way to make an income. But, as with anything, do your own due diligence. Why? Affiliate Marketing and your affiliate programs is your business.

About the Author:
Vickie J Scanlon -- Visit her site at: My Affiliate Place for tools, how to info of affiliate marketing, scam reporting directory, where to find affiliate programs to join, tech accessories, security software and computers for the online business.articles.