Am I getting jerked around?

[anxvariety]

Hello, I recently inquired to the associate I'm working with about cookies.. Because I think users may be returning to buy products.

When a user clicks on a banner to the site, I get 22% of the sale.

Over 10% of my users are clicking on the better, yet 1% of that amount are actually buying.

The product is solid, and I think people want it.. nice site, clear information regarding the product.

So I asked the associate 'Can you cookie users so that I can get credit for a sale at a later date?'

He said they don't cookie users, as 'Users were outraged when they did this in the past'

Is he making this up? I've never had a single user complain on my site about my use of cookies.

I'm starting to think this is a pretty basic part of on affiliate getting at least a 30 day window of credit for a sale?

Thanks for your opinoins.
anx

[Birdman]

You cannot make them change their own rules. If you don't think you are getting a square deal, then tell them you are leaving them for a better affiliate plan. They may re-think their plan if members start jumping ship.

[ggrot]

He's right. 1% conversion is also not that bad. I have worse on my site (more like .1%), and it of course depends on the product/audience. Cookieing is nice to have for the affiliate, but there is no law that says it is required. And some people get a little upset about privacy, not really understanding the concept of a cookie they freak out about any website 'tracking' you or 'putting files on your hard drive'. The media from time to time makes small news articles on this stuff, and it sells better when it sounds scary.

[Chef_Brian]

I would try to learn what other people and webmasters are converting on your program. Currently I have a handful of sites that promote a handful of affiliate programs and they all convert *very* differently. Many times it is not what you would expect too see, although after you can think things through it usally makes sense.

A good example would be say posters and framed art, this niche will draw many people that are simply intresting in VIEWING the artwork and posters. These people are there simply to pass the time and NOT to buy. I would guess I am converting around maybe 1% of my visitors to my poster and print site.

At the same time I convert a solid 4% to "products" which are very expensive but do not draw "tire kickers". Also note that this product also offers a much higher commision. So in end you need to take into account how many people you can get to a site and then how many of those visitor you can convert into buyers. Often a site that draws in 200 - 300 visitors daily will outpreform a site that is able to bring in 1000 visitors daily. I know that is my experiance ;-)

Good luck, and stay focus on your goal.

Brian

[Mike_Mackin]

>Many times it is not what you would expect too see

Here is an example of just one niche market I deal in:

Month to date:
adwords
correct spell 1250 16131 7.7% CTR
misspell 530 3219 16.4% CTR

FindWhat
misspell 203 clicks
correct spell 141 clicks

[mfishy]

Yes, you are getting jerked around. All decent affiliate programs have a cookie duration of at least 30 days. It is nearly impossible to make money as an affiliate if the buyer cannot come back to purchase. There is also no way that their customers are complaining about cookies- it's total rubbish