Is an Affiliate Program worth for Bicycle merchant?

[lrbs]

We plan to launch our in-house affiliate program for pushing our online bicycle sales further. How viable is this idea?

[dmerton]

Irbs, I worked in the bicycle industry for while. Can you tell me more about your store, product lines? any details? send me a sticky if you'd rather do that.

[lrbs]

Hi dmerton,

we are currently promoting our products thru overture/google and couple of other shopping sites. we realised that affiliate marketing could be one of the sources of further pushing our products in the online space. And that i where we are looking out for an oppurtunity.

at the moment i would not like to reveal the brand and other info for obvious reasons.

regards

lrbs

[bghtn]

I know of several people that have purchased mountain bikes online...they went to a local bike shop, tried the bike on for size and then ordered online to save money. I am in the biking community and I know there is debates about supporting local bike shops but I see more and more people purchasing online. Myself I purchased my frame at the local bike shop and then purchased all components online.
I read many bike related sites and the adverts are plenty which tells me there must be some market there..my guess is that if you sell components they may be a better seller but I think you will be able to move bikes.
Of course you need to treat your affiliates right..good commission, good terms...give them a reason to work hard and promote your product.
HTH
Bill

[lrbs]

Hi bghtn,

thanks for your advice. we intend to sell/promote complete bikes. in fact have been doing very well on overture/google/ebay. as a plan , we intend to pay affiliates on weekely basis (% of the sale). i think that is something which no other affiliate program has yet offerred. and it should be a good reason for an affiliate to join the program.
the hasle we face is, affiliate recruitment. we inted to push the program first thru our own customers and then take it ahead. but how do we get better/professional affiliates to join program and make it success.

lrbs