Top Affiliate Programs

If you want to earn a decent income as an affiliate for someone else's product, you need to find the right affiliate program. And one of the key factors you will need to consider when evaluating the 'Net's top affiliate programs is payment.

Naturally you'll want to make a beeline toward the top-paying affiliate programs. But there ARE other things to consider besides the amount of commission paid out per sale, such as when you get paid and how often.

Let's take a look at ALL of the factors that come into play when evaluating payment:

• Generous commission. At first glance, a program that pays out a high percentage for each sale referred might seem good. But you also need to consider the dollar amount you will get paid for each sale. A low commission on a higher-priced product can net you more than a high commission on a lower-priced product.
  
  Another thing to consider is volume. Is the product something that will sell like hotcakes or molasses?
  
  A top-paying affiliate program will feature products you can sell in high volumes while earning a nice percentage of the sale!
  
  
• One-tier versus two-tier programs. With one-tier affiliate programs you get a commission for each product sale you refer. But in a two-tier program, you also promote the company's affiliate program. Anyone who joins because of your referral becomes your "sub-affiliate." You then get a commission for every sale that sub-affiliate makes, too. Sweet!
  
  
• Residual income commissions. Affiliate programs that offer renewable products often offer "residual income" commissions. That means that you receive a commission every time a customer you've referred comes back to purchase more of the same product — rather than just earning a commission on the initial sale. This can really add up over the long haul.
  
  
• Payout schedule. Many affiliate programs will only cut a check once you have earned a set amount of money. And if that amount is very high, you may not get paid for several months! If you're not comfortable with that, look for programs that will pay you monthly regardless of how much you've earned.
  
  
• Time credited for the sale. Not all customers will immediately buy something you've referred. So to make sure that YOU get credited for all sales you refer, look for programs that use "cookie" tracking.
  
  Cookies are just small files with your affiliate ID# that sit on your visitors' computers. When that customer returns to purchase a product, your affiliate ID makes sure you're credited for the sale.
  
  The length of time cookies last for varies from program to program, so look for programs that offer long cookie-tracking periods.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when it comes to getting paid. But by carefully considering each of the above points, you can ensure you find the top-paying affiliate programs that are right for YOU!

For more information about affiliate payments and the top affiliate programs online, check out our archive of free newsletters. You can also check out our own affiliate program, one of the first — and largest — on the 'Net.