However, it is important to know best method to getting this result. For affiliate best method may be different than for direct seller.

As a direct seller, selling up front without getting to know your visitor is a viable option. It does work, however it relies heavily on a well-crafted sales letter.

For an affiliate, there is another way to ‘get sale' and it involves getting to know your visitor before they buy through you.

With this method you develop your web site to be as content rich as possible. Articles, newsletter archives, tips and advice.

Originating in USA several years ago with Amazon.com, affiliate marketing has quickly gained acceptance in North America as a viable and effective method of obtaining online screened and targeted site traffic, ongoing revenue generation and building consumer credibility.

This explosive growth and acceptance of affiliate marketing is also rapidly expanding into European and Asian business community, including being translated into numerous languages.

Associate marketing or associate programs are simply revenue sharing arrangements established by sponsor companies selling a variety of online products and services. Web site owners are financially rewarded for sending referrals or customers to business in numerous ways.

Financial compensation results to website owner when a referral goes directly to sponsors site and completes sponsors terms of acceptance.

Terms of acceptance could include that referral do any of following: visiting a site, completing an application or obtaining a quote, registering for a free newsletter, downloading and installing software or making a consumer purchase.

The subsequent payment for lead or referral are defined by sponsor, and can range from a simple one time click through payment or a fixed commission rate, to a multi-tiered payment scheme resembling a MLM matrix that includes potential revenue from future lifetime purchases made by referrals of referrals.