Start up ecommerce site and affiliate program

Need Some Help/Advice

[Num85]

I've hit a bit of a low as an online merchant and thought that this was the best place to come.
I launched by ecommerce site and its affiliate program (with SAS) around 3-4 months ago. I have marketed it via Press release, adbrite, affiliate program, link building and directories and now I have started to write articles. I also have quite a few coupons as well.
However I am in a VERY competitive niche and have YET to make my first sale. Its getting frustrating and quite worrying and as a new merchant I don't know what to do. I've given some thought to launching on a bigger affiliate network like CJ but know that it will cost a lot more money.

Do any merchants have any words of wisdom from their experience?

[Marcia]

>>I've given some thought to launching on a bigger affiliate network

You'll still have to promote the program yourself and do the recruiting, and also make sure your program is attractive enough to convince affiliates promoting competitors to consider your program.

In your place I'd seriously consider outsourcing the program management to an experienced OPM, or at least invest in a consultation with one.

[Num85]

I've given that some thought and it would probably be the best option. I think I have a good affiliate program, paying 50% per sale with a 5% downline and 60 day cookies. The niche I'm in may be very competitive but it is lucrative and the product types are know to sell well.
I've contacted a few affiliate managers to request a quote and await their response.
I've heard a few merchants say that it can take a few months in some industries to make their first sale, I'm experiencing that first hand :-)
I almost gave up recently, then I read a few posts here and decided to give it another go.
on the subject of affiliate programs, is it wise to invest close to 100% into my program in a niche like this? or should I do something else?

[edited by: Num85 at 7:05 pm (utc) on July 14, 2007]

[King_Fisher]

You have to know when to hold em and know when to fold em!

Don't know your product but if the completion is fierce and after a decent
amount of time,money and effort your not making any progress it might be
time to strike the tent and move on. Good Luck! KF

[Num85]

I'm going to drudge on a bit more, keep my fingers crossed and see where it takes me. After all:

When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out:
Don't give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tints of the clouds of doubt
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

[edited by: Num85 at 7:46 pm (utc) on July 14, 2007]

[hippypink]

if it's VERY competitive, then you should be VERY smart to beat the competition, VERY committed, VERY resourceful, VERY skilled to understanding your market....sorry--i am being humorous, butt it is true in a way. I am in a very competitive market for 5 years now, and am barely gaining traction. Then again, I have a company with 10+ people too. It's annoying as anything, but some days, I think getting a million bucks or two would really help me get where I want to be.

[hippypink]

numbers to go on:

are you getting any traffic, and is any of it converting? These two questions are key to helping you determine where the problem lies. If i is your website/product, the only way I can think of is to survey lots of people who know your product, web design, etc...