Traffic and Sales Reporting

A practice so common as to be considered standard, affiliate tracking companies allow affiliates to log on and review traffic and sales that they have generated over certain date periods. Some companies allow affiliates to create campaigns by which they can track effectiveness of different marketing methods. The type of reporting available tends to be consistent across all affiliate programs a company tracks.

Payment Frequency

The industry standard is to send commission payments on a monthly basis when an affiliate’s earnings reach a certain minimum balance. Some programs send checks more or less frequently. On rare occasions a company will not send checks automatically, instead requiring that affiliates log on and request a payment. This is often a sign of an untrustworthy company trying to avoid paying all commissions due. Anything other than automatic payment is uncommon.

Network of Programs

Some tracking companies cater to affiliates who wish to participate in multiple programs. An affiliate who is part of their network can examine and join other programs they track, pending approval of each program manager.

Training

Any program that leaves training of affiliates solely in hands of their tracking company is doing their affiliates a great disservice, but tracking company can help. Kowabunga, for example, provides affiliates with a database of affiliate marketing articles, FAQs, and a quick start guide. A tracking company can’t provide training for a specific product or service, but they can educate affiliates on general aspects of industry.

When you are researching how commissions are paid, you should also look at whether program pays only on one level or more than one. These are called single-tier, two-tier or multi-tier. Some programs offer commissions down four or five tiers. The tiers are created when another person signs up as an affiliate using your link.

Another aspect of affiliate commissions is how often commissions will be paid. Some companies pay quarterly, while others pay monthly or bi-weekly, depending on amount of money owed to you.

The amount of commission owed to you also plays a part in when you are paid. Most companies do not pay until your accumulated commissions is $50 or more. A few companies do not pay first month, but pay one (or three) months after commission has actually been earned. Sometimes you can choose your own level when you sign up as an affiliate, but not often.

As you can see, there's a lot more information you need to know about affiliate commissions than getting them. Keep these things in mind when you choose affiliate programs to promote and it will help to increase 'your' commission revenue.