It is up to you to decide whether to pay per click or per sale and how much to pay. You want to pay enough to make it worth their while, but not so much that you are not getting the profits you want. The more different kinds of links you offer the more sites will join your program. Offering search boxes and virtual storefronts are very common and many affiliates will use these to enhance their own sites. If you don't know how to start setting up an affiliate program, don't despair.
Awards Getting an award is free and has two benefits.
First, you get to display a graphic award on your site to impress your visitors. Second, you may get a link from the awarding site. Contrary to what you might think, awards are not usually awarded because the presenter is out scouting the web for the best sites they can find. Awards are given to those sites that have been specifically submitted to the awarding site. If you are very lucky you may have a visitor submit your site, but don't wait for that to happen.