Business Thread: Your Wishlist for Affiliate Programs.

[Taboo]

What features are most important to you in an affiliate program?
What features would you like to see that no one or too few offer?
What features do you REQUIRE or you look elsewhere?

Please share...

For me:

my short list of features I look for, not all are necessary components, but this is my wishlist:
- Real time stats
- Frequent Payouts
- PPS & Revshare options... cause sometimes I prefer revshare
- Multi-tiered webmaster referrals
- Eternal Cookies
- RSS Feeds
- Bonus Payouts
- Paid on exits, cross-sells, upsells, etc.

Even if your feature list is similar to mine, please repost it so I can see how important certain features are to everybody. I know some people love getting rewards, prizes, etc... some people don't care...

If anyone's got any suggestions or features for an affiliate program to implement... please share. If you're ever wanted to see something in an affiliate program or any staples that must be included, let me know... let's just say... I'm curious.

This list isn't just for me for any program I launch in the future, this is a list that all sponsors should contribute to & be aware of.

I'm sure GFY is a vault of business insight & knowledge, let's tap into it.


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[Jace]

I don't know who told you that anyone wants eternal cookies, but I would never promote anyone with a lifetime cookie....

I guess you didn't see all the drama and links that came down when fleshlight decided they were going to do that, huh?

[Libertine]

Originally Posted by Jace

I don't know who told you that anyone wants eternal cookies, but I would never promote anyone with a lifetime cookie....

I guess you didn't see all the drama and links that came down when fleshlight decided they were going to do that, huh?

Huh? That's weird... non-expiring cookies would be replaced anyway with a new affiliate sending the same person, so it should only mean that once you send a hit, that hit is yours until someone else sends it.

[Jace]

Originally Posted by punkworld

Huh? That's weird... non-expiring cookies would be replaced anyway with a new affiliate sending the same person, so it should only mean that once you send a hit, that hit is yours until someone else sends it.

in another thread taboo said

"For first crop of affiliates, I'll setup eternal cookies so if surfers ever come back & convert "EVER"... you'll get (some form of) credit for that surfer (even if someone else referred them before/after you). ."

I won't have any part of a program that does that

[Jace]

cookies should always be overwritten by the latest person sending the sale, period...it is the only fair way of doing things and should be an industry standard

i don't mind like you said punkworld...I lifetime cookie that is overwritten if someone else sends that person....but a lifetime cookie that is never overwritten is just absurd

[Pandemos]

Staff that answer emails, you can add that to the list.

[scottybuzz]

you sure fucking can sterling cash are the most useless cunts ever at that

[Libertine]

Originally Posted by Jace

cookies should always be overwritten by the latest person sending the sale, period...it is the only fair way of doing things and should be an industry standard

i don't mind like you said punkworld...I lifetime cookie that is overwritten if someone else sends that person....but a lifetime cookie that is never overwritten is just absurd

Yeah, if it doesn't get overwritten it's a different matter, lol. That would make it virtually impossible for any new webmaster to make any sales on an older program

[Jace]

Originally Posted by punkworld

Yeah, if it doesn't get overwritten it's a different matter, lol. That would make it virtually impossible for any new webmaster to make any sales on an older program

that is what fleshlight was going to do til everyone bitched enough

they had a lifetime locked cookie...LOL...that lasted a total of about 4 hours

[FuckU2]

I want a program that has :
1. Has well designed sites
2. Good original content
3. Updates regularly
4. Pays weekly ( CCbill or Epoch )
5. Doesnt use IBILL ( or any of its recent incarnations like Maturebill etc )
6. Has some history in this business ( ie been around for more than 6 months 5 years is better ! )
7. Not interested in free stuff like Ipod's etc ( if i do my job i can buy them from the cash i will make ? )
8. Support ( this should be #1 really )
9. Good supply of promo images that i can use
10. Loads of video samples and content on the site

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Jace

in another thread taboo said

"For first crop of affiliates, I'll setup eternal cookies so if surfers ever come back & convert "EVER"... you'll get (some form of) credit for that surfer (even if someone else referred them before/after you). ."

I won't have any part of a program that does that

I replied to your over there and why we're considering implementing it for mainstream:

keep in mind this is for our mainstream sites and I quote:

/////

every surfer will be tagged to the person who referred him originally. I'd prefer to only give credit to ORIGINAL referrer (less of a nightmare and to avoid any backlash from affiliates, accusations, etc) but some of our beta testers wondered why we don't give credit to other's who have referred that surfer, if let's say, a long period of time has passed (90 days, etc) between when the surfer first visited us and when and who they sign up under. so we're aggressively looking for the right solution that's win/win/win.

keep in mind, then nature of both sites are based on referrals, viral promotion, etc.

perhaps:

Affiliate #1 refers Surfer #1 who does not sign up.
90 days later: Affiliate #2 refers Surfer#1 who signs up because they are friends, co-workers, etc...

who gets credit? 1, both, if 1 then which one. I'm trying to spread the wealth. If you take into consideration what most sponsors do with their cookies (2 weeks, 30 days, 48 hours, even worse) I thought I was being very generous offering an eternal cookie. Because, in my mind, perhaps Surfer #2 ONLY signed up because he remembered seeing the site the first time around and impressed the site's still active (implies longevity), and then was reinforced by his friends that it's a great site (viral)... so this is one of the solutions we came up with our mainstream focus group of testers. not perfect, but we're evolving.

but if you have any suggestions, and I do value them, let me know.

/////

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by punkworld

Huh? That's weird... non-expiring cookies would be replaced anyway with a new affiliate sending the same person, so it should only mean that once you send a hit, that hit is yours until someone else sends it.

like you and jace were saying... I like the lifetime until another person tags that surfer. interesting.

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Taboo

good insight.

not trying to reinvent the wheel... just trying to be generous... perhaps to a fault.

damned if you do, damned if you don't... I guess unless no one knew you were going to do it in the first place.

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I do like the concept of a tiered system though....current affiliate gets 60%, and second affiliate gets a 10% bonus or something like that....it COULD work, but you never know how well til you try, you know?

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Pandemos

Staff that answer emails, you can add that to the list.

funny thing is that this should be mandatory, but seldom is. maybe a support forum that is watched over constantly. I was thinking about doing an affiliate meeting once a week like a shareholders meeting, where staff will answer all questions for 1-3 hours during a set time period every week so affiliates, who are truly our bread and butter, can have their questions answered and have one large brainstorming session. save email for emergencies, etc... forum for Q&A, etc...

but we'll see how long that lasts.

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[Taboo]

Originally Posted by FuckU2

I want a program that has :
1. Has well designed sites
2. Good original content
3. Updates regularly
4. Pays weekly ( CCbill or Epoch )
5. Doesnt use IBILL ( or any of its recent incarnations like Maturebill etc )
6. Has some history in this business ( ie been around for more than 6 months 5 years is better ! )
7. Not interested in free stuff like Ipod's etc ( if i do my job i can buy them from the cash i will make ? )
8. Support ( this should be #1 really )
9. Good supply of promo images that i can use
10. Loads of video samples and content on the site

thanks for sharing.

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[Quickdraw]

Taboo,

I wrote a small script for a pretty well known mainstream guy, and did the cookies how you suggested above.(Initial affiliates cookie was NOT overwritten by second affiliate)
It was a matter of hours that affiliates were complaining about the second affiliate not getting credit for sales.

I would have to say whether it be mainstream or adult, locked cookies will not be in your favor.

[Libertine]

Originally Posted by Taboo

like you and jace were saying... I like the lifetime until another person tags that surfer. interesting.

It's by far the best way to reward those who send traffic in the best way without harming other affiliates. If someone is sent to a site, doesn't join immediately but comes back and signs up by himself a few days later, the affiliate probably is responsible for that. If someone sends a semi-blind hit, the surfer clicks the site away, but is later sent by another affiliate who actively tries to make the sale, clearly the semi-blind hit shouldn't get credit for it.

[Taboo]

I forgot to add:

depending on type of sponsor, I like having these options:

- Co-Branding (my logo plus sponsors')
- Private Labels (my logo on site/layout, no sponsor logos)
- BYOT (Build your own tour) which is sometimes similar to BYOS (Build your own site, what webcams.com just announced here)

all in all, I like options.

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[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Jace

I do like the concept of a tiered system though....current affiliate gets 60%, and second affiliate gets a 10% bonus or something like that....it COULD work, but you never know how well til you try, you know?

I'll try to work something out. can't make everyone happy, but by the same token, don't want to piss everyone off either.


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[Juilan]

Accurate historical stats, campaign management, 404 pages with my ref codes on them, no traffic leaks.

[Jace]

one thing I really hate is the fact that there are no standard banners sizes anymore.....every program has different size banners, and even when you get into a single program, each site in the program uses different sized banners....that is the most annoying shit in the world

Sometimes I design headers or sidebars around banner sizes, so when sponsors are so inconsistant with their sizes it gets real annoying

be consistant with your sizes...in fact, be consistant with EVERYTHING....don't jump around so much...and if you do jump around, jump around in the same spots as before, just add new spots in the new jumps

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by FuckU2

I want a program that has :
1. Has well designed sites
2. Good original content
3. Updates regularly
4. Pays weekly ( CCbill or Epoch )
5. Doesnt use IBILL ( or any of its recent incarnations like Maturebill etc )
6. Has some history in this business ( ie been around for more than 6 months 5 years is better ! )
7. Not interested in free stuff like Ipod's etc ( if i do my job i can buy them from the cash i will make ? )
8. Support ( this should be #1 really )
9. Good supply of promo images that i can use
10. Loads of video samples and content on the site

Sounds like you're talking about AMC


Mike.......

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Mike D

Sounds like you're talking about AMC


Mike.......

www.adultmegacash.com ?

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Jace

www.adultmegacash.com ?

www.adultmovieclub.com


Mike......

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Quickdraw

Taboo,

I wrote a small script for a pretty well known mainstream guy, and did the cookies how you suggested above.(Initial affiliates cookie was NOT overwritten by second affiliate)
It was a matter of hours that affiliates were complaining about the second affiliate not getting credit for sales.

I would have to say whether it be mainstream or adult, locked cookies will not be in your favor.

good to know, thanks.

I'm trying to offer "shared credit" if surfer is sent from multiple affiliates. I have to figure out the fairest payout weight 50/50, 10/90, 90/10, etc... and also factor in length of time that has passed, i.e. maybe:

- Eternal until overwritten
- Eternal, but after X days, must share credit with any new referer.

lots to work out.

I'm trying to incentivize affiliates to sign up sooner than later and promote the sites heavier in the beginning so that they get their original cookie in place. but I don't wish to cannibalize my own program or impact anyone's earnings.

perhaps there is another solution... that I just thought of.


.

[Jace]

Wanna really shake shit up? Do away with cookies and find some other way to track visitors....and get so big that it become a favored way of tracking...that way in 5 years everyone will say "well, SOANDSO did it first"

go down in history

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by punkworld

It's by far the best way to reward those who send traffic in the best way without harming other affiliates. If someone is sent to a site, doesn't join immediately but comes back and signs up by himself a few days later, the affiliate probably is responsible for that. If someone sends a semi-blind hit, the surfer clicks the site away, but is later sent by another affiliate who actively tries to make the sale, clearly the semi-blind hit shouldn't get credit for it.

good points. I'm flexible and willing to evolve.



... alright going to lunch... will reply, hopefully everyone can keep the thread alive.


.

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[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Juilan

Accurate historical stats, campaign management, 404 pages with my ref codes on them, no traffic leaks.

404...

interesting.

thanks.

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Jace

one thing I really hate is the fact that there are no standard banners sizes anymore.....every program has different size banners, and even when you get into a single program, each site in the program uses different sized banners....that is the most annoying shit in the world

Sometimes I design headers or sidebars around banner sizes, so when sponsors are so inconsistant with their sizes it gets real annoying

be consistant with your sizes...in fact, be consistant with EVERYTHING....don't jump around so much...and if you do jump around, jump around in the same spots as before, just add new spots in the new jumps

funniest post I've read all day... cause it's so true.

jump around, jump around... LOL.


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[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Jace

Wanna really shake shit up? Do away with cookies and find some other way to track visitors....and get so big that it become a favored way of tracking...that way in 5 years everyone will say "well, SOANDSO did it first"

go down in history

correction... this is the funniest post I've read all day... cause it's impossible. well, maybe not. I'll see what WE (you and I) can come up with.


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[Jace]

Originally Posted by Taboo

correction... this is the funniest post I've read all day... cause it's impossible. well, maybe not. I'll see what WE (you and I) can come up with.


.

yeah, I know it is impossible...but we all can dream can't we? LOL

is there feasibly ANY way to track without cookies?

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Taboo

funniest post I've read all day... cause it's so true.

jump around, jump around... LOL.


.

it really is annoying....sponsors have actually missed out on sales and traffic from me because of inconsistancy

[seeric]

bump for more. some of us are watching.

[Taboo]

back from lunch & dessert

Originally Posted by Jace

yeah, I know it is impossible...but we all can dream can't we? LOL

is there feasibly ANY way to track without cookies?

my techie says there may be a way.


.

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by A1R3K

bump for more. some of us are watching.

that's good to hear.

yeah, but too many lurkers... threads like this need lots of brainstorming. it's vital that others share/contribute... but some are too afraid to speak or couldn't care less, usually the latter group are the ones that end up speaking out.

care to share some of your wishlist features?

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[Sexy Rex]

How about posting Convertion ratios and retention numbers over 18 months in real time as we do? http://www.totemcash.com/free/figures.php

I don't see much other sponsors being as transparent out there...

[Taboo]

How important is it for affiliates to have access to the site they are promoting?

I'm thinking of providing VIP access but with limitations. As an affiliate, it's important to ME to be able to "see" what I'm selling, but I don't necessarily need to "feel" it. I like to know I'm pushing a good product, and if it's revshare, I want to see how often they update. But as a Sponsor, I wouldn't want to give "All Access" passes to countless webmasters for obvious reasons (surfers in disguise, bandwidth concerns, content theft, etc.) Maybe provide affiliates with a "Behind the Scenes" membership that allows them to surf the site, see what's going on, but under a more watchful eye.

Kind of like going to a nightclub where you get to go into the DJ booth, but you don't get to dance. Or you get to go behind the bar and see what we're pouring, but you don't get to sample everything. (maybe those aren't the best illustrations, but you see where I'm coming from)

(obviously webmasters who are Whales or "Trusted" are exceptions to the rule)

Anyone know of any Sponsors that give full or limited access to affiliates? Most importantly, any sponsors reading this that used to offer it but discontinued? if so, what were the reasons?

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[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Sexy Rex

How about posting Convertion ratios and retention numbers over 18 months in real time as we do? http://www.totemcash.com/free/figures.php

I don't see much other sponsors being as transparent out there...

very nice & great suggestion. I'm joining your program now.

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[Lazonby]

Allow affiliates to put their own logos on images and videos, so that they are not providing free advertising.

[Sexy Rex]

Originally Posted by Taboo

How important is it for affiliates to have access to the site they are promoting?

I'm thinking of providing VIP access but with limitations. As an affiliate, it's important to ME to be able to "see" what I'm selling, but I don't necessarily need to "feel" it. I like to know I'm pushing a good product, and if it's revshare, I want to see how often they update. But as a Sponsor, I wouldn't want to give "All Access" passes to countless webmasters for obvious reasons (surfers in disguise, bandwidth concerns, content theft, etc.) Maybe provide affiliates with a "Behind the Scenes" membership that allows them to surf the site, see what's going on, but under a more watchful eye.

Kind of like going to a nightclub where you get to go into the DJ booth, but you don't get to dance. Or you get to go behind the bar and see what we're pouring, but you don't get to sample everything. (maybe those aren't the best illustrations, but you see where I'm coming from)

(obviously webmasters who are Whales or "Trusted" are exceptions to the rule)

Anyone know of any Sponsors that give full or limited access to affiliates? Most importantly, any sponsors reading this that used to offer it but discontinued? if so, what were the reasons?

.

We give free access to members areas to all our webmasters. You need to do one sale on a site to gain access, that's to make sure we don't lose sales with surfers joining the affiliation program just to get access... Furthermore, as we're selling desktop strippers, any images and videos from our members area can be freely used for promotion ;)
Ok, I'll stop the spam from here.. hehe.

[jmk]

Originally Posted by Sexy Rex

How about posting Convertion ratios and retention numbers over 18 months in real time as we do? http://www.totemcash.com/free/figures.php

I don't see much other sponsors being as transparent out there...

VERY nice Rex

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Sexy Rex

How about posting Convertion ratios and retention numbers over 18 months in real time as we do? http://www.totemcash.com/free/figures.php

I don't see much other sponsors being as transparent out there...

I could care less about that shit, I see other sponsors do it, and it is fun to look at, but plays absolutely no importance into what I I am going to do with your program

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Taboo

How important is it for affiliates to have access to the site they are promoting?

I'm thinking of providing VIP access but with limitations. As an affiliate, it's important to ME to be able to "see" what I'm selling, but I don't necessarily need to "feel" it. I like to know I'm pushing a good product, and if it's revshare, I want to see how often they update. But as a Sponsor, I wouldn't want to give "All Access" passes to countless webmasters for obvious reasons (surfers in disguise, bandwidth concerns, content theft, etc.) Maybe provide affiliates with a "Behind the Scenes" membership that allows them to surf the site, see what's going on, but under a more watchful eye.

Kind of like going to a nightclub where you get to go into the DJ booth, but you don't get to dance. Or you get to go behind the bar and see what we're pouring, but you don't get to sample everything. (maybe those aren't the best illustrations, but you see where I'm coming from)

(obviously webmasters who are Whales or "Trusted" are exceptions to the rule)

Anyone know of any Sponsors that give full or limited access to affiliates? Most importantly, any sponsors reading this that used to offer it but discontinued? if so, what were the reasons?

.

there are a couple of programs that do this, but only do it to active affiliates...you have to send X # of hits, or a single sale, to prove that you are actually a webmaster....I love that

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Lazonby

Allow affiliates to put their own logos on images and videos, so that they are not providing free advertising.

Hmmm... interesting, but are you talking about on FHGs or your own hosting? Would content owners have a problem with this? would 2257 be an issue if you are watermarking something that's not a FHG?

which sponsors offer this?

.

[jmk]

Originally Posted by Jace

there are a couple of programs that do this, but only do it to active affiliates...you have to send X # of hits, or a single sale, to prove that you are actually a webmaster....I love that

can you say who? thanks

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Sexy Rex

We give free access to members areas to all our webmasters. You need to do one sale on a site to gain access, that's to make sure we don't lose sales with surfers joining the affiliation program just to get access... Furthermore, as we're selling desktop strippers, any images and videos from our members area can be freely used for promotion ;)
Ok, I'll stop the spam from here.. hehe.

don't stop.. keep spamming. that's partly what this thread is for. At least you're smart enough to discuss these topics with affiliates. Gotta respect a sponsor that takes the time to see what affiliates want/need, etc... sign of a good sponsor.

and this part is really good news:

Originally Posted by Sexy Rex

any images and videos from our members area can be freely used for promotion ;)

now what about some feedback on our other list items above? which do you offer? have you tried any features that didn't work out too well (no one liked or cared about), or features that affiliates loved?

thanks in advance...


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[Jace]

Originally Posted by jmk

can you say who? thanks

APC and PerfectGonzo are 2 that I know right off the top of my head

almost every program will give you access though, just email the support and ask....I have user/pass to almost every site I promote right now

[Taboo]

Originally Posted by Jace

there are a couple of programs that do this, but only do it to active affiliates...you have to send X # of hits, or a single sale, to prove that you are actually a webmaster....I love that

yes that works out quite nicely. great strategy.

[Mr.Right - Banned For Life]

Some really good ideas there.

[Taboo]

where's WOJ?