Forum Moderators: skibum
i've seen many sites that have those 'download free smilies' for your email etc.
I'm assuming its an affiliate program, but couldn't see anything on the site about it.
anyone care to enghliten me?
Those banners decrease the image of a good site, IMO.
Most of those install malicious software like adware, spyware, ...
Most visitors don't like it.
I won't use these ads personally too, just wondering what's the rea$on (how much :-) so many affs use them.
Why would anyone give those away for free in the first place?...
You could be getting paid by one parasite and ripped off by another one. I wish affiliate marketers would stop helping these unethical thieves.
If you're not familiar with the threat to your business, search for parasiteware and learn how they steal.
Your merchants don't offer what the visitors want to buy.
Your visitors are not in a buying mood, ie, they are surfing, but not shopping.
Your visitors are the wrong demographic, ie, people who don't have or use credit cards.
If you have a general audience, I would think you could get some conversions from general product lines like Overstock, Amazon, or maybe J.C Penny.
I don't have any general sites for just the reason that it is difficult for me to figure out how to sell to a general audience. But even if I had one I would not be too anxious to help out a thief that may be ripping off my commissions on my other sites. Even if he pays me 50 cents for the privilege.
AdSense can be a much better deal than 50 cents for a smilie or screen saver.
The scumware that is downloaded via these banners is unethical and illegal. It steals commission from hard-working affiliates. With all due respect, if the only way you can generate money from your site is by promoting dubious software then you need to take a serious look at your business model. I know it's not easy to find affiliate programs that convert in many sectors, but all the people promoting this scumware ought to consider the ethics of the situation.
