Tracking and logging in unique affiliate

[Thirdcatgy]

Hi,

Rookie here.

I am currently attempting to put in place an affiliate system b/t myself and a local sales company which markets high end products. My site will simply provide an extended level of marketing with SEO in mind, preferably routing email and phone inquiries directly to the Sales Company.

My question lies in how to properly set something like this up because I don't want to be a contact middle man, however would like to receive a commission if the inquiry ultimately results in a sale.

I'm interested in establishing some level of accountability is this regard. Thus, the questions are:

- How would you effectively track email inquiries not only when it passes on to the client(sales co.), but also continued communication beyond this between the interested party and the sales company?

- What would be the best way to handle phone inquries? I'd really like to have their 800# on my site so i would not have to answer calls but I don't see any other good options?

- Also, are there options I'm overlooking?

Thanks so much in advance for any insight.

Billy

[DaveN]

The biggest thing is trust, it's so easy for the supplier to step out of the loop while you are handing over the customer.

Email : you could setup a forwarding system

customer emails you -> you log customer email in a database and pass on the [e-mail] to the supplier forcing him to deal through you.

Telephone once you have matched the two together the only thing you can really do is call the customer a couple of weeks later and make sure that every thing went ok. if the supplier say they didn't buy ask them why as part of your ongoing customer service if the supplier lied and they did buy ditch the the supplier.

DaveN