Affiliate Programs Guide - Finally A Good Program

In a previous post I mentioned an affiliate program that didn’t treat affiliates very well. At least I didn’t feel that I, as an affiliate, was given proper consideration. However, the affiliate program, which I didn’t mention by name, is one of my best performing merchants. I still don’t think it’s right to put up with poor treatment even if a merchant’s affiliate program pays you well, but I won’t reject them either and I still haven’t given up trying to get some basic concessions along with some basic courtesy from this particular merchant.

So have I encountered any affiliate programs that I feel do right by affiliates? Surprisingly yes.

I’ve been an affiliate for BuyCostumes.com at Commission Junction just about a year now. I started promoting them last Halloween for a particular niche I’m in and they converted fairly well for me. Unfortunately, my Adwords costs cannibalized most all of my profits, but I learned some valuable lessons about running a PPC campaign from it.

Here’s what I like about the BuyCostumes.com affiliate program:

• 10% Commission on all sales
• Large selection of text links and banners
• Good selection of product links so I can create product pages quickly
• HTML affiliate newsletter
• Proactive Affiliate Manager

The affiliate newsletter comes out more frequently during peak costume season, especially during Halloween. There are suggestions for new links and banners to use along with coupons codes. I really appreciate the reminders for shipping dates and delivery times and when to cutoff campaigns. I don’t want to be running PPC ads beyond the last possible date to receive a Halloween costume and since I’m promoting a special line of adult Halloween costumes, the costumes are probably worn at parties prior to October 31st.

What I found especially nice about the BuyCostume.com affiliate program, is their “no reversal” policy. Yep, if someone should return a costume for a refund, the affiliate does not have his/her commission reversed. With my average commission of about $8, this removes some of the risk.

I realize it takes a bit more effort for the affiliate team to keep in touch with affiliates, but it’s something that I appreciate all the more having seen the other extreme.