David writes the GOOru!:
Hi,
We’re about to pick the solution to use to run our affiliate program. We’re looking at both ShareASale and My Affiliate Program. Do you have a preference or is one better than the other. Do affiliate prefer one over the other?
Any advice would be appreciated.
David
Website: CookieHQ.com
David, I have used ShareASale but not Kowabunga (MYAffiliateProgram), though I have heard really good things about it. They use a Shawn Collins testimonial as an example and he is a well known and trusted Internet affiliate guy. I think Shawn focuses on the technical capabilities of Kowabunga as being like BeFree.
But let me head you in a little different direction.
I really liked your site when I pulled it up. The “giant fortune cookies” were really fun. And, I don’t mind adding a shameless plug for good questions, so here it is:
I would suggest your main concern shouldn’t be the affiliate technology you are going to use. Both ShareASale and Kowabunga will easily solve your needs for tracking affiliate sign ups and sales.
But, affiliates will not just rush into your site just because you have the newest greatest cookie experience. I can imagine that there are over 100 competitors in the gourmet food and gift area that already sell a cookie type product and already have affiliate programs. So what will make you different?
My suggestion is to choose a program that is reasonably priced as I believe both of these are. Then do not rely on them to do affiliate recruiting. If you do so, your affiliate program will fail.
Then go back to Internet 101: Get found on the Internet by adding good content to the site. Write and post articles about the cookie experience, create a blog, do some cookie making contests adding the best cookie recipe to your line-up, and do press releases any time something happens.
All of this will improve your site’s SEO rank will begin to drive sales and will begin to attract affiliates. Affiliates want to be able to find you in search just like customers do. So stick to the basics, build over time and keep me updated on your success.
I do have a blog about what I am doing in this area. Go to: http://www.affgoo.com/general/8/. Maybe that will clarify what I am running into with my clients just breaking into the affiliate industry.
And thanks for asking the GOOru!
Stick[at]AffGoo.com
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