Best approach to starting an affiliate program?

A question about different affiliate approaches

[Ashley88]

I'm looking for opinions on various approaches to starting an affiliate program, as a merchant.

As of now, the options on the table are the following:
*developing the code in-house
*using software like Post Affiliate
*or paying for a managed affiliate program such as Linkshare etc.

The last of the options seems the most streamlined, but these services can be pricey. Does anyone have recommendations/comments about the different companies?

And software? Is it reliable? Obviously cost-efficient...until something breaks.

In-house production seems ultra-complex and really useless.

Any experience or opinions are much appreciated.

thanks!

[eljefe3]

Some of this is covered in this thread [webmasterworld.com...]