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In this tutorial I am going to be walking you through the process of setting up an Amazon Associates (US) account, the affiliate program that allows you to promote the products/services within Amazon's network of 100's of millions of products.
Amazon commissions range 1 - 10%, and you can get their current commission structure from their fee schedule page.
In this training I am also going to explain the application review process, and give you a tour of the back office of your Amazon Associates account.
If you have any questions at all about Amazon Associates, please leave your comments below.
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waltthewell
Premium
Quick question: as a newbie, i've been working diligently on my site. My site is currently not google indexed and without any traffic. Should i apply for Amazon Associate at this point or should i wait until my site begins to get traffic on google?
Also, i'm currently working on a review post, but as i've learned, i cannot use any of the product photos from Amazon. Should i wait to insert these photos once i'm accepted into the Amazon Associate program? I'm told that if you want to use product photos, you can get them from Amazon once you get accepted into their associate program, is that correct?
Also, i'm currently working on a review post, but as i've learned, i cannot use any of the product photos from Amazon. Should i wait to insert these photos once i'm accepted into the Amazon Associate program? I'm told that if you want to use product photos, you can get them from Amazon once you get accepted into their associate program, is that correct?
Rex10
Premium Plus
Hey Walt,
You're doing great, just keep adding content and wait until your indexed and get some traffic before you apply to Amazon. Right now, most likely they will reject you. They did me when I was at the same stage. If they do, don't worry, just wait a couple of months and re apply.
Amazon Photos, hot topic around here sometimes. The product photos themselves do not belong to amazon, they are the property of the product manufacturer. You can go to the manufacturer's website and get the photos directly. Probably the safest way to go.
Amazon gets upset when people screen shot product photos and include all of Amazons' graphics, descriptions and pricing. If you right click on the photo (and only the product photo), and then "save photo as" rename it and download it to your site, they will have a real hard time proving where you got it. I don't think you will have a problem if you do it that way.
Hope that helps,
Rex
You're doing great, just keep adding content and wait until your indexed and get some traffic before you apply to Amazon. Right now, most likely they will reject you. They did me when I was at the same stage. If they do, don't worry, just wait a couple of months and re apply.
Amazon Photos, hot topic around here sometimes. The product photos themselves do not belong to amazon, they are the property of the product manufacturer. You can go to the manufacturer's website and get the photos directly. Probably the safest way to go.
Amazon gets upset when people screen shot product photos and include all of Amazons' graphics, descriptions and pricing. If you right click on the photo (and only the product photo), and then "save photo as" rename it and download it to your site, they will have a real hard time proving where you got it. I don't think you will have a problem if you do it that way.
Hope that helps,
Rex
waltthewell
Premium
Thx so much Rex:
I'll continue to pump out quality contents first before applying to Amazon Associate or any other associate networks. I've read that many got rejected because the site just isn't ready. I'll aim to get at least 12-15 posts with some organic traffics first once i get indexed, then apply for Amazon then. Thank you for your tips on photos. That surely helps!
I'll continue to pump out quality contents first before applying to Amazon Associate or any other associate networks. I've read that many got rejected because the site just isn't ready. I'll aim to get at least 12-15 posts with some organic traffics first once i get indexed, then apply for Amazon then. Thank you for your tips on photos. That surely helps!
Rex10
Premium Plus
Glad to help Walt. You're doing great. Keep up the good work and you will be on your way.
Rex
Rex
SofiaMM
Premium
Hello, in addition to what Rex10 said, be aware that you will only have real issues with Amazon if you are indeed an Amazon Associate. In that case, they deny the commissions payment if affiliates/associates don't do exactly as they say: only use their links material.
If/when you become Amazon Associate, have that in mind: change the images to their images and graphics and add their disclosure sentence nearby every single link you add to your website.
As for now, keep posting until you get some traffic. There's a rule to use Amazon Associates - make 3 sales in 6 months - that you won't be able to meet without traffic :) as a rule-of thumb your site needs to have at least 6 months, and you need to have 50-60 posts posted to get good enough traffic. So... don't make my mistake and apply immediately :D
Wish you the best sucess.
Cheers,
Sofia
If/when you become Amazon Associate, have that in mind: change the images to their images and graphics and add their disclosure sentence nearby every single link you add to your website.
As for now, keep posting until you get some traffic. There's a rule to use Amazon Associates - make 3 sales in 6 months - that you won't be able to meet without traffic :) as a rule-of thumb your site needs to have at least 6 months, and you need to have 50-60 posts posted to get good enough traffic. So... don't make my mistake and apply immediately :D
Wish you the best sucess.
Cheers,
Sofia
waltthewell
Premium
bill808
Premium Plus
The flaw in Affiliate Marketing is that you are at the "mercy" of the company you are representing. When you depend on someone else for your income that will always be the case. WA, in one of the early classes, recommends affiliate marketing as a way to get started and learn how to promote products on the net. WA also recognizes that secure income comes from diversification and selling your own products.
Lewsoftbal
Premium
Kyle thanks for the video. I have heard a lot of the bad press about what Amazon is doing. As a new person getting into affiliate marketing, I do not know what was there in the past. What I do know is that they are one of the biggest sites that most people go to. As you mentioned earlier, 3% of a big pie is better than 0% of nothing. I guess it is just a cost of doing business.
BrendaMZ
Premium Plus
Kyle, your last blog talked about Amazon fees cut so making less for affiliates. Why would you support them when their fees are so low? They cut their affiliate fees for associates. I wouldn't sign up with them-no way. Nice video but you got to be kidding me. Before it was 14 percent now cut to ten percent, thats low of lowest I’ve seen.
Kyle
Premium Plus
Yeah, but it still is one of the largest affiliate programs online, and they generate the most sales out of any company online. There likely will be scenarios in every niche where you can benefit from Amazon, and of course reasons you will join many other affiliate programs.
I certainly don't support their latest moves, but even at 3% with some things you can be very lucrative.
I certainly don't support their latest moves, but even at 3% with some things you can be very lucrative.
CashYoda7
Premium
Hey guys,
I agree. I do nootropics supplements on my site, and I got cut off at the knees.
Went from 4% to 1% if memory serves.
I took my Amazon affiliate links out for my current site, but am still keeping Amazon in mind for a new site promoting appliances or larger ticket items.
I'm pissed at Amazon too, but It's hard to say no to the volume you can push with them.
What ya gonna do? Amazon's so big, they can do what they want. It's just the nature of the beast.
Steven.
I agree. I do nootropics supplements on my site, and I got cut off at the knees.
Went from 4% to 1% if memory serves.
I took my Amazon affiliate links out for my current site, but am still keeping Amazon in mind for a new site promoting appliances or larger ticket items.
I'm pissed at Amazon too, but It's hard to say no to the volume you can push with them.
What ya gonna do? Amazon's so big, they can do what they want. It's just the nature of the beast.
Steven.
RosanaHart
Premium Plus
I'm a big fan of nootropics and I've noticed over the past few years that Amazon sells fewer and fewer of them.
RosanaHart
Premium Plus
Umm.. quite a few... piracetam and other racetams including oxyracetam, aniracetam, noopept. Other mind enhancing supplements too. Discovered them many years ago and take them off and on.