Affiliate marketing is one of the lucrative method to make money online. I have been an affiliate with almost 30+ affiliate programs and everyone is different in their own way. Different in terms of affiliate policy, payout, promotion, coupon codes and so on. Even if you offer a service, it’s always a good idea to run an affiliate program for free promotion and yes more clients or sales for you.
Here I’m sharing 6 things which I would love to see in any affiliate program.
Payment option:
This is the first option I want to discus, because I know I skipped many affiliate program due to lack of PayPal payment option. Specially in India, where the best possible way to get money from offshore companies is via PayPal, I would love to see PayPal as one must have payout method. Apart from PayPal check is another option that is good. So far CJ, clickbank, Shareasale doesn’t offer payment via PayPal. After last year Paypal fiasco, Dreamhost also disabled affiliate payment via PayPal for Indian users. With current PayPal scenario in India, people might not be very happy with PayPal, but agree with me or not, this is still the best method to get money in your account instantly. Just a thought, how good it will be if Adsense will start paying via PayPal? 
Single product Affiliate link:
Imagine you sign up for an affiliate program with a WordPress theme club and you can’t find a direct affiliate link to individual product, how annoying this could be for you. It’s very important for every affiliate program or product to offer individual link to their product. If possible buyer, land on homepage instead of product sales page, most likely he will skip and move to somewhere else. Do you wish to lose a sale just because of one important feature?
Custom link option:
Following up from my above point, obviously price page will not be considered as an affiliate product page but to showcase the product, you might like to link to price page. A direct link ? Well boy, you might going to lose some sales here. How about an option to create a custom link for any page using your affiliate URL. This feature is something which elegant Theme affiliate program offers.
Custom Discount coupon code:
Discount coupon codes are one of the best way to promote any product. Imagine getting a $119 product for just $22 like Dreamhost. Obviously this will encourage sales. Most of affiliate programs specially Affiliate hosting programs, offer discount coupons. Though how about option to create your own brandable discount coupon. For example, I created coupon code: SHOUTMELOUD for Hostgator and SML97 for Dreamhost. Apart from offering discount, such coupon codes helps in branding. Sad, but very few affiliate product offers an option to create custom discount coupon. Such option will be useful for an affiliate marketer like us. What do you think?
Email updates:
So now you are a part of one of the top selling product as an affiliate promoter and they are running a great deal of offer which one can’t refuse. But they don’t send Email updates and being an affiliate, you get to know about this offer when 10 other blogger have already written about it or by the time when offers is coming to an end. Every product which offers affiliate program should consider sending Email newsletter and other subscription options, so that one can keep up with the updates. Related reading: Must have for an affiliate newsletter.
Affiliate Stats and banners:
So you just joined an affiliate program and when you logged into affiliate console area, you realize that there is nothing apart from your affiliate link and edit profile option. You can’t track how much hits you are sending to them and which page or promotional method is working for you. More over they are not offering any promotional banners or links, how annoying this one can get? For me, I might refuse working with such affiliate program and will find another similar good product. Having a fully fledge affiliate panel is important for any successful affiliate program.
That’s not all, custom tracking link, affiliate manager and couple of more things are essential elements of any successful affiliate program. A well optimized and crafted for affiliate-marketer programs ensure better earning.
I would love to know your opinion and features you would like to see in any good affiliate program?
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Article by Harsh Agrawal
Harsh has written 1206 articles.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I think there are many other affiliate programs you may consider taking part in. I mean, it is also depend on your targeted readers and your blog ‘ content. What Hrash mentions above is only for blogging tip blogs, not blog covering software, tip, trick and so on. However, I certainly agree with you about payments and discount offer traits.
Agreed on all the programs except “Custom Discount coupon code”. I dont think so that every affiliate program is applicable of discount coupon code it is only for hosting product only.
Harsh, for me its in opposite way.
Because of some of the affiliate programs pay via paypal only, I can’t join theme. Still, Paypal is not supported in most of the countries to receive money. I think you are talking for Indian bloggers only
Not all affiliate programs are flexible for new and outside US bloggers. This can be also added to your list.
Thanks for your points from your view and experience.
Customdiscount coupon are the best way to attract readers. They get a feeling that it’s a one time oppurtunity and they can get it only in that specific blog. At present in one of my blogs I use clickbank and their stats reporting is good.
Harsh,
I don’t know how it is in India, but do you need to pay taxes on money you earn from your blog?
Well, if you don’t have to, be thankful LOL because I HAVE to! which sux..really.
For any incomes in Europe where I live it has to be reported, otherwise if they catch me, I would have to pay thousands Euros..
I personally do not really care about paypal or other payment, but the great option to me, is direct deposit
yes, we need to pay taxes dear.
I think Taxes are required in every country
Hi Harsh, wonderful article on affiliate marketing products. Well I am using some of the best affiliate networks and what I find missing in most of them is the customdiscount coupon code. If they allow that, then I am sure it will increase the conversion rate to a bit. Anyway, thanks for sharing an useful article.
multiple payment option is a must have option for any affiliate program…
I agree Vijay. This will benefit affiliate publishers like us to select our desire payout method.
You are right harsh sometimes we sign up and forget about it so email alerts and custom discount codes keep us and the advertiser both linked and updated
What are the some other Affiliates programes Other than Hostgator and Dreamhost, offering custom coupon codes ?