Think about this. The soft values, such as the company culture, their relationship with the affiliates and the support is probably even more important. Unfortunately there are very few programs that succeed in implementing a culture and a community feeling together with their affiliates which is definetely neccessary for making money in the long run. Instead many affiliate programs end up with an affiliate group where most participants are inactive. In fact, most of the sales that comes from affiliates are the affiliates own purchases, using their affiliate link as a discount opportunity.
Many people treat a free business opportunity with the same importance as the entrance cost.
The need to have a website Still most affiliate programs require that the affiliate has a website and place banner links on it. It is still uncommon that the company provides a replicated version of their own website for the affiliate to use. Lack of communication It s pretty remarkable that many programs are not even communicating with their affiliates on an ongoing basis. It s unusual to find a members area with down to earth step by steps how to market the affiliate companys products and services. It is not a coincidence that information products and how to manuals is the sector where affiliates mostly makes money.