Okay, let's talk retention. I've been affiliate webmaster for close to three years and I've checked out several big network sites' membership areas.
The key element that always strikes me is that retention can be achieved by offering a wide choice of content to users. Ease of navigation is not really a major concern....unconsciously or consciously. It seems the focus is more on numbing the user by the sheer volume of content that they have to keep coming back to sample the differing sections.
Another approach that I see is, although the content mix is the same, the presentation of the content is always changed--doing featured sets, user voting, etc This gives a well rotated, "active" feel to the site. I wonder how effective this is in keeping the surfer around.
There are other methods, but the fact that they are not uniformly implemented by many sites make me think that they are "hit or miss" propositions or approaches that were narrowly tailored for the particular membership base of a site.
Another consideration is PRICING. Many sites charge around $35 a month. Is this a premium for volume....at the expense of retention? Can it be the other way.... lower costs to retain the user?... Make it so "painless" that the user can afford to let it rebill?
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Originally posted by psyko514
retention... that's the word i've been looking for all day!
anyways, yes, you need to test all that stuff.
obviously, if your site has shit retention, people aren't going to be interested in pushing a partnership program.
but if your site has total shit retention, then you can't afford to offer a high payout on a PPS program if you still want to make some cash.
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