Affiliate Program Survey Results, Part II
In the last article we looked at the first half of the results from a
recent survey I conducted with the help of 26 web sites that use affiliate and
pay-per-click programs. The intent of this survey is to hopefully better learn what types
of sites are having the most success, as well as the strategies they are using to maximize
their affiliate income.
Last article we looked at
what types of programs more sites were using, how much they were making, and the methods
they used to generate their revenues. This issue, the questions try to determine what
types of web sites are having the best success with affiliate programs.
Question: How would you
best describe your site?
50% Content Site (13
sites)
31% E-commerce Site (8 sites)
15% Directory/Portal Site (4 sites)
4% Other (1 site)
This information by itself
is not very useful, but when comparing the sites to the amount of money they have earned,
a definite pattern exists. Although the majority of sites classified themselves as content
sites (as I would describe ClickQuick also), the leaders in affiliate earnings were
generally the E-commerce sites. The top earner was indeed classified as a content site,
but the next 6 highest earners all considered themselves to be E-commerce sites selling
other products. Most sold their own products or services, with affiliate programs as a
secondary income source.
Their base strategy was to
integrate various affiliate programs into their existing product offerings. This way,
visitors could shop side by side the site's actual products, and those offered through
affiliate programs.
Some sites clearly stated
that they were partnered with affiliate programs. Other sites left it implied that the
products were their own, leaving the visitor to find out it is part of the affiliate
program when they decided to place an order. Neither method showed significant advantage,
although I would recommend bringing the affiliate relationship to light at some point to
avoid possible 'shock' when the visitor is transported to another company's web site (or
order form).
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