Have you decided to start an affiliate program for your business, but are overwhelmed by the options available and don’t know how to choose an affiliate network? You are in the right place. But before we dive into the specifics of the network, there are three important myths I’d like to debunk.
Also read: Nine effective strategies for affiliate selling
3 myths about affiliate networks debunked
The more affiliate networks, the better!
In theory, having merchant accounts on three different networks could help you work with three times as many partners and triple your sales. In practice, you only need one account on ONE affiliate network! By creating more, you will only scatter your efforts, create more work for yourself, confuse affiliates, and most importantly, increase your costs. You will pay fees across all networks and, most likely, multiple fees and commissions on the same transaction. Of course, you can and should supplement your affiliate marketing efforts with paid advertising, PR and influencer campaigns, as well as customer rewards and referral programs. Just be aware of possible overlaps, manage costs carefully, and don’t join more than one affiliate network!
The biggest affiliate network is the best!
Indeed, size matters. However, in affiliate marketing, size is just one factor, no more important than tools, features, ease of use, quality, compliance, demographics and costs. Each network has its pros and cons and may be best for a specific business. It is important for you to find the one that best meets your specific needs and goals. I’ve included a list of the largest affiliate networks below along with more detailed advice on how to choose an affiliate network for your business.
Success depends on the network!
As we explained some time ago, affiliate networks provide the infrastructure, the management is separate. Choosing the best network for your program creates the framework for success, but the devil is in the details like program description, terms and conditions, affiliate communication, recruitment, activation, motivation, compliance, payments, cost management, optimizations, etc. Among the tools, features and benefits offered by the affiliate network, you need a competent, experienced and dedicated affiliate program manager.
5 biggest affiliate networks
The size of an affiliate network is usually measured by numbers such as:
- Affiliates
- Merchants
- Products
- Sales generated
Unfortunately, these numbers are constantly changing and are never accurately presented by affiliate networks. Additionally, some networks deactivate inactive affiliate accounts, while others leave them online and count them, making the numbers irrelevant. It is almost impossible to determine which affiliate network is the largest. Here are the networks whose websites generate the most traffic according to SimilarWeb.
1. ShareASale
The largest network in the United States, ShareASale offers a user-friendly interface, easy integration, and low fees starting at $35/month. It supports multiple websites under the same account, has a free recruiting tool, facilitates affiliate messaging, newsletters and event emails, and provides excellent network visibility opportunities.
2. Click Bank
Global network and perfect marketplace for digital products, Click on Bank provides many tools and options for traders and can facilitate rapid growth. However, it has the highest fees and average affiliate commissions, which can get quite expensive for brands with physical products and low margins.
3. Loans
A formidable affiliate network, especially for brands selling in Europe, Ready owns ShareASale and offers similar features and benefits at affordable costs.
4. Impacts
Offering superior technology, tools and features, Impact is used by many global and international brands and provides support in multiple languages. The interface could be more user-friendly, the costs increase with the tools and features available, which still require an experienced manager to take advantage of them.
5. C.J.
Used by brands and their subsidiaries around the world, C.J. has the least user-friendly interface and onboarding process, but makes up for it with superior tracking, excellent support, and improved merchant protection against fraud and false leads. Since they remove inactive and unresponsive affiliates, their network recruiting tool has some of the best response rates.
Indeed, starting your affiliate program on a large network is a good idea. The larger and more popular the network, the more likely your ideal affiliates are already using it and can be reached through the available network communication channels (network messages and invites/offers). However, besides size, there are many other factors to consider.
How to choose an affiliate network step by step
1. Learn from the competition
Check what your competitors are doing and what affiliate networks they are using. Some may not have affiliate programs, others may run them in-house, but if you look closely, you will surely find a few using the same affiliate network. This network is a good place to start because it means it has what it takes to meet the needs of businesses like yours and your target affiliates are already there.
When checking competitor activity, pay attention to other details that will help you make decisions about your affiliate program, such as payments, cookie lifespan (tracking period), terms and conditions, promotions, creations, etc. Your goal is to create an affiliate program. more attractive than theirs, and you can’t beat them if you don’t know what they’re doing.
2. Evaluate costs
Usually, you want to keep the following affiliate network fees in mind:
- Integration fees – The one-time fees you must pay when creating your merchant account
- Transaction fees – The fees you pay to the network on each transaction, usually calculated as a percentage of the sale amount or affiliate commission
- Network Fees – The minimum monthly fees to be paid by each merchant
- Payment processing fees – Fees payable when using certain payment methods to deposit money into your merchant account
Some networks may also charge other fees. In most cases, some fees overlap. For example, with some networks, the minimum monthly network fee does not have to be paid if the total transaction fees for the month exceed its value. Other networks’ monthly fees include free transactions up to a certain threshold. To encourage merchants, some networks lower their fees based on volume. Before choosing your affiliate network, make sure you know the costs of starting and running an affiliate program. While the costs are important, so should the tools, features, and benefits that come with them.
3. Compare tools, features and benefits
Some networks offer more features and capabilities than others. Some important features to consider when choosing an affiliate network are:
- Network recruitment – Identify suitable partners and invite them to join your affiliate program
- Express registration – Simplified and accelerated onboarding process for pre-selected potential partners
- Clickless tracking – Cross-device, in-app and/or coupon-based tracking
- Multiple stores and/or vendor websites – Integrate several brands, stores or websites under the same account
- Brand protection – Prevent and monitor TM+ auctions, ad hijacking and unauthorized coupon use
- Additional network visibility – Adding visibility for your affiliate program within the network
- Payment options – Automate payments to affiliates for approved/confirmed referrals and create manual payments
- Newsletters and email campaigns – Easily communicate important news and updates to your partners
- Creatives – Make text links, images, videos, coupons and data feeds available to affiliates
- Custom Reports – Customize reports and analyze and export specific affiliate and program performance data
- Ease of use – Evaluate the registration and onboarding processes as well as the ease of use of the interface
4. Consider your specific needs
Do you have multiple stores or websites? If so, it might be a good idea to choose a network that allows you to consolidate them all under the same account. Not only will you pay for one and get the same features and benefits for everyone, but you will also save a lot of management time and effort, make recruiting easier, improve affiliate program statistics, and make your program more attractive for affiliates.
If you sell in multiple countries, it helps to choose an affiliate network used by brands and affiliates in those countries. It’s also important to make sure the network you choose integrates with your e-commerce platform and that its tracking solution works well with any third-party apps you use for subscriptions, bundles, or payment processing. Think about all the small but important details of your business and make a list of features the network must meet.
5. Schedule a demo
By now, you should have narrowed down your options to two or three affiliate networks. You should also have a list of questions regarding their abilities. The best way to make the final decision is to schedule a demo with each network. Let their representatives show you around and answer your questions. Try to see beyond their marketing strategy and don’t lose sight of your needs and priorities. Ultimately, it is not the network that will develop your affiliate program, but you/your affiliate program manager will.
Conclusion
Choosing the right affiliate network is crucial for the success of your affiliate marketing program. By understanding the myths, evaluating costs, comparing tools and features, and considering your specific needs, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals. Remember, the network provides the infrastructure, but your management and strategy will ultimately determine your success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an affiliate network?
An affiliate network is a platform that connects merchants with affiliates who promote their products or services. The network provides tracking, reporting, and payment solutions to facilitate affiliate marketing.
Why should I use an affiliate network?
Using an affiliate network simplifies the process of managing affiliate relationships, tracking sales, and handling payments. It also provides access to a larger pool of potential affiliates.
How do I choose the best affiliate network for my business?
Consider factors such as the network’s size, tools, features, ease of use, costs, and the specific needs of your business. Evaluating your competitors’ choices and scheduling demos with potential networks can also help.
Can I join multiple affiliate networks?
While it’s possible to join multiple networks, it’s often more efficient to focus on one network to avoid scattering your efforts and increasing costs.
What are the costs associated with affiliate networks?
Costs can include integration fees, transaction fees, network fees, and payment processing fees. It’s important to evaluate these costs in relation to the tools and features provided by the network.
