Pros & Cons of using LinkShare as a one stop Affiliate Program Manager

Where works concerned, we all want simplicity and convenience in our lives, so when it comes to choosing your affiliate programs you have two main options, you either go direct to individual programs or you join a large affiliate network.  There are definite advantages for both which I will expand on in due course. I have picked out LinkShare to compare the pros and cons of joining a large affiliate network.

What is LinkShare?

A very popular and well run affiliate network, LinkShare maintains and manages affiliate programs for thousands of members. It has many different products and services to promote, from big and small merchants including popular names like Macy’s, iTunes and Avon. It makes its profits from setup fees and monthly account maintenance fees and commissions.

LinkShare Pros

• Large network of programs to promote
• Encourages Merchants to a large network of affiliates who are searching for affiliate marketing opportunities
• Everything is centralized giving you the benefit of comparing commission rates, also saves you a lot of time by allowing you to manage all your programs in one place. Check all your stats
• Track performance through monthly reports and statements, as well as its sales and commission rates, so you know whether the affiliate program is still worth continuing
• Helps you manage and maintain all records of visitors’ click-through and sales transactions. It takes care of your commissions and pays you monthly. Overall it’s easier for you to manage your accounts and track your earnings when you are in a large affiliate network.
• Security and reliability, information is precise and accurate, you are in a safe and secure environment

LinkShare Cons

• Lower commission rates; because it’s a third party program network where merchants have to pay for the use of the service and technology offered, thus affiliates get lower commissions.
• Direct affiliate partners are more cost effective so costs are considerably lower than LinkShare; potential earnings are higher with independent affiliate programs.
• Payments usually take longer because LinkShare has to get paid first by the merchants before you do, this can be up to two months

In the end it’s up to you! There’s no doubt that there are advantages in joining a large network. Another point to remember is that if you have your eye on a particular merchant that you fancy promoting, it may well be in a large Affiliate network, so you have no choice but to join.

Direct Affiliate Programs

The direct route of affiliate marketing has major benefits not least of all better commission rates; personally I have and still do promote many individual affiliate programs but I also make use of one or two larger affiliate networks. The key to affiliate marketing is to be organized, I like to diversify as much as possible. A lot depends on your promotional strategies and above all your persistence.

If I were to pick between a large network and a direct affiliate program then I would choose the latter. The main reasons, you get more bang for your buck along with more passive income opportunities and it’s very diversified on earning models. There are many excellent affiliate programs to choose from and with the use of affiliate network software it makes the process easy and straight forward to use.

Last word

Before you promote any affiliate program always look at the commission rates and use common sense by checking key points like how payments are made, payment processors, certificates, policy and so on.

Any thoughts?