Is there ever really a win/win? Doesn’t one side always come out the loser? Well, that’s almost always true. Affiliate marketing is an exception. On one hand it is one of the most effective ways to advertise online. It is also one of the easiest ways for anyone with a website to make a profit online. Both the seller and the advertiser (affiliate) get what they need.
We’ve all seen the ads at the end of an article, promoting a related business or product. There is usually a disclaimer, letting you, the reader, know that the web site owner will receive compensation. Does this really work? Does anyone ever click through and buy the promoted product? You bet they do.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
How does it all work? The website owner, or the affiliate, allows the use of their site for the promotion of the merchant’s products by linking to the merchant’s website. In exchange, the merchant pays a commission to the affiliate on all sales generated by the affiliate. Every time someone clicks on the link on the affiliate website and proceeds to make a purchase, the affiliate gets a commission. The merchant will pay the affiliate only when a customer clicks on the product link and makes a purchase.
Affiliate marketing programs are described as a win-win situation for both the merchant and the affiliate because of the pay-for-performance scheme. One side gets advertising with no up-front investment; the other gets to sell a product without actually developing a product.
There are many benefits on the merchant’s side. It gives the merchant a wider market in which to advertise a product or service. Affiliate marketing will give the product or service the maximum exposure that it may not get with other traditional advertising techniques. The more affiliate sites a merchant has, the higher the traffic, which can convert to sales. Affiliate marketing is the equivalent of having an army of sales people who will do the advertising and will only get a commission if a customer purchases.
Meanwhile, since this relationship is a win-win situation, the affiliate also enjoys many benefits. Number one – it’s an easy way to make a profit. The affiliate can earn by having an ad or link to the merchant’s website, which prospective customers will hopefully click and proceed to make a purchase. As soon as the customer clicks on the ad, they are redirected to the merchant’s website. If they go on to buy that particular product, the affiliate earns a commission. The more referrals there are the more profit.
What Are the Advantages of Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is an excellent way to earn money while at home. There are virtually no production costs. The product is already developed and proven by the merchant, and all you have to do to find, as many prospects as you can that will bring in the profit for both the merchant and the affiliate. Affiliate programs are usually free to join, so affiliates do not have to worry about start-up costs. There are thousands of products and services you can choose from. You can find affiliate programs for every product under the sun. Surely, there is a product or service out there that is relevant to your website.
In addition, there is absolutely no sales experience necessary. Most affiliate programs offer excellent support when it comes to providing marketing material. The simplicity of affiliate marketing allows you to be an affiliate marketer at the least cost and the most comfort. You can even build a successful affiliate marketing business right in the convenience of your own home. In affiliate marketing, your responsibility is simply to find prospects for the merchant; you do not have to worry about inventory, order processing, and product shipping. These, along with customer service support are the duties of the merchant.
Because of the global reach of the internet, you can easily find thousands of prospects. You can intensify your advertising campaign by exploiting more aggressive and productive strategies such as viral marketing. By attracting more prospects, you also maximize your potential to earn. Another benefit of an affiliate marketer is the minimal risk involved. If the product you are advertising is not making money then you can dump it and choose another. There are no long-term binding contracts tying you to products that are not making enough money.
This is a great way to enhance your income. Even if you have a full time job, you can get an affiliate marketing business running on the side. Need that extra money to pay down your credit cards? This is one way to get it. Now – it won’t be as fast as some people on YouTube would have you believe. You are probably not heading to the Ferrari dealership tomorrow. But it does work. The first time you make an affiliate commission you will be hungry for the next one.
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