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How do you set up an inhouse affiliate program?

My question is about in-house affiliate programs. How do you do it? What is the best, most stable software? I found AllAffilatePro software. I don't know anything about it. Do you need to bring in an ad server? Love to hear your POV on this.

I have experience with Commission Junction at a former job. I'd like to see if we can improve our ROI by bring it in-house. I most likely can hire a full time manager in this position. I work for a start-up in San Diego. We do financial loans and will hopefully be up on running soon.


Dave's Answer:

I can't think of a better person to answer this question than Shawn Collins, who has a useful weblog called Affiliate Tip Blog and also runs a large, successful affiliate marketing conference twice a year called the Affiliate Summit. The next one's in July at Disneyworld in Orlando and I'll be there, talking about blogging and other ways to promote your business online. I'm already looking forward to it!

Anyway, I asked Shawn this question and here's what he had to say:

There are a couple ways to go the DIY route with an affiliate program, either by using an ASP or installing scripts on your machine. In terms of cost and quality, I'd go with MyAffiliateProgram from KowaBunga for an ASP and Groundbreak.com Ultimate Affiliate if you want it on your server.

The installed software option looks more attractive, because it's generally got a much lower, one time price tag. However, there are lots of attributes you get with an ASP that doesn't come with a script. When you install a piece of software, your tech support will often end with the successful installation. Also, in the case of many off the shelf products I've seen, additional versions come seldom if at all.

Additionally, you've got intangibles like the reputation of the ASP. In general, they've got a network associated with their technology, so your program gets a certain credibility just for being on that platform. On the contrary, the performance and reliability of your server are a big question mark for affiliates. Since the ASPs are working with hundreds or thousands of merchants on a regular basis, they have some intelligence they can share with you, such as which affiliates have been flagged as fraudulent by other merchants. And some features that the big affiliates require, like sub-ID tracking, are not available with the scripts.

Think about the technology you use as a long term solution. It's going to be a big headache for you if you establish your program on some script and later decide it's just not scalable. Then you've got to migrate the affiliate program and affiliates. One place to get lots of demos of affiliate program technologies and opinions from customers of those technologies is at the upcoming Affiliate Summit conference - July 9-11 in Orlando.

Thanks, Shawn!


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Categorized: Business and Management   (Article 6028, Written by )
Tagged: affiliate marketing, inhouse affiliate programs
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Reader Comments To Date: 3

Sherman Hu said, on March 8, 2006 11:19 AM:

Hey Dave, one that I'm using is iDevDirect.com - a software script with great bells and whistles.

I'm pleased with the software, but the support responsiveness has declined recently - which is disappointing.

But you're right about considering scalability. One has to consider that plus cost benefits of either solution.

Hope this helps someone. Cheers!

Eric Tyler said, on February 18, 2009 3:07 PM:

Hey Dave, I saw that this topic was written back in 2006. I was wondering if you have an updated version of this post with some new in-house (software or ASP) options.

Thanks!!

Heather Thompson said, on January 27, 2013 7:45 AM:

Hey Dave, one I am using is AdServerSolutions.com - an affiliate software

The platform is robust and scalable as well as customizable which has been great for us

http://adserversolutions.com/affiliate_software/features.html

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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