Lead generation affiliate program: Join a network or DIY?

[Clay213]

If there are similar posts I should read-- please point me to them.

My company is looking to launch an affiliate program for lead generation, and I am going to be in charge of administration and implimenting it.

I'm interested in hearing people's experiences doing something like this.

What do I need to know?
What's cost effective?

Would you recommend doing it ourselves, or joining a network?

This just got dropped on me a few hours ago, and I don't have much information yet so I am just trying to get my bearings.

Thanks

[eljefe3]

Clay,

First thing I'd suggest is to look at your competition and see what they are paying, how they are doing it etc. as this will give you a good basis as to where to start.

[Anish]

Clay,

I agree with eljefe3. But to point out there are three ways of doing it 1. Join a network
2. yourself by creating your own tracking software
3. yourself by buying an affiliate software.

Personally I believe if you have skilled engineers make the software inhouse and run it. Initially you might find it difficult to find webamasters joining your program but if your referrals are good and competetive it will grow well.

I dont see any issues in joining a network but an inhouse gives me freedom to enhance my program at my freewill plus add features/tools for my publishers. Also note an affiliate program can only grow if you provide your publishers the right tools to promote your site.

PS. if leads would convert into some form of paid service give bonus on that too, to your publishers.

Best of luck
cheers.

[vite_rts]

Hi

A couple of critical points

1, Do you have the time to do it in house?

2, Do you have the skills to do it inhouse?

3, Do you as a company have the image, standing, to attract
webmasters to your cause?

4, Are you ready to spend a little fortune setting this up, and then
then advertising for web masters?

Unless you are a firm with lottsa web related tech know how and loads off cash already, ,,,,,

There are quite a few affiliate networks out there an they are used by internet giants who could probably say yes to all the questions above, but still elect to use affiliate networks anyway

Good luck

[Michael Anthony]

You's probably be better of trialling it with one or two big affiliates, who would be able to help you refine the campaign to a point where it's known to work, then contact a network or launch your own program as you desire.

It certainly doesn't need to be a high cost thing to start with, and a little experimenting whilst the program is small can reap huge dividends when you launch it to the wider world.

[Clay213]

Thanks everyone for the help.

Are there any guides you would recommend? The main question I can think about programming the software in house, is how are payments handled?

Anything that can help point me in the right direction is appreciated.

[vite_rts]

Erm, are you asking that question as the chap going to build a mission critical system, for your employers,,

[Clay213]

OK,

It turns out I jumped the gun a bit on this.

They just want me to find out what our options are and the kinds of costs associated with them. Any direction on that would be great.

[eljefe3]

Cost is going to vary widely if you outsource. If you do it in house, then you need to look at hiring someone to run it.