Affiliate networks mediate between merchant Web sites, who wish to advertise their site, and affiliate services. Making people to visit your site is much easier, when you work with an intermediary such as existing affiliate networks.

 

There are several advantages involved in working through affiliate network, rather than working directly with affiliate site. First, it takes time to find an affiliate, second, the work needs to be controlled and supervised – the merchant Web site should check the orders, the number of customers visiting the site, and so on. Affiliate networks take upon themselves to fulfill these tasks. They track the activity on the Web site, arrange all payment, and help affiliates set up the necessary links on their site.

 

Affiliate networks hold a catalogue of many different, sometimes several thousands, merchant Web sites. Each merchant has a specific type of product he wishes to promote, and each one gives a commission to the affiliate for a client he brings. The commissions vary according to different standards – they sometimes pay for every click on the site, sometimes –percent of every sale et cetera.

 

The premise of affiliate networks is to establish connections between merchants and motivated salespersons. In return for this convenience, affiliate networks take a cut of each transaction. This kind of service makes it easier for affiliates and merchant sides to find each other, and come to mutual agreement.