What to Look for:
As you're browsing through the affiliate programs at Commission Junction, pay attention to the following:
Variety of products and services - Does and industry have a wide variety of products and services represented through CJ? If so, there are most likely even more opportunities outside of CJ. If the only products and services available through CJ are direct competitors, you may be more limited.
Reputable companies - CJ represents a large number of very well-known companies. Are there affiliate programs for companies that you would be willing to promote?
Commission - Each affiliate program will have its own unique commission structure. Some will give you a set percentage of sales, others a flat dollar amount. Pay attention to the percentage as well as how much money that will actually put in your pocket. Both numbers are important.
Cookie length - Most of these programs will use cookies to track your referrals so that if someone clicks through your link and then makes a purchase on that site a few days later, you can still get paid the commission. Some programs will track cookies for 10 days, some for 6 months.
What is required to constitute a sale? - This may be very simple, or it may be more complex. Most of the time a sale is pretty straightforward, but always read the conditions to make sure there are no important exclusions to what you will be paid for.
Are “lead” programs available? - CJ includes a number of programs where you can make money without the visitor even buying anything. For example, you can get paid if someone applies for a credit card, or if they fill out their information to be contacted about a mortgage. These programs can be very lucrative, and sometimes they're easier to promote because of the fact that the visitor doesn't have to buy anything.
Types of ads/creatives available - Each program will provide you with links and different types of ads (such as various sizes of banner ads) If you're thinking of promoting a program this can make a big difference in your success.
Incentives - Some of the programs will pay higher commissions to affiliates that hit certain levels of sales. If you're expecting to make a lot of sales this can be extra motivation.
Stats - CJ provides a little bar for each advertiser that shows how much they've paid out, called their “network earnings.” Those with higher earnings are producing more income for affiliates. They also provide 3 month EPC and 7 day EPC, which shows how much is earned per 100 clicks. In other words, if you send them 100 clicks to this program, on average you will make this amount.
Why This is Helpful?
Recently I have been researching an industry to see if it would be a good opportunity to start a profitable site. One of the best sources of information was the list of affiliates provided through CJ. Most of them I will never use even when I do start the site, but this proved to me that there is a wide variety of products and services, from many different companies. If there are this many affiliate programs in CJ alone, I know there are plenty of money-making opportunities within the niche. It was very quick and productive research.
