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Are Affiliate Programs A Scam

By Vickie J. Scanlon


Are affiliate programs a scam? Yes and No. That's probably not the answer you may want to hear. But let me explain.

Affiliate programs come in many varieties and is offered in many different formats.  The different formats can determine your experience with an affiliate program. The different formats are as follows:

Stand-alone Affiliate Programs

Stand alone affiliate program. Stand alone affiliate program are offered directly through the vendor. Let's look at the pros and cons for the affiliate with this type of program.

Pro

1. Offers an opportunity to make a commission.
2. Can possibly have a tier program, enabling you to make money, though small it does add up, from the affiliates who sign up under you.


Cons

1. They set when you will received your commission. If you find that you have to have make a number of sales before you are paid, be sure and consider how long it will take your you to make the sales before putting the links on your website.

2. Payout can be set high. You might want to step away from the opportunity. Again, think about how long it will be before you get paid.

3. If they offer a program as a stand alone and within a Brokerage firm. Check them both out. Why? Let me give you an example: 

Standalone-Company wanted three sales the first year before paying out. Commission set at around $65. 

Through Brokerage Firm-Company abides by brokerage firm rules-the affiliate received commission after 30 or 60 day guarantee-payout $98.


3. They can change the rules. (This is where you have to watch out for the con job. If they keep changing the rules, and when you're going to be paid, it's a scam.)


Affiliate Programs offered through Affiliate Program Brokers

Affiliate Program Brokers are the companies that offer a range of affiliate programs for different niches. They offer you many opportunities to make money, but like the stand alone they also have their pros and cons.


Pros

1. Protects your commission. They will pay you the commission, even when they are not being paid by the vendor. What happens next.

If the vendor is not paying-you will find that the Affiliate Program Broker will instruct you that the links of the vendor has temporarily been blocked and to remove the links. If you click on the link you'll find a "page not found".

2. Affiliate Brokerage firm gives you notice when the vendor is leaving their brokerage firm. They will ask you to remove the links by a certain date. If you don't, and a sale comes through after that date from your link-you've just given them a free sale.

3. Easier to reach your threshold if you have more than one programs you are promoting.


Cons

1. Need to reach their threshold before being paid. In most instances, the threshold is reasonable. But be aware of the threshold so that you are not surprised by not being paid. 



Research your Affiliate Program

With either, the stand-alone or through the affiliate brokerage firm it is imperative that you research the affiliate program and what they are offering you, the affiliate. Here are some things to look at before partaking:

1. Do they have a commission structure on everything they sell or onlyon certain areas of their website? If this is the case, you might want to back away. Why? You're giving them free sales. Example: If someone clicks on your link and buys an item that is not covered within the commission structure offered by the vendor, you won't be paid.

2. Research the vendor. Are they in good standing. Are most of their customers happy with their service. I look at an 80% and up rating. And I also read what people are saying.

3. Does their website have contact information? Are they reachable? Email them with a question. Call them with several prepared questions in hand. If they don't answer their phone, or their emails, step away.

The most important thing to remember is to always do your research. Never, give anything the benefit of the doubt. It's your due diligence that can save you money and your reputation on line.


About The Author:

Vickie Scanlon-Visit her site,   My Affiliate Place to learn the   how to of beginning affiliate marketing and it's many phases, ebooks, report your scams, computers and software utilities for business.