It just occured to me, as I watched yet another day of traffic coming to my first affiliate site, only to not click or buy... Do most of the CJ companies actually need affiliates? IMHO, a quick thought probably answers no - they are so well known that there is no reason for people to come to the affiliate site, or, in the dark recesses of paranoia, do they see what an affiliate site represents, and then just browse off to the company directly? I am sure there are loads of examples here of people making a good living with affiliates. I hope to be one of them. But it occurs to me that affiliate sites for which there are ready avenues elsewhere - were they can readily get the product or service any number of places, not the least of which is the advertising company itself, with a ready, huge internet presence - well, I wonder if many make much affiliate money this way. So, it seems that for this type of advertising company, any affiliate sale is nice icing on the cake; but is it a living for its affiliates? On the other hand, I do see potential for money on sites for which there is no ready alternative avenue to obtain the service or product; such is the case for my second site. What do others think?
My wife asked a very similar question and I told her this: Let's say you want to buy a gift for [person x]. What do you think of first, where you want to buy it, or what you want to buy? If people are searching for red widgets, that gives you an advantage you wouldn't have if they were searching for "affiliate vendor ABC", which often they are not. So there is room for affiliates. For the biggest companies, affiliates may only provide "the icing on the cake" for revenues, but they got big by not leaving money on the table, if you see what I mean.
I think people searching for red widgets may be predisposed to go to the first several places that rank for red widgets - especially if it's the maker of them. Now, for some of these products, I am on the same page, just behind these makers or major retail outlets - very established companies, with a well known web presence. Since I have not made one sale, I am wondering if people just go to these companies directly, as they are known to carry these branded products. I agree. I think that from the companies' perspective, it is a win-win. Additional sales with no added out-of-pocket marketing budget, just a slice of the sale. And it can be a win-win for the affiliate, in the right market. I just wonder if working with companies with such well known products, and such established web presence, effectively negates the value of an affiliate, in a potential buyer's mind. I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks. Paul
You seem to be indicating that your product is available for purchase through the manufacturer. I can see where that would be harder than if your competition was Target.com or BestBuy.com
Mistertut, yep, that's it exactly. My advertisers are Bass Pro, Backcountry, REI...you name it - all of which provide products directly from their site.
Yes, I am - but that is what I think may be a problem (well, one of them. They are legion, stemming from noob status). My site represents stuff from these established, respected retailers with a known internet history - and their products can easily be gotten directly. Why would someone want to get them indirectly?
Because they wanted to go to a site specializing in deer hunting to find a recomendation of a specific deer-killing widget, rather than going to a retailer's site and not getting any in-depth info?
Hahahaha. Fair enough, nicely put and spot on. OK, I'll keep plugging away. What's tripping me out is that my visits are all advice visits, for skis. I wonder if either my advice is too crappy, and they're blowing off in disgust, or, it answers what they're looking for - and they weren't looking to buy. "Choices in randonee bindings; how to do the snowplow; K2 T Nine gear recommendations...." etc. But you brought it back home - providing a service. If they want the service, eventually, one hopes, they'll be coming to buy on those recommendations. Thanks. Paul