My website has an affiliate program and they have banners and links back to my affiliate program. The links do not point to my site but to the program that runs my affiliate program. What incentive do you think would be appropriate to have them place a do follow link directly to my website? Do you all do this or is this another thing that google will frown on. Although I am sure not all of them would comply, would it be a problem is many did at one time?
ask your affiliates. they are the one who will provide you the link so let them tell you what would be appropiate compensation
It's a good question. I'm not sure I fully understand because I have an in-house program, but I know that you will have to be able to track the sale which is what the other program is doing I think. If you can still do that by sending them directly to your site then it would definitely benefit you by getting a one-way link. If they are from the same ip address then no. I don't think the timing matters either, unless there is a really high number. As to what would be fair to give your affiliates as incentive, maybe a plan that compensates for a certain number of sales or the first sale. Or a link back if they are relevant. Nothing too complicated though.
Don't give them anything; spend the money on your own affiliate program instead. Then they'll have to link to you.