Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing has become a very popular method of web site promotion in the past few years. In this particular marketing scheme, internet traffic is directed to a merchant web site through promotional links on any one of a number of affiliate sites. The affiliate receives either a percentage of the revenue they help to generate or a set amount per visitor they send the merchant's way. This relationship can result in increased revenue for both parties.

Join the IGE affiliate program and start making extra money in your spare time.

Become an Affiliate
An affiliate can earn anywhere from under $100 a month to millions every year, with income dependent upon the effort invested by the affiliate and the nature of the particular affiliate marketing program. If an affiliate simply places a link on his or her site and does nothing else, then revenue will probably be minimal. If, on the other hand, an affiliate invests some time and energy into increasing traffic to the site, then the revenue potential is greatly increased. Furthermore, if the affiliate program is a unique one and has a minimal number of competitors, then there is greater revenue potential.

Start an Affiliate Program
Creating an affiliate marketing program is a relatively inexpensive method of advertising for a merchant. Affiliates place the merchant's link on their own site for free and no payment is due to the affiliate until a transaction has been made - either a completed sale or visit to the merchant's site. The downside to starting an affiliate program is that the merchant must spend time and resources administering the program.

Affiliate Brokers
There are thousands of affiliate marketing programs available and this can make for a confusing and intimidating situation for both the merchant and potential affiliate. In this situation, either the merchant or potential affiliate may find it useful to enlist the services of an affiliate network, or broker. An affiliate broker acts as an arbiter between the merchant and affiliate. They maintain lists of affiliate programs to choose from, keep track of site traffic (and other relevant data) between the two parties, and manage all payments.