Its important to know who your business partners are. This is especially true in affiliate marketing, where you biggest partners are often the merchants that you promote. But how much do you really know these companies? Unfortunately, many affiliates I have talked to do zero research about the merchants they promote.
Just because an offer if listed on your favorite network doesn’t mean the merchant is a good one. Some of the largest merchants out there have “F” ratings and hundreds of open complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Not only can these companies shut down on a moments notice, you could be involved in any backlash or even lawsuits directed at a merchant.
In addition to your normal steps of researching a possible offer, I recommend checking out the merchant as part of your due diligence. These are the minimum steps I would take:
1. Check the BBB report on the merchant. What’s their rating? How many complaints do they have open? Sometimes you can also check the Attorney General or Secretary of State websites in the state where the business is located.
2. Check out their domain. How long have they been around? Do they have real contact info in their whois?
3. Call the merchant and talk to an actual human. At the very least email the merchant. What you ask isn’t as important as just getting a feel for the people at the company through real contact.
It takes a huge amount of time to build and optimize a campaign, as well as the thousands of dollars you will be spending to promote the merchant. Do you really want to make that kind of investment in a company with horrible ratings and business practices? That’s a decision each of us has to make, but personally I only want to work with quality companies that sell products and services that people really want. With so many thousands of merchants out there to choose from, it just make business sense to work with the best.
Affiliates, Research Your Merchants – Who are you Promoting?…
Do you know who you are promoting? Not only can these companies shut down on a moments notice, you could be involved in any backlash or even lawsuits directed at a merchant.
……
Good one. Another important point to check on is the merchant stance on parasiteware. You don’t want to end up partnering with an affiliate who actively partners with parasitic affiliates.
Great post Chad! You keep coming up with great things to think about and to start doing. Keep up the great work.
It’s important to be an educated marketer and consumer these days. You are equally responsible for the products you promote and purchase, and the FTC and other organization are taking drastic measures to promote that message. Always be a smart shopper- even as an affiliate shopping for offers.
There you have it, straight from Dina!
LOL Thanks Chad! It’s really important to know what you’re getting into, no matter what role you play in the marketing mix. No one is going to care about your business or bank account as much as you do!
Its about time the networks start becoming responsible for this. The affiliate networks know exactly what kind of junk they are taking on board. Then the affs get the blame for promoting this stuff.
The affiliate networks then have the nerve to tell affiliates to adhere to certain policies, when the network is hosting some of the dodgiest offers out there.
I am saying that you should really know whom you are promoting…
That’s one of the best thing you should know.
Great post Chad! I know I’m guilty of just going with what my AM says and not taking the time to find out who I’m promoting. It’s gotten me in trouble in the past and I’ve had to be more careful since. Thanks for the tip.
Great article team,
Just the kind of info we all need at just the right time before any neglect happens that damage our business and reputations on many fronts.
Many Thanks indeed
Thanks Chad for the nice post.I Totally agreed you have to research out the people with whom you are planning to raise a partnership, because they are the ones with whom you are going to do business… and with whom you are going to mark a reputation in the field.
BBB is a great way to know about the ranking and domain age search is also an effective way that can help you out in protecting yourself from the frauds.
THE TRUTH… YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH !!!
LOL… OK marketers.. I guess you got taken in by ANOTHER SCAM !!!
Anyone who is in REAL WORLD business KNOWS that the BBB is a scam itself.
1. IT is NOT run by the government or even over-seen by them
2. You can get out of a “bad” rating by being a HIGH paying member
3. They will give a legit business a “bad rating” if you dont join them and pay their fee’s. Like the mafia and “protection money”
Since, most wont know or believe this… Here is someone elses blog on it
http://www.thebluesmokeband.com/bbb.php
or do the usual…. GOOGLE “BBB + SCAM”
YELP is the same as far as someone who can knock you if you dont “join”
Now, the FTC and the IRS and the FCC… THOSE ARE THE ONES TO APPEASE… oh, yeah and your local jurisdiction.
And none of this is new but most of you are too young to remember…
THE COLUMBIA RECORD CLUB
And consumers LOVE crap… if not Neiman-Marcus would rule and Macy’s tooo and people would save up to buy quality that lasts and Walmart and Info-mericials would die. But NO…people vote with their dollars.
I stopped certain niches because they were scams. 9 mnths later those niches STILL have the highest volume of any niches even with 1000’s of BBB complaints/ fraudboard complaints (another scam report board)
but they never do… They just get better and better DISCLAIMERS !!!
and for you wankers looking at my spelling and punctuation and cringing. Sorry your teachers abused you… go get some therapy. There is no semi-colon in the forest and Im sure that focus made you alot of money right now
oh and p.s. Dont trust the govenrment. They are people who want money and power too… just in case you forgot
Good points. Promoting a company with a bad reputation is definitely a bad idea. Not only will it be tough to get sales, but it also reflects poorly upon you.
Yeah I definitely casts a bad impression on you. I always do some research before promoting anything of a questionable nature.
It just makes sense to do your research on the company you are promoting, I am sure it would make for alot or restless nights in the long run.
Till then,
Jean
It’s good way to check domain age and merchant report before dealing. Thanks for good advice.