Think Affiliate » affiliate window

Affiliate Window Payment Status

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:04:55 +0000

Payment Status Traffic Light System

This week saw the introduction of Affiliate Window’s new payment system. Each merchant now has a payment status displayed in three places; the merchant directory, the merchant information page and on transaction reports.

The traffic light colours have the following meaning:

Green:

Merchant has an up to date payment record and no payment restrictions.
Affiliates will be paid for all approved commissions regardless of when the merchant pays Affiliate Window.

Note: This is the equivalent to the old payment system and the majority of merchants on the network carry this status.

Amber:

Merchant has longer than standard payment terms, is overdue on some invoices or has little or no credit insurance limit.
Affiliates will be paid for approved commissions only when payment for corresponding invoices has been received by Affiliate Window.
It may take longer for affiliates to receive money from amber rated merchants.

Note: This is the equivalent to the payment system operated by the majority of Affiliate Window’s competitors.

Red:

Merchant has no credit insurance limit, a series of overdue invoices and may be in financial difficulty.
Approved commissions will only be paid when Affiliate Window have been paid in full for all outstanding invoices.

Note: We would advise against promoting these merchants.

The introduction of this traffic light system sooner rather than later will hopefully allow merchants to make the necessary changes that can see their ranking adjust from Amber to Green. Therefore please note that this initial ranking is likely to change over the coming months and it would be worthwhile monitoring those proactive merchants who want to enhance their programme to affiliates.

‘Real Life’ Visitors

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:44:44 +0000

Is it considered acceptable for affiliates to refer people they know to merchants through their own affiliate links? I’m sure the answer to this question must be yes. How does it make any difference what channel is used to provide the merchant with sales/leads as long as it is legal and doesn’t undermine other marketing activities done by that merchant?

The reason I am taking such a strong stance on this, is that a few months ago somebody in a poker league that I play in asked me to recommend a site for them to play on. I recommended 888.com and pointed them in the direction of a page containing my affiliate link. I could have recommended any other site just as easily as 888.com and I think they would have signed up and deposited. As such, I believe that I have provided 888.com with a new player and that I deserve to be paid a commission for this. I know that the player was legitimate and playing on the site, so when no affiliate commission appeared in my account, I contacted Affiliate Window. They asked for the details of the transaction, which I provided for them on 19/09/08. I have now just been informed that:

“The transaction was declined because our system recognized a pattern of fraud in the player’s behavior, which goes against the company’s Ts & Cs.”

I have not been given any more details as to why the transaction was considered fraudulent, but have been told this information might not be available. I’m sorry, but this really isn’t acceptable. I normally hold Affiliate Window in great regards and frequently recommend them, but this time I think they should at least pressure the merchant into giving a good reason why the commission is not being paid.

I’ve made a post on affiliates4u forum, and I’ll update when any more details come through.

Affiliate Window Review

admin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:58:16 +0000

Affiliate Window is the largest independent affiliate network in the UK with over 750 merchants including massive names like Play.com, PC World, Woolworths and Boots. To see a comprehensive list of all of the merchants on the network, view the merchant directory. To find more information about each merchants programme, you will need to apply to Affiliate Window as an affiliate. Signing up requires them processing a £5 admin charge which is refunded to your account and paid in the first commission payment. However, on the website it does state “Affiliate Window reserve the right not to return the £5 fee to affiliates who are judged to be intent on malicious or fraudulent activity”.
After signing in, a wealth of information is available to you when picking which merchants to sign up to. You can get conversion rates, earnings per click, approval percentages, validation times, AWIN index, commission amounts and cookies lengths for every merchant. The AWIN index is a number between 0 and 100 which gives an idea how well the merchant is performing compared to other merchants in the same sector and elsewhere on the network. This takes earnings per click (EPC), validation period, click to sale percentages and approval rates into account, giving an idea of which merchants would be good to promote and just a glance.
Payments are made every two weeks and the minimum payout amount is just £25. Affiliate Window run regular promotions giving away great prizes such as all inclusive holidays, televisions and commission bonuses.

Affiliate Networks

admin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:39:53 +0000

Affiliate Networks act as intermediaries between affiliates and merchants. Networks provide merchants with a wide variety of tools which help them create effective campaigns and monitor the successes of these campaigns. Most networks can also offer merchants a large number of affiliates who are currently actively promoting similar sites/brands.
Networks provide a much simpler way for affiliates to sign up to CPA campaigns. Affiliates can browse through a directory of merchants viewing information such as commission levels, average earnings per click, how long the merchant has been with the network etc… It is then possible to sign up to these networks and start promoting them straight away. One of the main advantages is the simplification of having to bill merchants. If you are working with 10 merchants on a single network you will only have to worry about receiving money from one company instead of having to invoice 10 different companies separately.
In the UK, the main affiliate networks include Affiliate Future, Affiliate Window and TradeDoubler. Most networks are free to join for affiliates, but merchants have to pay fees which can stretch well into the thousands of pounds. Affiliate Window requires £5 to open an affiliate account, but this is credited to your account and is paid back as soon as you have earned £20 in commission.