I'd like to try running some PPC campaigns with Direct Links to the Merchants to test out the waters but I don't see how this is possible with Commission Junction because the links they provide don't go to the Merchant's site but are redirected through a Proxy so when you try to make an ad in Google Adwords, it gets rejected because the destination and display url do not match. Is there a way around this? Is direct linking impossible with Commission Junction? Is it possible with any other Affiliate Networks? Thanks!
The tracking URL doesn't matter - almost everyone (including most merchants running direct campaigns) run through a tracking link. The Display URL that you write must match the domain of the landing page that you finally end up on - regardless of the tracking link (it's a tracking link btw, not a proxy). Most merchants on CJ don't allow direct linking, anyway - make sure that you read the Keyword Link for each merchant to see their policies.
Thanks for the reply Matt. So do most of the merchants on the other affiliate networks not allow direct linking too? Personally, I'd like to test the waters and test conversion rates for specific merchants and whatnot before putting in all the time to build my own landing pages/sites. Is it almost mandatory nowadays to build your own site, even for testing purposes? Is anyone making good money JUST doing direct linking or is it almost impossible now? Thanks
Clickbank is generally a yes. With Azoogle, it differs from offer to offer. Some offers don't allow search at all, and some others don't allow direct linking.