Yesterdays reblog of “A Christmas Gift – The Perfect Affiliate” got me thinking about more “Perfect” wishes. Today I’m thinking of the Perfect Affiliate Network.
Most of us have multiple Affiliate Network relationships. Not every network has the best offer for every niche you fill. Sometimes a Merchant you like may move from one network to another for their own business reasons, etc. But all in all, every Affiliate Marketer deals with multiple Affiliate Networks. And if life were “Perfect” every Affiliate Network would:
1) Track no matter what….
First there was link tracking, then cookie tracking, then pixel tracking… They all fail in a couple respects. First of all, scammers and other unsundry individuals and organizations work very hard figuring out ways to reset tracking so they get money that you deserve. This is a very tough issue. And one your network needs to be open, honest, and forthcoming about in both policy, and technical execution.
2) Be open and communicative….
All too often a network will be impossible to communicate with openly. You’ll get “the pitch” about their great offers, superior tracking and payouts, etc. at Affiliate Summit, Blogworld, etc. But try to get them on the phone? Email? etc. Oh, I’m sure it’s a pain for the networks, but networks need to be able to answer questions in a reasonable manner and timeframe. Perfect networks have multiple communication channels and the ability to handle issues. Like that merchant who never has a balance but is selling thru like hotcakes, links not tracking, etc.
3) Enable Merchant Communication
New merchants are sometimes not easy to communicate with. Have no social media strategy. No phone number on their website (outside of an answering service), etc. A “Perfect” network should have a built in ability to directly communicate with a merchant (or their AM/OPM) so issues can be handled, questions answered, requests for special graphics, etc., made easily. Networks act as a business intermediary between merchants and affiliates. Not enabling communication would make a network less than “Perfect” in my eye.
4) Payout easily, conveniently, and on-time. With full detail.
Face it, we’re all involved in a high tech field. You may sell goat cheese with your affiliate site but it’s on the Internet. There is no excuse for a network to payout by mailing a check. A “Perfect Network” should be able to payout via PayPal, Wire Transfer, Electronic Check, etc. And a “Perfect Network” should also be able to deliver full transactional detail via a .QIF file or OpenOffice Spreadsheet that I can import into my accounting system.
5) “Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect, Perfect Practice Makes Perfect”. Vince Lombardi
A “Perfect Network” should always be testing something. Better reporting, new payout methods, promotions, etc. And just like the Vince Lombardi quote that anchors this paragraph… They need to be perfect in practice. Which means rolling out a new feature without it being tested is nearly unforgiveable. I’ve lived through a few of these, links failing to track, infrastructure failures, new site reporting reporting everything but what I need, etc. A “Perfect Network” works with their merchants and affiliates, builds a test environment, and involves key merchants and affiliates in the testing process. So when the new features are rolled out, it’s good for everybody.
6) Perfect Networks use AffSpot
Okay, this is self serving.. But hey, I can. Since no person is perfect, and networks are really made up of people, there is no such thing as a “Perfect Network”. But several come real close… And they participate on AffSpot. I’m not naming names because I’ll forget someone (I’m not perfect either) but we at AffSpot are proud of the the networks that participate with us. They really are an outstanding bunch (and if your a Network… AffSpot wants you).
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