I actually have two questions for this post. My first question is: Of JavaScript or HTML affiliate codes, which is more reliable for tracking and keeping your sales? I know if you use HTML codes, if a person does not have cookies enabled you will not get credit for the sale. My second question is: Am I getting screwed by CJ? A few years ago I owned and operated a web hosting reviews website. My conversion through commission Junction was about 1 in 7 clicks converted into a sale. I then sold all my websites and did not own or operate any websites for two years until about six months ago. As of today I took a snapshot of my conversion rate on another newer site, much like the one I owned in the past and my conversions are way lower. They are the same products - Web Hosting Providers The content is rich. I do not know why my conversion rating would be so horrible. Has something changed within the last two and and a half years that has affected the conversion rate or am I getting screwed by CJ and are they getting greedy and keeping the commissions for themselves? Here's the snapshot I took of my account:
I don't think your getting screwed yet, the web hosting division is over saturated, and now you really have to beaware of the advertisers reversing your sales at the last moment, not all do, but you really need to keep your eyes open, lots of threads everywhere about dirty advertisers. I only deal with one web hosting company and I get a sale now and then from them. Off topic seems that Comcast is reversing 100% of sales, anyone here experience that? I don't do comcast, but it is good to get the info out there so people are aware.
jodyq, heard that comcast story. Better stay away actually that entire niche is in danger of 100% reversals.
I wouldn't put anything past comcast, my hubby used to work for them I often think CJ is screwing me over too - I've had lots of advertisers there reverse the sales or I see that I have click throughs on my stats but their stats don't have the same. I tried contacting them, this didn't get very far either... I pretty much gave up on them!
When I was converting about 1 in 7 was between 2004-2006. I think one of the issues is that a lot more people have security settings higher than they were back then and cookies are getting blocked
I doubt that they are screwing you. It does not make business sense. If it were to be proven thier business would cease. they need good affiliaes to keep the advertisers happy and screwing them would defeat that object.
The web hosting division is over-saturated, the reason I am in it, is because I actually know a thing or two about it and have tried out about a dozen providers so far. I go to so many top 10 sites that recommend crappy web hosting providers. Those people are going to be very mad when they find out later, that they received bad advise. So with my knowledge and feel I can recommend them better than most other web hosting review websites. If that doesn't work I have user reviews also. If anybody is interested my site is: Web Hosting Reviews Maybe there is something on the site causing my conversions to be lower than in the past.
Remove all the bidadvertiser and Google Adsense advertisement! Which one is important? The CPC revenue or conversion of your recommend hosting plan?
You're right about that one. I already knew that I should get rid of google ads. ect. Guess, I just needed confirmation. I got rid of them...thanks!
Ya I think you just had a fluke site that was absolutely killing... You pretty much never hear of 1 in 7. As coachtraffic said, 1/100 is the average. So even 5% would be good.