Basics of Affiliate Marketing
The concept of making money online is a concept that is difficult to grasp for some. However, thousands of people have learned ways to make thousands of recurring dollars using the Internet. They have done it through various methods like selling goods through auctions, promoting offline businesses, selling products through e-commerce sites, and a whole range of other possibilities. However, there is one method of making money online that is good for people starting out and for seasoned pros. That method is affiliate marketing. It offers people the ability to make outstanding commissions selling things online without the worry of storing products, shipping products, or making items.
Affiliate marketing has been around for quite some time. One of the earlier adopters of affiliate marketing was Amazon, and they continue to use it today. The concept of affiliate marketing can be explained using Amazon as an example.
First, you will need to sign up for Amazon’s affiliate program. They will ask you questions pertaining to the type of Internet traffic can send them. Be honest about that. If you are new just let them know that. Once you are accepted in the program you can start promoting anything on the website they offer. So, if you are into fishing, you can build a website or email list around fishing. Then you can add links to your website or email promoting products on Amazon’s site. If a visitor clicks on one of the links, goes to Amazon and buys something before the cookie expires then you will get a percentage, or commission, of the sale.
The cookie helps track the visitor to the supplier’s website. It tells them who helped get the visitor there. It also dictates how much time can pass before you are no longer eligible for the commission. In the case of Amazon, the visitor has to buy something within 24 hours before you get the commission. However, the great thing about Amazon is they do not have to buy the item you promoted. It can be anything on Amazon’s website and you still get the commission. If you were promoting shoes, and they buy a barbecue grill, you still get the commission.
Other affiliate programs offer different cookie retention rates. Some even offer their cookie up as indefinite. That means if you send a visitor to their program then you will get credit no matter when they return and buy something from them.
Affiliate marketing is a great method for anyone looking to make money online. If you are someone needing your first online venture then it can be something to look at. Furthermore, if you have launched dozens of successful online ventures, then it may be a good way to supplement what you are already doing. There is just about any product imaginable for you to promote. And, you do not have to worry about needing space to store thousands of products or hiring the manpower to ship it out. It is a great opportunity for just about anyone.
