Wow it seems like Every day a new affiliate network is poping up if not every hour. Are you tired of being hitup by tons of poor networks or networks just rehashing the same offers and paying out less? I sure am tired of it. While i think there are some great networks out there... there sure are more and more CRAPPY ones poping up that really ad no value... this post is a call out there to people thinking about starting up a network to just rehash... don't do it unless you will offer something unique!!!
I'll have to agree seeing a lot of networks pop up is the latest trend. I think no matter what, networks will always broker with each other. That's the way things work, even Hydra brokers offers through small networks at times. Every network will have it's exclusive and the offers it just grabs from another network (at a network rate - which will still be higher than a pub rate more than likely). I certainly don't consider myself apart of the trend. Programming for our affiliate network begin about 1.5 years ago and we beta launched with a few hundred publishers I know from our other successful marketing businesses in February 2009. Our official launch was just last week though. The only reason I had decided to open an affiliate network though was simply because I could offer something other networks don't have. We're actually unique with a custom-coded platform and specializations of our own that greatly set us apart. So, in defense of networks similar to ours (there are some) that actually bring something to the table - seeing network like ours pop up certainly can't hurt, it can only help. Not only that, but dedicated networks will provide support 10x better than any large network along with quicker payments for lower volume.
I am all for networks that bring something to the table or something new or bring in new offers. I am tired of the networks that just rehash If you are new network and bringing new fresh offers to the table and good service More power to you and i want to know about your network. Just fed up with the networks rehashing offers and claiming exclusivity.
just a thought that might be helpful in finding a network that is worth joining in - pick up a phone and give them a call. if you get no answer after a few tries may be you should not work with the guys. at least this is my approach. the reason i came up with such solution is that i am looking for an affiliate network for my client to join as a merchant. I have gone through like 15 of them, so are really big, and guess what??!! %80 of these guys dont pick up the phone even to talk to a merchant!!! this looks ridiculous to me and in no way it's a right way to run a company.
The main issue is DirectTrack. There are hundreds of DT affiliate networks. The platform/script is far from being the number one thing that makes a good network, but when you have hundreds of networks using the same script and buying off-the-shelf templates for their design, then it certainly doesn't help them to seem relevant. And I believe most of these networks pop up, have issues, and disappear, because the owners have unrealistic expectations and don't put in the effort to make things happen. Then because they don't market and attract a good userbase, they accept every person that applies, they have traffic quality problems, and the resulting in payment problems, etc. So in short: if you're going to start a network, have a plan and work at least as hard as the publishers you want to attract. Don't half-ass it As Fehz pointed out, even the largest of networks rebroker offers from other networks. You just might not notice unless you're signed up with a lot of smaller networks and are familiar with them
I don't really understand what incentive you'd have to go with a 'small' start up publisher at all..?
yes you are right that many networks are popping up by each day and specially each week/month so we always prefers the trusted networks only like Ebay, Amazon, CJ, CB, Shareasale and other similar networks who have their proven track records!!!
agreed thats a saturated biz check out what twitter has done to www its a unique and new website but grabbed many users ,etc
I try to use networks that have hundreds or thousands of offers. These smaller networks with <50 offers will eventually close as advertiser dollars move toward reliable networks with better tracking capabilities.
Isn't this just like asking, "Do we really need all these car dealerships?" or "Do we really need all these grocery shops?" how about morning cereals let's all just stick with 1 of each. The biggest winner of lots of competition is the client, you get a big selection of campaigns, and a possibility to do a "run" between networks getting each network to beat the others payout. Even the so called "crappy ones" can one day turn into big networks..