Working directly with Merchants

Affliate Marketing

[Kerrace Alexander]

I have been hereing some pretty bad info about some the third party vendors out there call me a control freak. But I'm leary about using cj and befree, linkshare.

Is there anyone out there who works directly with the merchants, I've heard it can be difficult to get paid and they may not have the systems. But are these good enough reasons to stay away. Maybe.

I would really like to establish some really good relationship with a few manufacturers, then a tone of them.

Or maybe I can use a combination of third party and gradually develop ones on my own.

any suggestions would be great.

cheers from Vancouver, Canada.

[Drastic]

You can find bad apples in the merchant networks (CJ, BF, LS), as well as independent sites that have their own program. From no support, to no conversions, to not paying (CJ excluded from non-paying, for the most part.)

The best thing to do, IMO, is find programs that fit your site theme, and email a few webmasters already promoting them, asking of their experience. (find them using your favorite SE) Webmasters are usually more than happy to oblige, and you can't get more concrete info.

Between using third party or independent programs, it really just depends on what is available (for your topic), and if you can earn enough to meet min. payouts.

[Kerrace Alexander]

Thanks for the info and I appreciate you taking the time out to respond

bye for now.

Kerrace

[DaveAtIFG]

Although not as comprehensive as I'd like, ClickQuick [clickquick.com] is a reliable source for evaluations of leading affiliate programs.

[legster]

Amazon.com has a very good program. They handle their own affiliate program.

I use Linkshare, Befree, and CJ. I have had more problems with Linkshare than I have time to discuss.

CJ is good because they handle the payments. Befree recently had a nice site upgrade, and honestly I can't say I ever had a problem with them.