high end jewelry affiliate program

which affiliate network is the best for this?

[webdudek]

If a merchant which sells high end jewelry was looking for a network, which would be recommended?
I'm looking for the right affiliate network which would bring quality traffic to the merchant. (Merchant wants to pay affiliates percentage of the revenue)
Which network is the best for this area?
Is anyone experienced in this?
I tried to join cj, but it seems like they don't like new sites, and my site has just started.
thanks!

[edited by: eljefe3 at 1:34 am (utc) on May 9, 2007]
[edit reason] specifics edited out [/edit]

[skibum]

Blue Nile is on LinkShare, there are a bunch on CJ as well. The network probably doesn't matter as much as the program. High end jewelry like 5K+ engagement rings & related items often tend to take a while to convert so a long cookie 90, 120 days will help to attract affiliates.

[tahiti]

Just curious, since i am living outside from US or any other developed westerners country. when you guys are looking for something expensive, say a 5k wedding ring, do you really get it online? is that what's the majority looks like in the west?

[Marcia]

I've had a $7K diamond sale, and since that time have sent thousands of targeted clicks to a high end jewelry merchant at LS (not Blue Nile) with no sales.

As of now, Blue Nile (at LS) will not pay affiliate commissions on sales that are under $1K if Google Checkout is used; and from my experience, there's a price point limit to the ease and frequency of getting conversions, to a high degree depending on the price of the items.

There's a price threshhold where conversions can be expected, depending on the vertical and/or the niche or product line, and either they pay commissions on ALL sales, with a decent return day and commission amount, or it's nothing more than just giving the merhant free branding. No commish on sales under a certain amount? Unreasonably short return days? No thank you.

On higher end sales, return days are critical from an affiliate point of view, and with a space that has traditionally low % of conversions, the % paid per sale can mean the difference between choosing which program to promote, and even more importantly, the return days.

Truthfully, I'd suggest Shareasale (or Avantlink, another small ethical solution), since the startup/operating costs are lower and consequently, more can be afforded with offering good commission % payout as well as longer, more attractive return days.

It isn't so much the network as what kind of inducements you're offering and what you, yourself, are doing to recruit quality affiliates.

[skibum]

BN is the only one I've found that can fairly frequently convert the occasioanal 5-12.5K diamond purchase. But with BN, up to half the sales and especially the big ones show up non-commisionable becuase of the 30 day cookie they won't budge on. 12.5K maximum sale value payout also short changes the affiliate who can push really high end stuff. Not paying on the Google checkout stuff is just wrong and if you are selling lower end stuff, find a 5-bar CJ merchant that will pay for the traffic instead.

BN has the brand and so they can convert. Conversion rates for most high end jewelry are awful from an affiliate perspective though it is definitely a highly seasonal business.

Right now you have the option to send traffic to sites that don't convert it or can convert but have a short cookie so you'll only get paid for about 50-75% of the sales you generate in high end jewelry.

[Marcia]

I tried to join cj, but it seems like they don't like new sites, and my site has just started.

If you're the merchant and you're just starting out and can afford CJ's start-up, then I'd suggest going with a network with a lower startup cost (and a lower on-going fee/% schedule) and make an investment in the services of a good OPM who already has a stable of affiliates who are known to be consistent performers and who will aggressively promote the program to get it rolling. They'll also know who to incentivize to promote you by offering VIP commission levels to them. Or talk to Brian at SAS and see what he says about their in-house management for a high-end site in your vertical. At least with that network (or Avantlink) you can have a decent feed to offer and affiliates don't have to pay to use them and the lower cost makes it easier to be a bit more generous with commission and return days.

BN has the brand and so they can convert

There's a CJ merchant that has an excellent site and has the branding and carries a broader range of product lines, and I know they can convert in the other areas. Again, only 5% (with levels for higher performers) and 30 return days but they may be negotiable on that.

[edited by: Marcia at 12:43 am (utc) on May 19, 2007]