» April 1, 2008 in
Amazon Associates is one of my favorite affiliate programs. Don't let the 4% entry level commission fool you, once you make only 7 sales in a month you jump to 6% which is pretty competitive for a store that is that well known. Of course the more you sell the more you make.
Not only that but Amazon have some of the coolest toys for affiliates.
They give you access to all their data to use on their site via their api and also provide bunches of cool widgets to use and test.
I don't recommend slapping an amazon ad on a random page, generally product type sites do best, duh, probably because amazon sells products ;) Now for my favorite at the moment.
Omakase Links
Omakase links "will show an Associate's visitors what they're most likely to buy based on Amazon's unique understanding of the site, the user, and the page itself. To create Omakase links, simply modify the template and appearance elements below and copy the resulting code on to your page. Then leave the rest to Omakase!"
Here is why I love Omakase links
1. They convert the best. My report shows my conversion rate of visits into sales for this quarter is 5.5%. That is selling 5.5 products for every 100 clicks.
2. Not only are Omakase links contextual based on the page they are on, they are also based on the user. So amazon shows related products to the page AND the user. If the user shopped for wooden nickels earlier it might also show that ad in their widget.
Direct links still account for most of my amazon earnings, I've been using them the longest, however Omakase is my best converting widget.
When/Where to test
Any place that you use something like Chitika or widgetbucks or adsense I would split test with Omakase Links, IF, the page is product related.
If you don't have much volume it won't make you riches over night, but over the long haul you might be surprised that amazon affiliate sales pay you more than getting paid per click from other places.
Amazon Negatives
While we are on amazon, I HATE their lame reporting. Not only can you not create dynamic tracking id's (you are limited to around 1200) it takes over 24 hours for your stats to update.
Also, while I'm writing this I just saw Darren make this tweet:
Amazon Affiliate program's 'customer care/support' is the most antiquated frustrating system I've ever used
Do you use amazon affiliate program? Any favorites there?
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Joel says on April 1, 2008
Clearly Darren hasn't contacted Paypal customer support.... I haven't tried some of Amazon's funkier options, thanks for the heads-up.
Darren says on April 2, 2008
Joel - yes you're right, havn't used Paypal's support.
My problem with Amazon - I can't change my payment options at present and every time I email them I get a machine response and then when I respond to that I get asked for security questions. Then I provide the security information and then get the machine response again. I've emailed them 6 times in the last few days and can't get passed their stupid system.
Having said that - the program itself is great and it's one of my bigger earners.
Iskandar says on April 2, 2008
I've ditched Amazon years ago.
But due to your post I might give them one more chance.
Who knows .. Omakase might help complement my dropping Adsense income.
Homebizseo says on April 2, 2008
Omakase Links are very interesting and the conversion rate you listed is very impressive. I have been looking at several affiliate progrem on several sites and no one list the best program to start with. What would you start with?
James Mann says on April 2, 2008
You're doing pretty good with your videos Mark.
I have had an Amazon account for quite a while but it got put on the sidelines while I tried other means of advertising and then like so many other things I try I forgot about.
You have video-ed a few things that have jogged my memory.
Thanks Mark.
Matt Jones says on April 2, 2008
Mark you have a fantastic conversion rate! My amazon sales are more like 5 sales per 1000 clicks! I'll be switching over to using eBay now they have launched their new affiliate system away from CJ.
Would be good to know what you think of the new eBay affiliate section.
45n5 says on April 2, 2008
@matt - I know a handful of poeople that love ebay but i've never hit my stride with them
@all - remeber you can't slap product links no a marketing blog and expect great results.
i have product affiliate sites and omakase does real well there ;)
Mark from Bloglyne says on April 2, 2008
So, we should use these on a product blog then?
45n5 says on April 2, 2008
@Mark from Bloglyne - or a product affiliate site or posts with product mentions.
Just my opinion, test yourself ;)
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