Affiliate Network Profiles
Here is some concise information on the major Affiliate Networks.
Commission Junction
CJ is in the top two for networks. I like the breadth of programs, but I am not at all impressed with their customer service. I am also disappointed that they don’t flag the programs that give you instant approval.
Program Types: Pay-Per-Lead, Pay-Per-Sale and a few Pay-Per-Click
Focus: Mostly B2C. Lots of financial, home and garden. Some B2B offerings.
Number of Programs: Several Thousand
Network-wide EPC: .26
User Dashboard: Okay, but a little kludgy
Pros: Many different programs, some are instant approval (though they don’t say)
Cons: Terrible customer service.
Top Programs at Commission Junction
| Description |
EPC |
Payment |
Business Type |
Cookie Life |
|
|
|
|||
| Structured Settlement Alliance |
$ 4.42 |
Lead: $40.00 US |
Investment |
45 days |
| Merrick Mattress |
$ 2.88 |
Sale: 10.00% US |
Furniture |
45 days |
| GetSmart |
$ 2.64 |
Sale: $10.00 - $45.00 |
Loans |
14 days |
| StartLogic |
$ 2.61 |
Sale: $100.00 US |
Web Hosting/Servers |
120 days |
| LendingTree |
$ 2.51 |
Lead: $0.00 - $55.00 |
Loans |
120 days |
| LowerMyBills.com |
$ 2.45 |
Lead: $8.00 - $32.00 |
Loans |
45 days |
| TheLoanPage.com |
$ 2.32 |
Lead: $25.00 US |
Loans |
120 days |
| Sandals & Beaches Resorts |
$ 2.28 |
Sale: 4.00% US |
Hotel |
90 days |
| CitiFinancial |
$ 2.26 |
Sale: 100.00% US |
Loans |
30 days |
| Esurance Auto Insurance |
$ 2.07 |
Lead: $5.00 US |
Personal Insurance |
30 days |
Top Categories at Commission Junction
| Category |
Average EPC |
|
|
|
| Investment |
$ 1.02 |
| Loans |
$ 0.74 |
| Financial Services |
$ 0.72 |
| Personal Insurance |
$ 0.69 |
| Insurance |
$ 0.69 |
ShareaSale
ShareaSale is a smaller network that is very responsive to its affiliates. They are also in the affiliate program management business, which gives them some insights into the way things should be done. I like their dashboard because it uses icons to show you features like datafeeds, two tier programs and cookie life.
Program Types: Pay-Per-Lead, Pay-Per-Sale and a few Pay-Per-Click (must be an affiliate for a while to get PPC)
Focus: Leans B2C, but has a lot of B2B as well.
Number of Programs: A few thousand
Network-wide EPC: .14
User Dashboard: I like it a lot. Shows datafeeds and instant approvals.
Pros: Great dashboard, responsive to affiliates, datafeeds
Cons: Smaller than the big guys.
Top Programs at ShareaSale
| Description |
EPC |
Payment |
Business Type |
Cookie Life |
|
|
|
|||
| Liftchairs 4 Less |
$ 7.54 |
Sale 15.00 % |
Home & Garden |
60 days |
| Goldia.com L.L.C. |
$ 3.62 |
Sale 12.50 % |
Accessories |
30 days |
| Lucy Ann |
$ 3.35 |
Sale 25.00 % |
Accessories |
30 days |
| DiamondStudsOnly.com |
$ 3.33 |
Sale 5.00 % |
Accessories |
120 days |
| Drive Safely Inc |
$ 2.80 |
Sale 25.00 % |
Education |
30 days |
| Xaxe.com |
$ 2.68 |
Sale 12.00 % |
Accessories |
60 days |
| Teamtrade Inc. |
$ 2.22 |
Sale $ 20.00 |
Health |
90 days |
| Ticketdon, LLC |
$ 2.13 |
Sale 6.00 % |
Recreation |
30 days |
| International Number eXchange |
$ 2.00 |
Sale $ 20.00 |
Business |
30 days |
| EZPaydayCash.com |
$ 1.97 |
Sale 0.00 |
Financial |
90 days |
Top Categories at ShareaSale
| Category |
Average EPC |
|
|
|
| Health |
$ 0.56 |
| Moving/Moving Supplies |
$ 0.46 |
| Home & Garden |
$ 0.44 |
| Accessories |
$ 0.42 |
| Computers/Electronics |
$ 0.34 |
ClickBank
ClickBank is an intermediary marketplace for information-based products. There are many good products, and many not-so-good. Be sure you know enough about the product before you recommend it. Read ClickBank Hucksters for more information.
Program Types: Pay-Per-Sale
Focus: Has plenty of products across a broad B2B and B2C spectrum
Number of Programs: Thousands
Network-wide EPC: Not revealed.
User Dashboard: A joke.
Pros: Great profit for the right products, breadth of information-based products is terrific.
Cons: Terrible reporting, no EPC numbers, a lousy but improving search facility.
LinkShare
LinkShare claims to be the oldest affiliate network, though I seem to remember BeFree (now part of CJ) before LinkShare. If you’re looking for B2C offers from mainstream companies, LinkShare is your network. I find them to be rigid in their procedures (changing passwords every few weeks with specific password requirements, those stupid bot-busting graphics before submitting forms, etc), and find the whole thing annoying. We’re not guarding nuclear missles here — we’re selling stuff.
Program Types: Mostly Pay-Per-Sale
Focus: Almost exclusively B2C from major companies. (They also have a limited B2B network)
Number of Programs: Thousands
Network-wide EPC: Haven’t spidered it yet.
User Dashboard: Not bad, but it can be confusing.
Pros: Great for B2C mainstream programs.
Cons: Mainstream programs means everyone has them, user interface is like Fort Knox.
