Myth, Must or Maybe

Since my previous post about affiliate marketing as a revenue source for websites, I have received questions from readers about a variety of scenarios. In each case, specific details were asked about the set up for affiliates and the mix of technical and marketing aspects involved.  I’d like to share these case studies with you.

Scenario 1:

You have an online information website or business, with no downloadable products for sale. You wish to compliment your site with relevant affiliate eBooks or other downloadable products, so that you can earn affiliate commissions on sales.Suggestion: Investigate a suitable affiliate network such as Clickbank, Linkshare or Amazon. Limit your selection to just one network. Check the affiliate network for quality of downloadable products, commission payments you are entitled to earn, and the experience your website visitors will have when they purchase one of these affiliate products from your website.
Level of interaction required from you for each sale (after set up): nil
Will visitors leave your website when they purchase the downloadable product?:  yes

Scenario 2:

You have your own downloadable information product(s) available to sell from your website, and wish to promote the sales to a larger network of affiliate resellers who will display your product for sale on their website or blog. Suggestion: Select an affiliate network that has an appropriate list of resellers who will promote your product online. Some affiliate networks such as Clickbank come complete with payment gateway and console that displays your hits and sales performance.
Level of interaction required from you for each sale (after set up): nil
Will visitors leave your website when they purchase the downloadable product?:  yes

 Scenario 3:

You have a downloadable eBook or information product and want to attract more visitors and buyers to your website where this product is made available.  Suggestion: Set up your own affiliate management area on your website, where potential affiliates can apply to join as a reseller of your product(s). You then have the advantage of managing and motivating your affiliates and sharing resources and tools, to help them sell more of your products.

Setting up an affiliate management centre on your website sounds a lot more complex than it really is and is a worthwhile option when you have more than one product/service for sale on your website. You also have the option of adding drop shipped products to your online store.
Level of interaction required from you for each sale (after set up): nil for downloadable products, dispatch for tangible products and delivery confirmation for drop ship products.
Will visitors leave your website when they purchase the downloadable product?:  no

Each of these scenarios have been set up and operated successfully by our clients.

This expands the opportunities available to us, to enter global markets whilst living on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.