If you were an affiliate operator.....

[PhilF (ex-WhichBingo)]

If you were an affiliate operator and wanted to set up the PERFECT affiliate programme for affiliate webmasters, what features would you include?

Serious answers only please ("100% commission on lifetime plus $1000 CPA " doesn't count......)

[universal4]

I would not offer CPA but revshare and maybe a hybrid combo revshare and cpa.

Stats that included visitor stats (clicks) as well as as much details as possible about the conversions and visitors.

Campaign tracking that was easy for the affiliate to add to links that actually showed within the stats (including clicks)

If it was at all possible, at least a handfull of games that affiliates could run on their sites (flash, java, ??) that were easily customizable with the affiliates links embedded etc....for real play encouragement.

Reasonable highroller terms clearly defined in advance.

A LOT of discussion in advance of design and launch with affiliates asking them what THEY would like to see in way of terms, and features within an affiliate program.....(hmmmm kinda like you are now)....lol

Numerous discussions with Guard Dog when designing the TOC.

Numerous discussions with the developers about long term goals explaining the need of designing a backend system that can grow and scale without having to do a complete overhaul 2 years later...also making sure any changes that may be needed in the future always protected stats from current links provided to affiliates.

Just a few ideas off the top of my head....

Rick
Universal4

Oh yea, I almost forgot one.....making sure that Universal guy is well cared for......LOL

[Puma]

I would go back and view all the posts that I was bitching about something and not do that. I would be an amazing affiliate manager simply because Im not full of **** and I know what affiliates want. I would work alot with the small affiliates to bring them up to the same level as the big affiliates.

[Puma]

Here is my list

1. pay affiliates on time
2. Don't change terms
3. If I have to change terms for any reason, I would host a chat room and get affiliate feedback first
4. Invest in small affiliates who are full of fresh ideas and not simply placing a banner
5. work with numerous forums
6. have a forum specific to my affiliate program
7. reply to emails within 12-24 hours with no exceptions
8. have a monthly lunch in my area
9. keep all affiliates on msn and I would log in more than once a month
10. Have a tech team that actually knows what 468 x 60 really means
11. My program would hosts its own banners so affiliates dont have to save them
12. I would remove all affiliates who spam and ruin it for the rest of us.
13. I would host a party with free tequila all night long and then expect better results the next day

[universal4]

Puma, would a requirement of joining your program be to spank giggles?

If mnot, we could add that to my list....lol

Rick
Universal4

[Puma]

Puma, would a requirement of joining your program be to spank giggles?

If mnot, we could add that to my list....lol

Requirement? Are you kidding me? I am naming the whole damn affiliate program Spank Giggles.

[Puma]

,,,,,

[PhilF (ex-WhichBingo)]

good stuff so far, particulalrly from PCat.

Any more?

What about content supply? Banners? Unique creative? Affiliate promos?

[cass]

"I would go back and view all the posts that I was bitching about something and not do that. I would be an amazing affiliate manager simply because Im not full of **** and I know what affiliates want. I would work alot with the small affiliates to bring them up to the same level as the big affiliates."

I agree with Pumacat regarding the above, basically a new affiliate program/manager encapsulates all of the above!

Cass

[Marit VS]

If it was at all possible, at least a handfull of games that affiliates could run on their sites (flash, java, ??) that were easily customizable with the affiliates links embedded etc....for real play encouragement.

I think this is a good point - if you want affiliates to promote you in the best way possible, provide them with something more interesting to put on their website than just banners or pop-up adverts.