The Ten Commandments For Choosing Affiliate Programs

The word "affiliate" really means associate for any business venture. It is related to the concept of hiring freelance sales agents who work on a commission basis. Having stated this it may be wise to look at ten of the basic commandments that one should consider before joining up as an "Affiliate". There are trillions of affiliate programs around the Internet that promise to take you by the hand and lead you along that legendary "yellow brick road" to the riches of a Wizard at the other end! Do not set off on such a hazardous journey without taking into account the pros and cons of affiliate business. Let us look at the golden rules of affiliate marketing.

One Commandment for each extremity of your hand!

We all know about the "rule of the thumb". This time our focus is on all the fingers and two thumbs that make up the extremity of our hands. Ten in total more or less are a manifestation of the 10 commandments with 2 of them of most importance that deserve a "thumbs up" verdict!

First the 'fingers' and the eight golden rules of the affiliate game:

1. 'What is the cost of becoming an affiliate' is the most common question someone asks when they are searching for a possible association with an online business that offers attractive affiliate possibilities. Most are free while some charge a small amount to join. The question many ask is why should we pay when there are hundreds of affiliate programs that are totally free to join?

Great questions always deserve a greater answer!

A free affiliate program is very attractive, especially when it offers lucrative returns. However it can also be in need of a "workaholic" who strives and strives to no end for that extra money or residual income.

Therefore one must look at this first commandment that states:

"Study and carefully analyze affiliate programs before leaping into the business"

2. The second commandment is linked to the type, percentage, and time of the commission you earn as an affiliate. Most people on the Internet or those who work from home are interested in a regular income from their affiliate programs. The return on your time is your ROI (Return on Investment)!

3. Most affiliate websites indicate an average success rate for visitors who really buy a product. They also inform the affiliates what the average conversion rate is and how many visitors click on the links to make a single sale. This aspect is linked to monetization rate and is important to know for the various affiliate possibilities you may be considering.

4. Affiliate systems work mostly on referrals. Each and every affiliate program has their own terms and conditions, pay out rates, referral tracking period, and type of purchases that are considered valid. You must check all these fine points and "read between the lines" to understand the idea and whether it falls within your ideas of a great business.

5. The type of reporting that any affiliate program offers is important for you to consider so that you can see a drop or increase in income or activity etc. A regular periodic report in the form of email is quite normal with a majority of programs.

6. Some affiliate programs offer an amount based on 'per click' approach and this can be used to add to your commission income.

7. Residual income plans offer attractive affiliate activities and this must be checked out with the program you wish to use. Down line affiliates generate income based on your referrals and you can earn a commission on this as well!

8. Always read and digest the legal aspects of any affiliate program before signing up. This is necessary and the legal content must also include the terms and conditions and that "fine print" concept of the popular phrase "conditions apply" you find quite often.

How about the two thumbs that really give you that "up" sign?

Thumb Commandment 1

The structure of the affiliate program must be properly understood. The most lucrative programs offer a multi-tier system of referral activity and ensure that your referrals work as a team under your overall supervision. This chain reaction continues with their teams and all make a decent enough living! Always check out this aspect and make a note of the details.

Thumb Commandment 2

Consider the commission rates offered by the affiliate programs and what these mean. Many programs add various items and then average out the earnings. It is essential to list out all the pay outs and then choose the right program that gives you the maximum pay out.