05Jul
Launching an Affiliate Program: What Publishers Want to Know Before Applying
Before applying to your affiliate program, publishers want to know whether your offer fits their audience and how the partnership will work day to day. A good program description gives them enough detail to decide what they can promote, how they’ll earn commission, and which rules apply.What do you offer, and who is it for?
Briefly describe what you sell, who your products are for, and which countries you ship to. If only part of your range is eligible for commission, list the categories that are included. This helps publishers see whether your offer fits an existing article, comparison page, or newsletter.
What earns a commission?
State the commission rate and explain how you calculate it. “5% per approved sale” is a start. If you calculate commission on the value of the products excluding tax and shipping, say so. List any exclusions that apply to specific products, orders from existing customers, or purchases made with certain coupon codes.
If you pay for inquiries or sign-ups, explain what counts as a lead. Is submitting a form enough, or does the person need to verify their email address? This detail helps publishers decide whether the offer is a good fit for their readers.
Which promotional methods do you allow?
Make it clear whether you allow editorial content, coupons, newsletters, social media, or paid search ads. Include any restrictions that affect how publishers plan a campaign. For example, if you allow paid search but prohibit bidding on your brand name, include both points in your program description.
What can publishers use once they’re approved?
Outline the promotional materials you provide and say whether publishers can link directly to product or category pages. A publisher writing a guide may need a link to a specific product. An overview of an entire product range may work better with a link to the relevant category page.
When do you approve transactions, and who can publishers contact?
Explain how long a purchase can be attributed to a click and when you typically review orders. If you wait until the return window closes before approving a sale, saying so helps publishers understand why a commission is still pending. Include a contact for program questions, such as checking whether a planned placement is allowed.