I got an email from Hostgator "Congratulations! You have earned a new commission in the HostGator Affiliate Program." Wen I logged in my affiliate account,there is a statement below Date Sent-------Domain Name----------Referer---status-------Paid 2010-11-23-----XXXXXXXXXX.Com------Link------Inactive-----Pending 1. Status "inactive" Does that mean system is not set up for the customer yet? There is nothing to worry about my commission? 2. Paid "pending" Customers pay up front monthly/annually fee so why is it pending? There is nothing to worry about my commission? 3.Referer "Link" When I clicked it hyperlink,I went to http://www.hostgatorfaq.com/ which is not my site. It is strange. Is this Hostgator's site? Any comments?
"Inactive" status means your customer has yet to confirm his hosting payment. From "Inactive", status can go either to "Active" (customer paid for hosting) or "Cancelled" (customer cancelled his order). "Pending" means customer has to be with HostGator for 60 days before you're credited with commission. For example, if you made one sale in January, you will be paid your $50 commission the last week of March. If you continue to make regular sales each month afterward, then expect to be paid on the last week of every month (after your first commission payment). However, if customer cancels his account during the first 60 days of locking period, you will not be credited with that commission. For example, in the last 2 days I got 4 conversion (4 accounts with "Active" status), but if anyone cancels the account during the first 60 days, I won't get paid for that account. I see you have coupon site, and since HostGator allows affiliate to create their own coupon codes, and since you have custom coupon for HostGator on your site, someone used your coupon code which also brings you the same commission as visiting your affiliate link. That's why sale didn't come from your site, but did come from using your coupon code.
I really appreciated that you kindly took time to explaine in details. I am a publisher of CJ and promote their advertiser Hostgator. Also I am Hostgator inhouse affiliate as well. 1. Inactive Some hours ago I noticed that "Inactive" in Hostgator report now changed to "Active". I understand the customer paid the fee as you mentioned in your post. I am relieved!! 2. Pending Thank your for explaining what "Pending" means. I did not know it is related to Lock in period. I had one CJ's Hosgator commission cancelled a few months ago. The commission in CJ report disappearred exactly 2 months after the transaction was recorded. I confirm that in House program's 60 day lock in period stated in your post is the same as that of CJ. For your reference CJ's iPage,FatCow and MyHosting have all 1 month lock in period. But I do not know their in house affiliate program which I have not participated. So Hostgator has a longer lock in period than those. 3. referal site I forgot that my customized coupon code does not require affiliate link. So I understand now that not my site was listed as referal site in Hostgator report. Also thank you for your extra info that payment is last week of each month. Have a nice day!