Affiliate service that manages payments and tracking only

Looking for a service that will provide taffiliate tracking and payment

[rickhr]

We've been looking for an affiliate service provider that will track affiliate conversions and make payments to affiliates. The catch is that we don't want to buy into an affiliate network. We're really just looking to outsource the technology and accounting. Are there any services out there that do this?

[markwelch]

What is your objection to working with a network? If you hire an outside company to just "track and pay" affiliates, you'll almost certainly pay MORE than you'd pay to an affiliate network like ShareASale.com.

I believe that any of the "affiliate networks" and "affiliate technology providers" (Kowabunga, LinkShare, Performics, AvantLink) could probably do what you want, but probably at GREATER COST than if you participated in their networks.

I know that at least one "Outsourced Program Management" (OPM) company also does this, using (I think) the DirecTrack software, and I assume there are others, too. Try searching for "outsourced program managers" and "affiliate program" on a search engine. But again, you'll probably pay such firms MORE than you'd pay a "network" like ShareASale, and get the same or less service.

Paying affiliates requires a fair amount of effort, which is made MORE difficult and complex if you use a third party to manage the payments -- unless you can consolidate your payments with those of other merchants, using the "network" model.

My advice: explore the cost of using ShareASale, and perhaps some lower-tier networks like ShareResults, ClixGalore, etc.