Affiliate Programs: Getting More for Less

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Driving home from work yesterday, I thought about the various low-cost marketing initiatives used to launch our affiliate program. I looked at our current strategies and realized that we needed to go back to the basics.

Over 85 percent of Web surfers search using search engines and Web directories. So, positioning your program where there is the most visibility is a smart tactical move. Enter search optimization. For maximum exposure, list your affiliate program in a wide range of places. Get your name out there. Target vertical affiliate directories and the top 400 search engines.

Learn the Basics

To make the right choices on where to list, start with the difference between a search engine and a Web directory. Search engines use technology to crawl the Web and index pages and sites. A Web directory relies on humans to develop listings. Check out How Search Engines Work.

You can also check out these resources:

• Search Engine Watch. A comprehensive guide to search engines, including submission tips, newsletters, resources, and reviews and ratings.
  
  
• Search Engine Guide. The definitive guide to all search engine information on the Internet. Four key components are search engines, knowledge base, newsletters, and a vendor directory.
  
  
• SearchIQ. Independent reviews and rankings to help you make informed choices in selecting search tools. It includes a free 50-page search engine positioning guide.
  
  
• Search Engine Success -- Ten Steps. Ten essential steps to help optimize your affiliate Web pages for search engines and directories.

Start Small, but List!

Your goal is to obtain highly qualified traffic and affiliates through the best listings. The first step is to start small by assigning one of your affiliate team members to manage this task. Before you start listing, you'll need:

• Your affiliate program's name
  
  
• URLs to your affiliate information pages
  
  
• Top 5-10 keywords for your affiliate program (affiliate, affiliate programs, auction affiliate programs, etc.)
  
  
• A 25-word description of your affiliate program

Next, start listing. Here are a few free listing resources:

• Submit Express. Submit your Web site URL to 40 major search engines.
  
  
• Promoteclick.com. Use this service to submit your Web site to 17 popular search engines.
  
  
• SelfPromotion.com. Automatically register your URL with over 100 search engines.
  
  
• Free Website Promotion. Submit your URL to the top 18 popular search engines.

Short on Time and Resources?

Select a company with search engine optimization (SEO) as a core competency. Or benefit from pay-for-performance sites such as GoTo.com to attract high-quality leads and reduce affiliate acquisition costs.

Increase your program's visibility with vertical affiliates and specialized resources.

Here are some vertical affiliates:

• Refer-it.com. Affiliate and associate programs abound at this search engine containing more than 1,000 listings. Read the FAQ for merchants and Webmasters.
  
  
• AffiliateFind.com. This revenue-sharing resource offers a directory search engine of affiliate, associate, referral, commission, pay-per-click, and partner programs.
  
  
• Associate-it.com. This is the ultimate directory of affiliate programs. The comprehensive directory lists hundreds of opportunities to partner with Internet merchants. See which programs have garnered high ratings.
  
  
• CashPile.com. CashPile is a directory and search engine for online revenue sharing. Browse a list of the affiliates and read an outline of its services.

And here are some SEO resources:

• 360 Traffic. This site guarantees that its search engine registration and optimization services will increase your site's traffic and sales.
  
  
• netOptimization. netOptimization is a leading SEO consultant and technology developer.
  
  
• 1st Place Ranking. This service offers a guaranteed top-20 placement program with a do-it-yourself plan or a full-service package.
  
  
• website-submission.com. This site helps you prepare your site for optimum placement, submit it to more than 900 search engines, and provide online reporting that allows you to monitor progress.
  
  
• IMG. IMG offers a comprehensive submission program and detailed tracking system.
  
  
• Web Ignite. This site offers customized programs and services based on a complete and thorough consideration of your market, competitors, and the most popular spider-type engines and editorial directories.
  
  
• Submit It! Submit your program to over 400 search engines and directories. A variety of programs are available, including a progress-tracking system.

Continued Support

Whew!

You've listed your program and optimized performance and placement within search engines and Web directories. Now it's time to check your results ranking.

Conduct a simple test: Visit sites where you've listed your program and type "affiliate program." Track where you are listed, how high you fall in the listings, and what the affiliate acquisition costs and conversion rates are. Ideally, you will have great conversion rates and be ranked in the top 20 (preferably the top 10) in the listings.

So to win in the affiliate game, you need to mind the basics. Learn, start small, and always continue your support. And you'll drive your program to wherever you want it to be.