Hi Everyone,
I just joined the forum today and thought I'd chime in since I run a program on Shareasale and have for the last year, as well as ran another program on their network in the past.
You're right - there are so many networks now, it's hard to determine which ones are better than others. The truth is, they all have their pros and cons, and it's really a matter of preference and cost for most merchants and affiliate managers.
Of the "big 3" networks (though there are so many networks now the big 3 may become the big 5 or big 10 in due time), here is an overview of my thoughts and experiences:
Linkshare is the most expensive for merchants but is known to be a reliable means of tracking affiliate sales. Reporting interface is not bad but definitely has room for improvement. On last check, LS takes the equivalent of 30% of each commission paid by the merchant, as their transaction fee. Set up and maintainence costs are reportedly the highest of the big 3.
CJ aka Commission Junction is getting up there in price as well but is still reportedly more cost effective than Linkshare, for the merchant. Often the topic of many controversial discussions, CJ's affiliate screening and acceptance practices leave much to be desired. Having said that their reporting interface is my personal fave though the system was often bottlenecked by traffic but it may have improved. On last check, CJ takes the equivalent of 30% of each commission paid out as their transaction fee, from the merchant. Set up and maintenance costs have been on the rise and put CJ out of reach for many smaller start up biz type merchants but they're still more affordable than LS. Those who can justify the network fees will find CJ to have a large base of affiliates and for their program signups to grow at a faster pace than on a smaller network - but as with any network - look out for application fraud (lots on CJ) and affiliates who signup and never perform. An experienced, quality AM or OPM can overcome all of this.
SAS aka Shareasale is known for their personalized service, pro-affiliate attitude, reliable real-time tracking, better affiliate screening processes (in efforts to keep parasites out) and the most affordable network for merchants, in speaking to the "Big 3." For new merchants to the SAS network, program set up is only a few hundred bucks, there are no maintence fees, and they only take 20% of each commission paid instead of 30% like the bigger guys. Their affiliate membership base is considerable smaller than CJ's and LS's at this time but it is on the rise thanks to the buzz they've been getting due to their quality service and friendly approach to doing biz over the last few years. Affiliates can expect to find many smaller name or indie biz merchants on the network as opposed to huge brand names (though there are exceptions), but they'll also find many unique niche type items they may not find on other networks, which can provide more bang for the affiliate's buck in terms of ROI.
Hope that helps.
All the best!
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Liz Gazer
Growthspurt Media Affiliate Mgmt. & Consulting Services
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