I think the one thing about Affiliate Marketing that frustrates me the most is when merchants or networks constantly make drastic changes to their offers or linking structures.
When you get a good campaign going, and then the network drops that merchant. Or when you build an entire website around a particular merchant, and then they close their affiliate program. Changing their entire linking structure can be frustrating for the affiliates too - especially if it requires a major manual update to the site.
It's all part of the business of course, and I'm not complaining (really). As much money as those links earn, I shouldnt be. But there's nothing like finding out you have tons of links floating around on the web that either arent tracking or arent working at all.
I actually enjoy updating my affiliate sites. Specifically when its blogging, adding new products, adding new content pages, getting links pointing in, putting articles out there, mingling on forums, etc. They are each fun little projects, and its something I enjoy doing.
The nice thing about them, of course, is that they usually continue working for you even when you arent working on them... once they become established that is. You can take your spells working on what interests you most, work back and forth between various sites, no real pressure on deadlines, etc.
And I am generally careful about working with flaky networks or programs that tend to keep things in a constant state of change. I prefer instead to find good solid campaigns that I can set up and let run on auto-pilot after the testing phase. Of course, there are some good one-time-shots out there if you keep your eyes peeled, but its just a personal preference for me - I dont like to chain myself to the computer like that.
I'm rambling really (if you havent noticed 😆 )... when I should be off updating one of my affiliate sites. Because yes, the merchant completely changed the linking structure so I have thousands of links out there that arent tracking *sigh*. I considered outsourcing the updates, but then decided I'd like to dig in and work on some other updates to the site as well. Ah well...
I better get to work 😉
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About Lynn Terry
Hi Lynn,
This is a great point you've made.
Would you care to share the flaky networks, so we know to avoid them??
That might have been a poor choice of wording. Some of the networks I might name are *great* networks for "hot" pay-per-lead promotions. Especially timely or seasonal 'hot market' promos. I just prefer to build affiliate sites that will run a little more automated.
Of course, there are some out there on the larger networks (like CJ, etc) that make constant changes that keep Affiliates jumping through hoops to make sure their links are tracking... but it would be impossible to name them all I am sure. Each niche is sure to have its lot, I imagine.
Hi Lynn,
My affilliate map site with rand mcnally is going to CJ so I'm going to have to redo the site.
You know the frustration I'm talking about then... One of my merchants moved *from* CJ to another network.
No fun, is it? 😛