Join an affiliate network or purchase an affiliate script?

I run a site that I want affiliates to be able to promote...

[dreamache]

I'm thinking of starting an affiliate program.

The question I have is should I just purchase an affiliate script (or code my own), OR try and join an affiliate network that has established affiliates already?

Thanks.

[edited by: eljefe3 at 1:39 am (utc) on Sep. 22, 2008]

[webboy1]

We currently manage 2 affiliate programs. The first is an internally built / coded solution while the second is through one of the UKs best known affiliate network providers.

To be honest, each has its benefits and down sides. Running an internal program gives you complete control over features, complete access to affiliates and reduces the monthly costs (e.g. no monthly management fees or signup fees).

Running with an established provider means you don't have to worry about uptime / develpment (that's their job), access to a number of affiliates and access to experience affiliate account managers.

We were lucky with our internal program since we already had a significant customer base who we knew would use it.

My advice would be to go with the established provider unless you are very confident with creating / managing your own scripts. There is no reason you cannot still promote the program to your customers.

If however you are super confident in coding an affiliate systems, and you have a large enough customer base to generate usage, then in the long term the self managed version would save you money.

Tough decision ... thus the reason we do both.

[jimbeetle]

I run a site that I want affiliates to be able to promote...

Affiliates usually promote products or services. So just to be clear, do you have products or services for them to promote? Or is this to be a more general PPC banner campaign?