How to Choose an Affiliate Network: 7 Questions to Guide You

When it comes to affiliate marketing, you usually have two options when choosing your platform: either have an in-house affiliate program, or you can go with the more popular option and join an affiliate network.

An affiliate network is a platform which essentially acts as a place where affiliates and merchants can find each other, while the network simply acts as an intermediary between those two.

On top of that, affiliate networks often offer various tools that can aid your affiliate marketing campaign, and sometimes they can even offer some management services, so there’s no denying that these networks can be very useful.

So let’s say that you also wish to join an affiliate network — how can you know what to pay attention to and how to select the right one? Well, you will need to consider these questions:

1. Who Are You Targeting as Affiliates?

First of all, you need to understand what kind of affiliates you aim to attract and what their target audience is: does it align with yours?

Consider whether your ideal affiliates are bloggers, social media influencers, content creators, niche website owners and so on, and then see if the affiliate network you’re considering has affiliates that match your needs.

2. Which Networks Are Your Competitors On?

Monitoring your competitors has its perks: you can get new ideas for your business, see where you can improve, learn of the industry trends and so on. Monitoring affiliates will also help you to decide which affiliate network to choose.

You see, researching the affiliate networks your competitors are using can help you understand the types of affiliates they partner with or networks they are using. Then, you can get an idea of whom you also can work with and what network to choose.

3. What Type of Tracking Solution Do You Need?

Different affiliate networks can have different tracking methods. There are many of them, but some of the most common ones are cookie-based, pixel or server-to-server tracking — all of these have their pros and cons.

Decide which trafficking so will best suit you, and make sure that you find an affiliate network that has the tracking solution you need!

4. What Can You Afford to Pay?

Before you join an affiliate network, calculate how much you can afford to pay and also consider the potential return on investment (ROI) of your affiliate marketing. 

Different affiliate networks have varying fee structures: setup or monthly subscription fees, commission rates and so on and while some networks may offer lower fees or commission rates, they may also provide fewer resources and support services. 

On the other hand, higher-cost networks may offer advanced tracking capabilities, dedicated account management, and access to a larger pool of high-quality affiliates, but they can take a toll on the budget.

So, assess your financial capabilities and see what would be better: save money but join a network with fewer resources, or find the best, but pay more. The most ideal option — of course — is to strive for balance. 

5. Will You Be Targeting International Affiliates?

If your affiliate marketing strategy also involves reaching a global audience, then It's essential to choose a network that supports international partnerships. 

Look for networks that offer multi-currency payment options, multilingual support, and have a presence in key international markets. Additionally, be sure to find out if the network's tracking capabilities are compatible with different currencies and international traffic sources, to accurately attribute conversions across various regions. 

6. How Will Your Program Be Managed?

What you also need to consider is how your affiliate program will be managed. Depending on your resources, expertise, and level of involvement, you may opt for different management approaches such as:

1. In-House Management — when your company has a dedicated management team with experience in affiliate marketing.
2. Outsourced Management — when you use the services of an outside agency or consultant, who manages your affiliate program.
3. Network Management — when affiliate networks offer management services.
4. Hybrid Approach — a management which combines in-house management with outsourced or network-managed services.

Think of the one you wish to use and select your affiliate program network accordingly — for instance, if you want the network to also do the management, then pick one that has these services.

7. What Do Your Affiliates Prefer?

Of course, you also need to understand what affiliates prefer, especially if you already work with affiliates. Sometimes they can express their preferences or even ask you to join an affiliate program they think would be the most beneficial.

Usually, affiliates decide on and pick a network based on several criteria:

• Structure of commissions;
• What is the reputation of this affiliate network;
• Accuracy of tracking what methods are used for it;
• What support does it offer affiliates and so on

 That way, you can choose an affiliate network that works both for you and your affiliates.