Okay for the past week I've been signing up to this affiliate program and that affiliate program.
I'm not going to name names as that's not the point of the post. What I'm going to do is point out the 'problems' I've run into. Hopefully this will get them to see the light and be more efficient.
First off, one big named affiliate program does an excellent job of simple, easy to use and post product. No razzle-dazzle menu laden webmaster consoles, just simple to use and get on about your business options. Only one problem with them, they should name their pics in an unique way instead of 1, 2, 3, etc. Like I've got all freakin' day renaming shit???
Other problems. Only 3 of them didn't email the webmaster with their acceptance data. We were prompted that we would be emailed yet days have dragged on. Those are days of unproductivity. 2 of these sites didn't even give you the " please print this information for your files " option.
Really fucked up.
Promo: If you intend to do an affiliate program and decide to provide banners for promo, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL to create them. It ain't that difficult. There are probably dozens right here on GFY alone.
Instructions: I'm a webmaster, not 'Scotty from Star Trek'. Your linking and program instructions should be understood at a glance. I'm trying to make money not decipher the ancient scrolls of Atlantis.
User/Password: If we sign up with a username and password that is approved, then that username/password should work after we've signed up. That raises a red flag because if our user/pass is screwed up, then what about our customers???
Galleries: If you're going to provide hosted galleries don't put things like ' For our webmasters only ' and still post them as accessible by us. We don't need more taunting. Also, if you're going to provide galleries don't tell us not to submit them to TGP or gallery posts. Suggestions like that might be seen by invading alien armies who would immediately know that some of us are too stupid to put up a resistance and we'd be soon found in alien concentration camps making care packages for Borg victims.
How about HIRING A PROFESSIONAL to design your free hosted galleries? I'm sure there are dozens here at GFY alone. ( brought to you by redundant common sense committee ).
Message boards: If you advertise that you have a webmaster's board on your affiliate site it would be a good idea to actually HAVE a webmaster's board. If not, remove the big-ass flickering colorful 60pt. text that says so. Message boards are valuable commodities as we can troubleshoot together.
Payouts: I'll leave that alone til I'm done with my surveys.
Support: That's what support means, SUPPORT, 'NOT' wiseass comebacks. If I wanted to be demeaned by someone who's solicited me to sell their product I would be a civil servant. A big red flag is raised when lack of accord is present. If you'll be a snide assed bitch to someone promoting your product how will you treat the customer buying it?
Blabbermouth: How in the hell does Joe Shmoe know I signed up for your program if I've not even begun to promote it yet? Oh, he heard it from Sam Shmam who got it from Sue Shmue while they were at the chili bar at the webmaster's convention. If I wanted others to know my business model and frequencies I would HAVE an affiliate program. What I make or made with your program is between me, you and Uncle Sam ONLY. If you want me to do a testimonial then email me.
Overall I'ld have to say 60% of the affiliate programs I've signed up for show promise. Only time and traffic and strategy will tell.
I'm not going to name names as that's not the point of the post. What I'm going to do is point out the 'problems' I've run into. Hopefully this will get them to see the light and be more efficient.
First off, one big named affiliate program does an excellent job of simple, easy to use and post product. No razzle-dazzle menu laden webmaster consoles, just simple to use and get on about your business options. Only one problem with them, they should name their pics in an unique way instead of 1, 2, 3, etc. Like I've got all freakin' day renaming shit???
Other problems. Only 3 of them didn't email the webmaster with their acceptance data. We were prompted that we would be emailed yet days have dragged on. Those are days of unproductivity. 2 of these sites didn't even give you the " please print this information for your files " option.
Really fucked up.
Promo: If you intend to do an affiliate program and decide to provide banners for promo, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL to create them. It ain't that difficult. There are probably dozens right here on GFY alone.
Instructions: I'm a webmaster, not 'Scotty from Star Trek'. Your linking and program instructions should be understood at a glance. I'm trying to make money not decipher the ancient scrolls of Atlantis.
User/Password: If we sign up with a username and password that is approved, then that username/password should work after we've signed up. That raises a red flag because if our user/pass is screwed up, then what about our customers???
Galleries: If you're going to provide hosted galleries don't put things like ' For our webmasters only ' and still post them as accessible by us. We don't need more taunting. Also, if you're going to provide galleries don't tell us not to submit them to TGP or gallery posts. Suggestions like that might be seen by invading alien armies who would immediately know that some of us are too stupid to put up a resistance and we'd be soon found in alien concentration camps making care packages for Borg victims.
How about HIRING A PROFESSIONAL to design your free hosted galleries? I'm sure there are dozens here at GFY alone. ( brought to you by redundant common sense committee ).
Message boards: If you advertise that you have a webmaster's board on your affiliate site it would be a good idea to actually HAVE a webmaster's board. If not, remove the big-ass flickering colorful 60pt. text that says so. Message boards are valuable commodities as we can troubleshoot together.
Payouts: I'll leave that alone til I'm done with my surveys.
Support: That's what support means, SUPPORT, 'NOT' wiseass comebacks. If I wanted to be demeaned by someone who's solicited me to sell their product I would be a civil servant. A big red flag is raised when lack of accord is present. If you'll be a snide assed bitch to someone promoting your product how will you treat the customer buying it?
Blabbermouth: How in the hell does Joe Shmoe know I signed up for your program if I've not even begun to promote it yet? Oh, he heard it from Sam Shmam who got it from Sue Shmue while they were at the chili bar at the webmaster's convention. If I wanted others to know my business model and frequencies I would HAVE an affiliate program. What I make or made with your program is between me, you and Uncle Sam ONLY. If you want me to do a testimonial then email me.
Overall I'ld have to say 60% of the affiliate programs I've signed up for show promise. Only time and traffic and strategy will tell.
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