Affiliate Marketing

The Fastest Growing Internet Business Model

In 1997, Amazon.com was one of the first (and certainly the largest) companies to launch the concept of an associate program on the "World Wide Web" - as it was called then. Amazon's thinking was that they would pay a commission when a Web site referred a customer who bought a book from them. And considering that at the time there were millions of Web sites on an endless array of topics, they believed they could find a site for every category of book imaginable. And they were right.

Please note, Affiliate Programs are also known as...

Associate Programs
Referrer Programs
Partnering Programs

... but now are more popularly called "affiliate programs" nowadays.

Here's a simple example of how affiliate marketing works. Let's say you have a site about home organizing. You can research affiliate programs which offer quality organizing products, then register as an affiliate (usually at no charge) and promote these products on your Web site.

It's important that the products (or services) you affiliate with are related to your site's content. So for example, on a page about organizing kitchens, you might become an affiliate of a container store and recommend certain products on your Web page. If a visitor to the page clicks on your link to the kitchen organizing product and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

How Are Purchases Tracked?

Companies who have affiliate programs use special software which tracks (or "cookies") who sends each visitor. Typically you are assigned an affiliate code or number when you register as an affiliate. When you offer or recommend a product on your Web site, you include your affiliate code in the link. If and when your visitor makes a purchase, the sale is tracked to your affiliate code and the company then pays you a commission.

Commission payments are set up differently from company to company. Some companies require a minimum before they will issue a commission check. Others are set up to automatically deposit commissions per sale in your PayPal account. Some will pay monthly and so on. Payment options should be clearly explained when you register as an affiliate.

Why Is Affiliate Marketing So Popular?

Some of the reasons affiliate marketing is becoming such a popular way of earning income online are because as an affiliate you never have to...

develop your own product
process an order
do any shipping
handle customer inquiries

Affiliate marketing is one of the best opportunities for the average person to get started with earning income online. It is not however, a way to quick riches. Hard work and motivation are absolutely required to succeed with this (and any!) business model.

Go To Affiliate Marketing Magazines - Excellent quality magazines primarily on the topic of Affiliate Marketing. If you enjoy doing some offline reading about affiliate marketing, these magazines are the way to go.

Go To Affiliate Marketing Reviews - In depth reviews of Niche Affiliate Programs. All the research is done for you on usability, commissions, promotional materials, etc., of some of the Internet's Top Affiliate Programs.

Go To Affiliate Revenue Information - Explanation on the Revenue break-down for various Affiliate Programs. Also provides Videos, E-books, Articles and Free Resources related to Affiliate Marketing.

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