dalguard - 3:26 pm on Aug 7, 2002 (gmt 0)

In the field of books where else are you going to go? I do have a relationship with a niche-specific vendor (through LinkShare). It's similar in terms of percentages. The payout schedule is theoretically better (every month over $10) but because I use Amazon whenever I can I haven't earned enough to get a single check from them yet. I checked out B&N's affiliate program once but it was even worse (at least at the time). People will buy from Amazon. They probably have an Amazon account already. It helps.

IMO the problem is not that Amazon won't pay enough per sale, it's that the conversion rate is so hideously low. 48,000 visits = 50 sales. That speaks for itself, don't you think?

Now if your niche involves mostly first timers (say you cater to new parents) then you can probably do better, but if you've developed a site with good user loyalty then most of the visitors have seen those links, looked at those books, and either bought them or they ain't gonna. New books aren't going to come out often enough for you to be lining your pockets with gold.

I'm just saying you're not going to retire selling books on your website. If you can sell power tools or vacation cruises or motorcycles or get people to click on banner ads for porn or casinos, then maybe you have a chance.