Over the years, we’ve seen countless affiliate programs set up in ways that fall short, missing easy wins and leaving affiliates without the tools they need to succeed. From zero-payout commissions to a lack of promotional materials, these issues can quickly diminish a program’s potential. Drawing on our experiences at Ecomko, where we’ve honed a successful approach to affiliate management, here’s how we structure affiliate programs to drive results.
Common Mistakes We See in Affiliate Program Setups
We come across numerous affiliate programs with similar pitfalls. Avoiding these early on can make a huge difference in an affiliate program’s performance:
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Zero-Payout Commissions
Believe it or not, we frequently see programs where commissions are set to $0 by accident. Affiliates are motivated by clear compensation, so it’s critical to double-check that your payout structure is correctly set and communicated from the start.
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Incomplete Program Information
Many programs leave out essentials like their website URL or fail to specify that they have an experienced agency managing the program. Not listing such basic information can signal inexperience or lack of attention to detail. We make it a point to ensure that each program’s description is thorough and includes agency contact details, making it clear to affiliates who’s managing things on the back end.
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Limited Media Assets
A common issue we notice is the lack of promotional materials. Many programs offer only one to three banners, all linked to the homepage, which is a huge missed opportunity. Affiliates need a variety of media options, including:
- Banners for Each Product Category: Instead of a few generic banners, affiliates benefit from banners representing each product category, allowing them to target different segments more effectively.
- Geographic and Demographic-Specific Banners: To increase relevance, we like to create banners tailored to specific audiences or geographic areas. This level of customization makes affiliates’ campaigns more impactful and ensures they resonate better with diverse audiences.
- Abundant Text Links: We make sure there’s a full set of at least 50 text links across various categories and product pages so that affiliates can market the brand in diverse ways.
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Videos for Affiliates: Video is essential in today’s digital landscape. By providing high-quality video assets, affiliates can create more engaging content that’s well-suited for social media and other visual platforms.
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Lack of PPC and Direct Linking Guidelines
For programs that allow affiliates to use paid search advertising, it’s critical to set boundaries around keywords and geo-targets. Clear PPC guidelines prevent competition between affiliates or with in-house campaigns, ensuring everyone is aligned and able to succeed without stepping on each other’s toes.
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Neglecting Localized Media for Global Reach
For global brands, providing media in various languages or tailored to different regions is crucial. Many programs miss this step, putting affiliates at a disadvantage. For example, if a brand is targeting markets in Germany, France, and Japan, we ensure we have localized media available for each of these countries. This level of customization increases conversions and helps affiliates reach their audience more effectively.
How We Increase Affiliate Program Sales
At ecomko, we recognize that media is a cornerstone of affiliate success. Here’s how we prioritize dynamic, diverse media to ensure our affiliates have what they need:
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Creating Dynamic, High-Converting Media
We believe that affiliates should be equipped with highly engaging, converting media assets. Whether it’s banners, text links, or videos, we go above and beyond to develop materials that stand out and meet the needs of each affiliate. -
Offering Custom Media on Request
Our design team is always ready to create custom media for our super partners on request. For instance, one affiliate requested specific banner sizes to fit their website layout. We quickly designed a set of customized banners for them, resulting in better placement and more clicks. This extra step shows our commitment to our affiliates and makes our program stand out from others. -
Negotiating Top Placements with Custom Promotions
To ensure our affiliates have a competitive edge, we offer custom promotions and media packages to secure top placements. Recently, when we negotiated a premium position for a top partner, we created a special promotional campaign with unique coupon codes and targeted banners that spoke directly to their audience. It’s this level of customization that strengthens our relationships and helps our affiliates succeed.
Why Media Variety Matters for Affiliate Success
We’ve found that when affiliates have a variety of tools, they’re far better equipped to promote the brand across multiple platforms and drive sales. Programs that offer only limited media—like a couple of banners and one or two text links—put affiliates at a disadvantage and limit their potential. The more media you provide, the more affiliates can experiment and find what resonates with their audiences.
In our experience, affiliates appreciate that they can count on Ecomko to provide high-quality, varied media assets. This trust translates into more active, engaged affiliates who genuinely enjoy working with our program.
Essential Q4 Affiliate Marketing Campaigns:
- Halloween Campaign
- Singles' Day (11/11)
- Thanksgiving Campaign
- Hanukkah Campaign
- Black Friday
- Small Business Saturday
- Cyber Monday
- Holiday Season Gifting
- Green Monday
- Christmas Campaign
- Boxing Day
- New Year's Campaign
Wrapping Up
Setting up an affiliate program requires more than just a basic structure—it demands attention to detail, dynamic media, and an approach tailored to affiliate success. Affiliates choose ecomko because they know they’ll receive dedicated support, top-notch media, and unique, actionable insights to drive conversions. With these principles in mind, any affiliate program can thrive and become a valuable revenue stream.
Looking to set up an affiliate program that drives real results? Reach out to us at ecomko—our team is here to help build a successful program and give your affiliates the tools they need to succeed.