What Does a Good Affiliate Program Look Like?

Finding a good affiliate program can make the difference between making pennies and making a good income from your affiliate recommendations. This is especially true if you are new to affiliate marketing and need a little hand-holding and support to get you started. Unfortunately, if you are new it can be a little daunting to try and figure out what you need from an affiliate program. You are probably new to starting your business as it is.

I have three quick starter tips to help you ensure that your affiliate recommendations are going to be valid.

A solid product

Your recommendation will be much more powerful if you’ve had a chance to experience the product first hand. This is often much easier with inexpensive e-books and other products with a low price point. If you can’t afford a product that you’d really like to promote, don’t be shy about asking the affiliate manager for a review copy. You may not always get a positive response, but it’s worth asking to ensure your recommendations are always solid.

A solid reputation

Be diligent in researching the products and companies you plan to recommend. A quick search should ensure that the products you are considering have a solid reputation for quality and customer service. You don’t want to erode the trust that others have placed in you by recommending those with questionable histories. If it’s a new product or company, and you’re new to affiliate marketing, it’s likely best to pass unless you have a personal connection to the founders that assures you of their integrity.

Look up other reviews of the product. Also google any poor reviews there may be. Don’t discount the product if you only find one or two bad reviews out there. We all know there will be people that are not happy no matter how well they are treated, so take that in to consideration when you research.

Do they provide more than just a link to a sales page to help you promote the product?

A sales page might be a fine start if you’re an experienced affiliate marketer, but most newcomers need more promotion resources. Look for programs that provide you with graphics, sample emails, reprint articles and special reports. In other words, look for programs that provide marketing support and materials. This will get also help you brainstorm some other great article topics you can write up to promote the product.

To learn more of the basics of affiliate marketing, grab your free registration to Moms Affiliate Expo.