Deciding What Affiliate Network To Use
Posted on: May 28th, 2008 by Jeremy Schoemaker
One of the questions from last sundays q&a that I thought deserved a little longer answer then I had time for then.
HipHoper asks:
First of all, How you Doing? Second, based on affiliate marketing…did you consider right jump from network to network looking for the best payout? Should this be the first factor to consider?
ShoeMoney: Doing good thanks! We often rotate offers between networks and look more at conversion then payout. Just because 1 offer is paying more at a network then the other does not mean it will be the best payout. For instance we have had 20$ payouts for a offer and made less WITH THE SAME OFFER then a network that was paying only 17.50. Conversion is key. Companies that use crappy tracking or are blacklisted by ISP’s or their cookies get eaten by anti-spyware systems will convert at a much lower rate and suck in the end not to mention put your site at risk for being blacklisted.
As far as loyalty goes… All other things being equal – Money talks. I am not in business to LOSE money which is what I am doing by getting a lower payout. There are exceptions I am sure but to be honest I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. We have a great relationship and have made a lot of money with a large variety of affiliate networks. At times I have even been forced to work with networks I despise simply because their was no other choice *cough* CJ *cough*.
Sometimes one of the pitfalls of running our own companies is that we get to make all the decisions. Just picture yourself explaining to your investors why your leaving money on the table because you like the guy/girl who is your affiliate manager.
Hi I am Jeremy Schoemaker and ShoeMoney.com is my blog. 99% of the post here are done by me but you will see others occasionally make guest posts. This blog is fun to write but for my day job I run several online companies.
More about Jeremy at http://www.shoemoney.com!
May 28, 2008 at 7:50 am
That’s true! if you can make more money with low payout affiliate then i would also consider going with that! after all everybody want to earn good bucks.
May 28, 2008 at 7:58 am
What do you dislike about CJ?
Did I just open a can of worms?
May 28, 2008 at 8:05 am
Personally I’ve looked into so many affiliate networks that it’s hard enough breaking it down to maybe 2-3.
May 28, 2008 at 8:21 am
There is a balance though. When you’re a player in your vertical everyone will try to offer you a better deal than what you’re currently getting. It’s not practical to keep jumping ships; however as long as you feel you’re getting an awesome deal with a company you have a good relationship with, the few extra dollars a new company may offer you might not be all that appealling. Affiliate managers are just like everyone else. When you’re hot and on top, everyone wants to offer you the world; however, at the beginning when you have nothing but a dream and potential, Affiliate managers really don’t care because they’re more concerned with what you can provide today.
May 28, 2008 at 8:43 am
As I am in the food industry I actually hunt down the merchants across a number of affiliate networks as most networks will only have two or three mercahnts I want to be associated with. I think last time I checked I am in about 14 different programs.
May 28, 2008 at 9:06 am
How about ease of reporting? Neverblue lets you download the report data via a webservice. Also you can add you own “pingbacks” to get notified instantly when there is a conversion.
For PPC, I won’t promote an offer if it does not have an SID for sure! (Sorry Amazon)
May 28, 2008 at 9:19 am
“As far as loyalty goes… All other things being equal – Money talks. I am not in business to LOSE money which is what I am doing by getting a lower payout. ” That is how it is. Money talks. Not many people go out on a limb to lose money or make others more money. Gotta look out for number 1.
May 28, 2008 at 10:40 am
I can find NO reson to be loyal to an affiliate company unless they are paying me quite a bit of money.
May 28, 2008 at 11:05 am
Go were the money is best, makes sense.
May 28, 2008 at 11:59 am
Just saw the pictures of the pool, that is pretty badass. How much did that set you back?
May 28, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Shoe did you go to college? If not what books have you read? You know your shit and I want to study up. “Just picture yourself explaining to your investors why your leaving money on the table because you like the guy/girl who is your affiliate manager.” Suggestions please.
May 28, 2008 at 12:14 pm
What don’t you like about CJ?
May 28, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I had the same question..
can you tell from your experience, which one pays highest ??
May 28, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I have these two networks with the same offer and landing pages. Network A converts like 10% – 20% better than Network B. Network A paid monthly and don’t want to pay weekly. Network B paid weekly and bump the payout a few cents more.
May 28, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Ha ha way to beat on CJ. And yes, some networks scrape leads so you get less and tracking can be an issue also… Also some networks will bump you up to a higher rate….
May 28, 2008 at 12:50 pm
You can always ask the first company to match the payouts of the second one.
May 28, 2008 at 1:26 pm
school of hard knocks.
I dont read. I do.
May 28, 2008 at 2:19 pm
It is always important to do some real testing when it comes to affiliate networks. And it may sometimes pay off to repeat a test with a network when some important parameters have been changed.
May 28, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I have been a publisher of CJ from Last 1.5 Years, They are really the best, No comparison near it..
May 28, 2008 at 3:42 pm
you are right at this point. we have to look the best opportunity for our web site because while trying to make more money may cause a bad problem.
May 28, 2008 at 3:52 pm
That’s also one of the advantages of running your own company: if you like the guy/girl who is your affiliate manager, you can stay around even if you’re making less. There’s an opportunity cost that can be figured into everything.
May 28, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Like most things… money talks and bullsh!t walks!
May 28, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Money does talk for most and it always will. It makes sense to go where the most money is to be made.
~Terry
May 28, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I am sure you realize that anyone that cares about spelling or grammar cannot read your posts without cringing. The technology is there to fix that stuff before you publish. Doing so would only help increase your readership. Why does it not matter to you? Isn’t THAT leaving money on the table?
May 28, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I just hate CJ after months of bad time with it
May 29, 2008 at 9:27 am
If you like the guy/girl you should meet privately and get happy. No sense in mixing it with money-decisions.
May 29, 2008 at 9:52 am
but they dont pay via paypal.
That suchs..
May 29, 2008 at 2:23 pm
cheers. i enjoy reading your articles but i can’t understand why you keep says “then” instead of “than” … is it some kind of slag or just a typo? all the best and keep making that money. you’re an example for me
May 29, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I like to give the grammar nazi’s a reason to live
May 29, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I know you don’t have time to let me pick your brain. I haven’t followed your life story or anything but there has to be a tip you can send my way. I understand that execution is key but how and when did the light switch on and you have a clear vision of the road you were headed down. Also how many times have you failed meaning being close to finished before you had a handle on things? I know you won’t answer all of this because your a busy man. I’ll try to get to the post on Sunday in time.
May 29, 2008 at 4:09 pm
that’s what i thought , but i was just thinking to ask you and see it for sure
nice pool btw
i’m thinking to have my own in the near future. right now i don’t have enough money to build one, but i will start with the shoemoney logo, then brick by brick i will build the pool of my dreams 
cheers
May 30, 2008 at 12:51 am
My favorite is Advaliant. Easy to use, good products and regular monthly payouts.
May 30, 2008 at 3:01 am
Did you ask on question “did you consider right jump from network to network looking for the best payout” or you have anything to add?
May 31, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Ken, I will give Advaliant a try, thanks
June 3, 2008 at 6:16 am
I actually love CJ – stop tha hate!
June 10, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I hate CJ, my favorite is Advaliant.