iblaine - 6:45 pm on Mar 1, 2004 (gmt 0)

For the ~$5000 it takes to start up an affiliate program consider what you get in return. Consolidated payments to your publishers, tracking, reporting, scaleability, and affiliate support to name a few. The cost is high to support these technologies and personel resources. It's also high to weed out small advertisers. If you're a small adv then look at something like monstercomerce or myaffilaiteprogram. If you're more serious about affiliate marketing then check out some big networks:
CJ
Befree
Linkshare
Fastclick
Performics
Advertising.com

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, large affiliate networks can be a good investment.