Top Affiliate Programs 2016

Cookie length
If you send an buyer to a merchant, they set a cookie on the buyer's web browser. If the buyer comes back to the merchant site, before the cookie expires and buys something you still get the commission.

Cookie lock-in period
This is the period in which your cookie cannot be over-written with a cookie from another affiliate marketer. The problem is buyers may further research a product or service you recommended. In doing so your cookie may get over-written and you would loose the commission. The lock-in period stops this from happening.

Spy on your competitors
The first place to look for affiliate programs is to checkout who your competitors use. Go to their website and look at what they are selling. Also run some niche relevant searches through Google and look at the ads they throw up. It likely costs the advertisers $50-$100 dollars for a 100 clicks. They make at least x2 that in affiliate commission.

Split testing
This is when you put one advertisement in front of 2000 potential buyers, then you do the same with another affiliate offer. You then stick with the one that makes you the most money. Some offers may work with one site and not another, split testing is the only real way to know.

The big affiliates are big for a reason. They might not deliver the best return, but there is definitely some value there, for affiliates.

Amazon

Amazon has a 24 hour cookie, they pay between 4-8.5% commission on normal goods and 4% on electronics. They mostly only convert regional traffic. Some products like the Kindle and ebooks converts traffic globally.

So, if you look at the stats that's terrible. A 24 hour cookie is practically criminal.

The thing is: Amazon converts very well, you don't have to sell nearly as hard as with other products. On Amazon shoppers frequently buy more than one product, at a time. Also Amazon's list of products is so large that it work for any niche.

In my opinion Amazon is a good Affiliate program for beginners.

VigLink

VigLink is a fairly new affiliate network, that is making a big splash in the online marketing world. The problem with most affiliate networks is that you have to apply for many of their programs separately. With VigLink you only have to register once. You then install some JavaScript on your site or blog. From then on VigLink automatically loads your affiliate code into any link, to a seller they support. So you don't have to edit your affiliate code into any links. Since I have started using them I have been amazed by how many sellers they support and how easy it is to use. Checking out VigLink, it is definitely worth it.

Forums are notoriously difficult to monetize. VigLink is very popular with forum owners, because Viglinks changes hyperlinks to sellers, that users post, so you collect commission from sales generated by those links.

Clickbank

Clicbank specializes in digital goods, like ebooks and downloadable videos. The commissions tend to be in the $20-$30 range. Their cookies last 60 days.

The problems with Clickbank is highish returns and heavy competition. Also some of the products they sell are low quality/scams, which has tainted their reputation. Before I sell a Clickbank product I request a review copy from the merchant, so I know it's a quality product. If, however you are good at marketing, it is a very useful program to be part of. What some affiliates do is to market a Clickbank product and then if it works well. They replace it with their own product, to increase their margins.

Web hosting
These are the type of affiliates that I like best. When someone buys, say a new basic web hosting account, it should cost them $50-$100. These companies pay you $50-$100 if you refer the customer. How does that happen, well they pay you for the lifetime value of the customer, not just for the original sale. As all of you know, the cheaper the product, the easier it is to close.

Hosting companies with affiliate programs would be Hostgator, Bluehost and GoDaddy. Be warned though, this is  one competitive niche.

You will find similar subscription type sellers on every affiliate network.

RegNow
RegNow specializes in software sales. I include their program here, because it demonstrates an important concept, the 30 days free trial. Buyers download and use the software and use it free for 30 days. Then if they buy you get your 30-50% commission.

Netflix
Netflix let's customers subscribe to a downloadable video and DVD by mail service. They pay $16 per free 30 day trial subscriber, that you send them. Netflix operate in the USA and UK. The affiliate program is difficult to join, I think they currently want to see a niche specific site.

MagazineAgent
They pay 40-45% on magazine subscriptions. There is a magazine for almost every niche. Because of the relatively low cost of subscriptions you get a lot of impulse buys with magazines.

Insurance
Insurance is a another great niche. A good example would be DentalPlans.com they pay $47 per sale through ShareASale's network. But there are many great insurance programs that you can join.

Orbitz
One big ticket item, many people spend on every year is their vacations. Orbitz pay 2.5% on packages, $3 on air tickets, $25 on cruises, 3-5% on hotels and $4 on car rentals. 

It might not seem like much but holiday costs stack up quickly.  Book a holiday for say a family of 4, think about the tickets, hotel costs and car rental. Your commission can get up to $100 very quickly.

Naturally if you look around you might get higher commissions from less reputable vacation planners, but the bigger ones convert better.

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