Amazon- Friend or Foe- Verdict Delivered
I've read so many blogs about folks that either love or don't love Amazon as an affiliate partner.
Reasons why folks love them:
- Variety of products
- Easy to join
- Easy links
- Set up a customized e-store thru their site
- Instant name recognition
Reasons why folks don't love them:
- Low payouts
- Promo Banners often take users to another site
- If you don't sell something in the first 90 days, they threaten to cut ties
- They have short cookie periods
- Takes 90 days to pay out
While all the reasons above are valid, I wanted to share a little example of why it is always good to include a few Amazon affiliate links on your site.
Each of my sites have an average of 2 links per page. Most of my affiliate programs are with third parties that deal specifically in my niche. Even though Amazon only pays half the commission I could earn with my other programs, I also make sure to include at least three Amazon links per site. Why would I do that? It's simple...
When a visitor lands on the Amazon site through your link, you get paid commission on everything that customer purchases regardless if you have linked to it or not. For example: if someone is looking for a new barbeque thermometer, they may Google it and click on your site. Once on your site, they click on the babeque thermometer link and are taken to Amazon. They start browsing around Amazon and notice that there is a sale on Grills. They forget about the thermometer but end up buying a grill and a ton of accessories. The purchase amount is over $700.
Because that customer arrived at Amazon because of your website, you get paid on everything they buy. (some affiliate programs also give you credit for any return visits and those purchases for a designated period of time as well. That is what it means when people refer to "how long do the cookies last?")
I'm attaching a picture of my Amazon account from yesterday. It was a slow day but a great example of what I'm talking about. You will see that out of the 22 items purchased, I was only linking to 1 of the items. But, I'll get paid on everything. Pretty Cool!
Recent Comments
38
So happy for your Tracy. Make sure you are an affiliate for amazon smile and all the other amazons in countries you sell to!
Hi there! You have been a training machine the past couple weeks. Thanks for all the hard work - can't believe that you still have time to check out the dashboard!
Thanks for sharing! Still a little skeptic, lol. ;) The one thing I will say that can really be to an affiliates advantage, is the fact that you will get commissions on ''anything'' a customer buys. That, I must say, I always thought was a great incentive.
Hi there! I totally agree which is why I only have Amazon links sprinkled on my site and I focus more on my anchor affiliates.
Good to know. I have been back and forth on Amazon, but there is one product that I can't find affiliate links for other than Amazon. This makes me feel a little bit better about it. Thank you!
As long as you don't have all your eggs in one basket, it is fine to have a few Amazon links sprinkled about.
Amazon is very good at converting the customer. I have a site that has #1 position in Google for a certain keyword. For the last 3 months it was monetized through Skimlinks. Lots of clicks...no sales. Recently Amazon started accepting affiliates from North Carolina again. I applied, was accepted and have had 2 sales in 2 weeks. Same products, about the same number of visits to the site, fewer clicks but 2 sales. Go figure. I have continued to make minor adjustments and watch the results.
Just like you, teacup, I was booted by Amazon because they didn't like a bill passed by my state legislature. Amazon taking out its wrath and displeasure on its associates is ridiculous and counter-productive. Even if my state bows to the Amazon gods and changes its policies, I doubt I'll ever peddle their wares again. They obviously couldn't care less about the people who generate revenue for them. As far as I'm concerned, Amazon can go do something to themselves that is anatomically impossible, but probably still fun to watch. Best wishes! :-)
Hi and Happy Easter! Thanks for the sales congrats but all that equals about $15.00. Just enough to support my Dr. Pepper habit!
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I used to love Amazon until they closed my associates account due to the Nexus tax law. I promoted high cost items and received a good commission from each purchase. JMHO is to not become too attached to any one affiliate program. Always be prepared to change direction. I learned the hard way.
That stinks, sorry.