Totally agree, now that you have pointed this out. I too log into CJ several times a day, for a quick look at how things are going. I have an AdSense extension for my Firefox browser so I can always check that my sites are making their expected revenue.
But Linkshare - I put off running reports because it is so arduous (ie it takes more than 1 minute...)
Scott, I agree with you on the sometimes "clunky" behavior of the big networks. Something I hate about Linkshare since 2001 is the fact that the Link Section (where you get you link codes, banners etc.) and offer section (where you can see the contact information, commission rate, tiers, return days etc.) are not connected.
I save the contact information of a Merchant in our DB when I add a Merchant. I always end up having too much Browser windows open to cover all relevant sections of the network.
Second, when you select a Merchant in the drop down, then enter a link section, you have to select another merchant from the drop down first and then select the previous merchant again to see the links homepage (where you find most of the time very relevant information)
I prefer personally Indy merchants anyway. Most of our commissions is generated for those programs.
Regarding autofill... DUDE... visit my site scroll down and click on the ROBOFORM banner.... buy the software for $30, leave me the commission, install the software, use it, be all happy and send me check over the amount that makes up the estimated time saving for one year on filling forms and logging into whatever acount on whatever site (and remember passwords). You have my address :)
DUDE. I know. But I use a Mac. In any case, my above rant inspired me to find something, which I've just been too lazy to do in the nearly 4 years since I "switched". I recently purchased 1Passwd' href='http://1passwd.com/">1Passwd'>http://1passwd.com/">1Passwd which seems to be nice and effective. Still getting used to it.
RE: merchant links, same here. I tend to get everything I need, store it in the database and create links on the fly. Only works if the merchant supports deep linking.
That's why talk of "encrypted links" at Linkshare and LMI at CJ give me shivvers.
iPassport sound like a similar tool like roboform. I bought me dad roboform2go and usb stick along with it. He was one one those people who wrote sticky notes with password hints to then replace them or being unable to figure out the password based on the cryptic hints :) Well, its better than those people who write the actual passport on sticky notes :)
Same here with the Links and Data. That allows you to create new mash ups = unique content and implement new ideas. Something that helps you to avoid issues with Search Engines, allows you to tap into new markets where the Advertiser is currently not represented, not to mention the ability to provide something useful to the user :).
I haven't looked at the encrypted links at Linkshare yet. Is there something developing I should keep an eye on or did this die with CJ LMI?
I like your writing style about these affiliate programs. It is true that the user interface has to be as simple as possible for their affiliates. This is especially true when there are so many merchants vying for the same affiliate market. Oh yes, if you are interested in ppc affiliate programs like adsense, can always try <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.affiliatestrategist.com">7Sear...' href='http://href=%22http://www.affiliatestrategist.com%22%3E7Search.com">href="http://www.affiliatestrategist.com">7Sear...'>http://href=%22http://www.affiliatestrategist.com%22%3E7Search.com">href="http://www.affiliatestrategist.com">7Sear... affiliate program
I couldn't agree more!
Even after you've logged into Linkshare, it's impossible to find or sign up for programs by name.
For example, Match.com is a Linkshare merchant. But if you type 'match.com' into the "FIND A MERCHANT BY NAME" search box, all that gets returned is, "There are no new offers available now. Please try the other categories."
Huh?
I gave up on Linkshare years ago.
Now if I could only get someone at CJ to answer their email...
© 2012 http://www.jangro.com/
RSS
In the comments of my previous post I pledged to do something in August to increase my activity in each of Performics and ShareASale. Performics has renewed efforts to become more focused on their affiliate business. ShareASale has always been great for affiliates. And here I am doing most of my business in the networks that are squandering their affiliate loyalty with difficult to use interfaces, stagnant features, and worse, "features" that make our lives more difficult.
This got me to thinking, what is it that makes it so difficult get over to those lesser-used, but promising, networks and get something going with their merchants?
To help answer that question, I paid close attention to my habits during the day and my experience as I interact with the different affiliate networks. Here's what I found.
The first thing I do in the morning, is log into Commission Junction. That's the only one I log into every morning first thing. In fact, I can't wait to log in to see what happened the previous day, even though I have a pretty good idea from looking before I went to bed.
And then I log in several times a day as their stats update continually. Since I'm always in there, it just makes sense for me to keep doing business there. (this is a key point that I think others don't seem to get. It's as much about mind-share as anything.)
I'll usually log into Adsense as well, not because I make a ton of money there, but it's reports act as sort of my consolidated stats for all the sites that are sort of just sitting there catching natural traffic. If some search engine change has happened, I can usually spot it in my adsense reports. And their reports update all day long (see a trend here?).
I rarely log into Linkshare. I've got plenty going on there, but it's just such a hassle to log in, and their stats only update daily.
Compare CJ's login process to Linkshare's: Commission Junction type cj.com (I'm a keyboard navigator and a horrible bookmark user) username/password fill in automatically since the cursor is in the form already, I hit enter and I'm in.
I can do all that with my eyes closed.
Right away, I'm staring at my running balance at the top (I have developed photographic memory for the previous value) and a dashboard of statistics in the "Login Manager", it contains the prior day traffic and commission information for two CJ accounts and my dying BeFree account. The login manager is the last lifeline into BeFree. What a great feature. Who's idea was that anyway?
Linkshare type linkshare.com (again, I just don't have a bookmark habit.) click on the login link type in username and password (they disable auto-complete) type in the captcha check (damn this captcha check)
What am I greeted with? That foolish legal message, "We are unable to validate one or more pieces of your profile information at this time." Yeah, I know. You've been telling me this for over a year now.
In order to see any useful information, the report is still a few clicks away. Or worse, that crazy java-based reporting system that I've used once in my life...once.
I'm sorry. I'm getting sarcastic. Linkshare does that to me.
Performics' login isn't great. What's with the turning off of auto-complete with these guys? Come on, let me worry about my security. You're not doing me any favors.
ShareASale's login is unfortunately behind a link on the homepage, and the only other thing it needs is for the cursor to be in the form so I can just hit enter.
Otherwise, good stuff: Running balance on the homepage (currently $0.00, but we're going to change that) and a quick link to today's stats.
As I read what I just wrote, it all seems terribly picayune, but every little thing matters. Granted, once I'm earning big bucks somewhere, I won't be so picky, but I think these things are keeping me from getting there. I have only so much time in my day. I don't need to spend it fighting with user interfaces.
OK, now to do something with these guys. Starting with ShareASale this week...
I've got a shoe price comparison site and SaS has got a good shoe merchant, LoveMyShoes. Good EPC. Product datafeed. But their feed is missing some critical data. I contacted Brian, the owner of ShareASale (what other network can you do that on?) and asked him what my chances were for getting that data fixed. He immediately introduced me to their affiliate manager, who was also very accommodating. Long story short, 48 hours later, the datafeed is updated with additional data. We got what we need, the datafeed is improved, everybody wins. The data is loaded and traffic is flowing through ShareASale.
Oh, and look at that, as I write this, sale #1. There's nothing like that first sale. And even though I've got Sub ID tracking set up to get this info from my own tracking, ShareASale even tells me which page that the sale came from. How cool is that? ( it was from here: Clarks Twill)
Mission Accomplished (running balance: $7.67. It's a start.)
Next stop...Performics.
I leave you with some relevent H.D. Thoreau
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.