Any feedback? About to launch our affiliate program - geek/talk: Signature-free discourse for serious web publishers

Bassmaster · 08-27-2001, 03:41 AM

I'm about to launch our affiliate program very soon. The site is live and we are making sales, and have received excellent feedback from customers. Waiting to make sure all bugs are worked out prior to launching program as we don't want any problems.

Having considered most every alternative, I've concluded CJ will be the network as they have the largest affiliate base. We're currently debating the commission percentage. Having been a productive affiliate for a few years makes me anxious to ensure trust, and communication. I'm fairly active in CJ's forums and will continue to be in order to help affiliates.

We are thinking in the neighborhood of 20% now, for a product(software..see profile) that sells for $24.95 or $29.95 with an incentive for large performers (30%).

We may offer product links that acually allow the buyer to purchase from your page. Of course we will have to ensure security but I think its very possible.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Sve · 08-27-2001, 08:00 AM

Hi Bassmaster, I'm new here but I remember you from CJU

I have this concern about your program: you offer a free trial of your software. In my experience I'm unable to sold any application when there a free trial option.

This feature is great for users, but not very good for affiliates.

Perhaps you can use lead option for trial download.

**Czar** · 08-27-2001, 09:34 AM

!Bienvenidos a la Geek/Talk Sve!

It's great to see you here.

Best of luck developing, launching and supporting your affiliate program, Bassmaster. I have very little advice to give right now, except to suggest that you consider running a test campaign through a more affordable affiliate management ASP (such as FineClicks, Affiliate-Fuel or ClickXchange) prior to investing in CJ's comparitively hefty initial outlay. Although these don't grant you access to quite as large an affiliate base, they allow you to make a tentative entrance to the market, in which to test conversion rates, refine your margins, selling pages and the like. Again, good luck.

Sve · 08-27-2001, 10:00 AM

¡Gracias Czar!

I'm very glad to be in this great community!

Bassmaster · 08-27-2001, 11:18 AM

Sve,
I really don't think a lead for the download would be beneficial for everyone involved. The commission percentage would have to go down. Also, with the free trial option, there should be a very low number of reversals. They see exactly what they get, then decide whether or not to buy.

Thanks for the feedback

Bassmaster · 08-27-2001, 11:24 AM

Czar,
Thanks for the input. I'm currently testing the conversion rate via several links from 5 of my other sites which focus on this type of software. So far the numbers are unbelievable, however I need to let it work for a week to see some real numbers to which we can base an overall CR.

Since launch, Saturday afternoon, we have made 1 sale per 30 unique visitors. Thats a very attractive CR especially since they haven't even had time for the trial to runout.

It will be tested thoroughly prior to CJ activation.

Rgds,
Shawn

Scuba · 08-27-2001, 12:05 PM

I am sure that lot's of web masters will prefer a much more secure way like lead over a actual purches even if the commition is lower.
In any case to be fair, if you decide to go with purches and not lead - Plz make sure that the duration is long enogth.
I had a murchent with a 30 days free try'l and 15 day duration.
HAD is the work here.......

Sve · 08-27-2001, 12:24 PM

Bassmaster,

Perhaps a lead for the download is not a very good idea,

It was just my concern: for example I never have any sale with antivirus vendors (Kaspersky Lab for example) and another software vendors offering free downloads.

But I have sold the same type of products through Software Oasis, they only offer downloads and licencing.

anyway I think I will try your program if you have it in CJ, perhaps you will be an exception,

good luck!

Bassmaster · 08-27-2001, 12:51 PM

Trial lasts for 7 days, and the cookie duration will be 30 days. We are steady making sales today, with just inhouse traffic, and the customers haven't even had time for the trial to runout.

I know everyone has heard this before, but I want to pay out commissions. The more transactions our affiliates have, the more we are making.

I'm easily reached by phone or email and usually reply within at least a couple hours. In effect, affiliates will have fast turnaround for support.

Rgds,
Shawn

08-27-2001, 03:41 AM	#1
Bassmaster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: LR, AR Posts: 19	Any feedback? About to launch our affiliate program I'm about to launch our affiliate program very soon. The site is live and we are making sales, and have received excellent feedback from customers. Waiting to make sure all bugs are worked out prior to launching program as we don't want any problems. Having considered most every alternative, I've concluded CJ will be the network as they have the largest affiliate base. We're currently debating the commission percentage. Having been a productive affiliate for a few years makes me anxious to ensure trust, and communication. I'm fairly active in CJ's forums and will continue to be in order to help affiliates. We are thinking in the neighborhood of 20% now, for a product(software..see profile) that sells for $24.95 or $29.95 with an incentive for large performers (30%). We may offer product links that acually allow the buyer to purchase from your page. Of course we will have to ensure security but I think its very possible. Any feedback is appreciated.

08-27-2001, 09:34 AM	#3
Czar Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Posts: 9,488	!Bienvenidos a la Geek/Talk Sve! It's great to see you here. Best of luck developing, launching and supporting your affiliate program, Bassmaster. I have very little advice to give right now, except to suggest that you consider running a test campaign through a more affordable affiliate management ASP (such as FineClicks, Affiliate-Fuel or ClickXchange) prior to investing in CJ's comparitively hefty initial outlay. Although these don't grant you access to quite as large an affiliate base, they allow you to make a tentative entrance to the market, in which to test conversion rates, refine your margins, selling pages and the like. Again, good luck. __________________ Czar Follow Geek/Talk's Twitter Feed to stay up to date with new discussion threads and online ad industry highlights. Important GeekVillage Links: Home \| Rules \| Posting Guide \| Report Trouble \| Feedback \| Advertise on GV

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08-27-2001, 08:00 AM	#2
Sve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Valencia (Spain) Posts: 8	Hi Bassmaster, I'm new here but I remember you from CJU I have this concern about your program: you offer a free trial of your software. In my experience I'm unable to sold any application when there a free trial option. This feature is great for users, but not very good for affiliates. Perhaps you can use lead option for trial download.

08-27-2001, 10:00 AM	#4
Sve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Valencia (Spain) Posts: 8	¡Gracias Czar! I'm very glad to be in this great community!

08-27-2001, 11:18 AM	#5
Bassmaster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: LR, AR Posts: 19	Sve, I really don't think a lead for the download would be beneficial for everyone involved. The commission percentage would have to go down. Also, with the free trial option, there should be a very low number of reversals. They see exactly what they get, then decide whether or not to buy. Thanks for the feedback

08-27-2001, 11:24 AM	#6
Bassmaster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: LR, AR Posts: 19	Czar, Thanks for the input. I'm currently testing the conversion rate via several links from 5 of my other sites which focus on this type of software. So far the numbers are unbelievable, however I need to let it work for a week to see some real numbers to which we can base an overall CR. Since launch, Saturday afternoon, we have made 1 sale per 30 unique visitors. Thats a very attractive CR especially since they haven't even had time for the trial to runout. It will be tested thoroughly prior to CJ activation. Rgds, Shawn

08-27-2001, 12:05 PM	#7
Scuba Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: The Holly Land Posts: 995	I am sure that lot's of web masters will prefer a much more secure way like lead over a actual purches even if the commition is lower. In any case to be fair, if you decide to go with purches and not lead - Plz make sure that the duration is long enogth. I had a murchent with a 30 days free try'l and 15 day duration. HAD is the work here.......

08-27-2001, 12:24 PM	#8
Sve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Valencia (Spain) Posts: 8	Bassmaster, Perhaps a lead for the download is not a very good idea, It was just my concern: for example I never have any sale with antivirus vendors (Kaspersky Lab for example) and another software vendors offering free downloads. But I have sold the same type of products through Software Oasis, they only offer downloads and licencing. anyway I think I will try your program if you have it in CJ, perhaps you will be an exception, good luck!

08-27-2001, 12:51 PM	#9
Bassmaster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: LR, AR Posts: 19	Trial lasts for 7 days, and the cookie duration will be 30 days. We are steady making sales today, with just inhouse traffic, and the customers haven't even had time for the trial to runout. I know everyone has heard this before, but I want to pay out commissions. The more transactions our affiliates have, the more we are making. I'm easily reached by phone or email and usually reply within at least a couple hours. In effect, affiliates will have fast turnaround for support. Rgds, Shawn