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A Beginner’s Guide To Affiliate Marketing

 Putting up a shop on the street can only reach out to the people in the vicinity; but putting up a website for your product– now that’s a different story.   Websites can reach the international community of internet users.  The only problem is, with millions of websites out there, how do you keep your online shop afloat?  That’s where affiliate marketing comes in.

Affiliate marketing is a way for merchants to sell products online through the use of publishers.  Publishers get a percentage of the sale for every visitor or customer directed to the merchant’s website.  Online merchants are taking advantage of the marketing power of blogs as it is almost the equivalent of advertising on magazines and newspapers.  

As for publishers, it is a lucrative way of earning money on a website that they actively involve themselves in.  It’s a subtle and smart way of selling products which uses the power of the information technology to which anyone can access.


Most affiliate marketers start out as a blogger or a website owner and all their skills as an online marketer is developed through the process.  It begins by having a website or a blog that present helpful information like product reviews, How-Tos, and tips.  Having good content is an important key to entice blog readers and develop followers.   

Knowledge of using keywords may be useful now but big search engine names keep changing their rules and programs to establish progressive ethical standards on online advertising.  Talking about the products that you’re affiliated with and providing the link to the merchant’s website is probably the best way to get it done.

Signing up as an affiliate marketer is either free or paid for.  A popular online store is Amazon.com which has become the biggest shop in internet retailing history.  The sign up is free and can be being an affiliate can be accomplished in less than twenty minutes.  

Their reward method is either Amazon gift certificate or through check payments.  Affiliate wannabes can also apply directly to an advertiser or the product manufacturer.  In this case, an online program for support will be provided for by the merchant.  Some merchants ensure active promotion of their products by asking joining fees or a small investment from affiliates.


When joining an affiliate marketing organization, researching about the company can be to your great benefit.  Most companies promise hefty income but the actual payouts are not as fruitful factoring to the fact that there are more than 650 million active websites in existence to date.