Higher Commission Is Not Always Better

I have seen it a million times, especially from newer affiliates. They find two similar affiliate programs and immediately assume that the one that pays the highest commission is automatically the better affiliate program... not true! As an affiliate you need to look beyond the commission and evaluate the entire program. Yes, high commission are always nice to have but there are some things to look for that can make a high commission affiliate program practically worthless and a waste of your valuable time.

The first thing that you should look at is see how much the merchants are charging for their products. Merchants that pay a high commission is usually passing it off in the product prices. By boosting their prices up they make up for paying their affiliates high commissions by trying to get the customers to pay the bill. If the price is to high the customer will leave the merchants site and search for another merchant with lower prices. So you can promote the higher commission merchant to your hearts content. But if the prices are just to high for the customers you are simply wasting your time and effort on a dead cause.

Now, if you go with the merchant that pays a slightly less commission but has much lower prices then the customer is going to buy from them instead of the other merchant, therefore, giving you more conversions which will make you alot more money in the long run.

Chet Brzezinski has been in the affiliate marketing and affiliate management industry since 1997. He owns two affiliate marketing related sites. One that offers affiliate program management & consulting services and the other affiliate program reviews, tips and resources.

Latest News


Purdue Research Park Affiliate Company Launches Educational ...
MarketWatch - 15 hours ago
The new program is available from Computer-Aided Learning LLC, which is an affiliate company of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana. ...

PubEasy Adds Southern Book Service as New Affiliate Partner
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
As the newest PubEasy affiliate, the company will now be able to offer their customers the ability to check price and availability on various book titles, ...

Court blocks Sprint Nextel affiliate iPCS’s motion to delay WiMAX deal
Bizjournals.com, NC - Nov 18, 2008
s $14.5 billion WiMAX deal can continue — for now — without trouble from affiliate iPCS Inc. An Illinois circuit court said Monday that iPCS must withdraw ...
OMS: We are not a telco, says Xohm TelephonyOnline
Sprint affiliate backs down on WiMax suit The Associated Press
Telcos see potential in WiMax Business Standard
Economic Times - TelecomTiger
all 63 news articles

Out of the Starting Gate : tyBit's First Payout to Affiliate Partners
Emailwire - 22 hours ago
Lastly, tyBit delivers fast, relevant search results to its users and pays its affiliate partners the most robust revenue share in the industry. ...
tyBit Issues First Payout to Affiliates Web Host Industry Review
all 3 news articles

CJRW and Burson-Marsteller Sign Affiliate Agreement
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
CJRW is currently Burson-Marsteller's only US-based affiliate. Through this relationship, CJRW clients will have access to Burson-Marsteller's global ...

Host Department Launches a New Affiliate Program
MyHostNews.com (press release), OK - 10 hours ago
With the new affiliate, affiliates will receive 25% commission of the total valid sale price after 45 days of the valid sale date. ...

The Whitlock Group Achieves IOCOM Preferred Affiliate Status
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
With this Preferred Affiliate status, The Whitlock Group has enhanced flexibility in using IOCOM's products to deliver sophisticated videoconferencing ...

Amazing New Rates for Anastasia International's Affiliate Program
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
BANGOR, Maine, November 18, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- - Anastasia International has Announced Incredible New Terms for its Affiliate Program. ...

Convio and Charity Dynamics Help Austin Affiliate of Susan G ...
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Austin Affiliate ( www.komenaustin.org) implemented Boundless Fundraising(TM) from Charity Dynamics as part of an integrated ...

GM of Texas Stars named
Bizjournals.com, NC - 11 hours ago
The club is the minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars. “The Dallas Stars have a solid history with Scott White and ...
Ka'aihue Receives Topps Double-A Honor OurSports Central (press release)
all 7 news articles

Resources