Software to create affiliate site without joining affiliate network

affiliate software

[Kevin_Finn]

Here's my problem:

I don't know which software to use to track the sales that I generate for my merchants.

Here's what I'm trying to do:

I am in the process of creating a site which will act as a blog/affiliate by providing short product reviews/discussions and then links into the online stores of merchants selling that specific good. I realize that I can join affiliate networks (which simply require me to put a banner on my site), but I am interested in targeting a very specific niche which will require me to build my own merchants.

Question:

Does anyone know which software works well for this (i.e. linking into a merchants' store, tracking sales volume, and then charging a commission)?

I have looked at DirectTrack software and other similar providers, but they seem too expensive.

Thanks for the feedback!

Kevin

[jimbeetle]

Hi Kevin,

Welcome to Webmaster World.

Unless I totally misread your post I think your thinking on being an affiliate might be a little bit turned around.

In the affiliate marketing world the merchant, or affiliate sponsor, sets up the program (either in-house or using a 3rd-party network), determines the specifics and provides the tools. Unless you're a super affiliate there really is no way to set up what you describe.

As for what you want to do, target a very specific niche, that's a great strategy that many very successful affiliates follow. And there are many affiliate programs across a variety of industries and niches that offer different ways of linking, from the very general to very specific product pages.

Investigate the programs that operate in your niche and try to get past the "just put a banner on your page" program sponsors. E-mail the affiliate program manager with any questions that aren't answered up front, specifically on deep linking to product pages.

Good luck.

[Beagle]

If you've decided on particular sites you'd like to link to, check them out to see if they have an affiliate program, as many sites do. Jimbeetle's advice on how to get the best out of an affiliate program will be very helpful.

[Receptional]

Hi Kevin,

If your market is extremely niche, I doubt there will be many affiliate programs to suit. So, my advice would be to sell on your own site - shopping cart, web forms - whatever your "merchants" would buy. Forget the idea that they are "Merchants" though, and start thinking of them as "suppliers".

Target companies in your sector who have NO idea about web sites. Guys who love their business, not the web. Make unique deals with them... then you become an affiliate of one.

It's a model that works. You get to also retain the web user and use that to get resale opportuinities. So go get a good newsletter system as well ;)

[Kevin_Finn]

I definitely understand all of your points, but there are no merchants in my niche that have affiliate programs, and I can't sell the goods through my site because I am trying to leverage a Web 2.0 community. If I sell directly, then I become biased, and that's the last thing I want for consumers.

So, any more advice. I have found DirectTrack which allows me to set up my own affiliate network and enroll merchants. But it's expensive and seems like to much firepower for what I'm trying to do.

Does anyone make affiliate software identicle to a merchant's solution, but just from the opposite side? (i.e. farm out code to merchant's thank you pages and track sales volume in order to charge commissions)

Thanks for everyone's input so far. This is truly helpful.

Regards,
Kevin

[Kevin_Finn]

Hey Everybody. I found a solution to my problem.

[edited by: eljefe3 at 2:20 am (utc) on May 12, 2006]
[edit reason] no url's please [/edit]

[Nuttakorn]

Do you have any suggestion of affiliate network which not much costly lie CJ, Linkshare? It is likely small business or start-up business that accept that. Please help me to find out that suitable for us. Our website is hotel reservations and travel services.