Essentially real-time reporting of impressions, clicks, leads, and sales allow the site owner to quickly see what works and what doesn't. Affiliate Networks Affiliate networks provide various functions for merchants desiring to run such a program including impression, click, and sales counting and providing on-line reporting to web site owners. Some provide capability for web sites to sign up with multiple merchants and provide unified reports. There is not much overlap in merchants between the major networks listed below. Many larger merchants run their own affiliate operation - some using BeFree reporting.net for reporting.
Reports allow comparison of multiple merchant performance.
Generally pays quarterly. Minimum on each merchant.