Would be merchants are charged a one time, relatively small start up fee, which will enable them to use ClickBank' secure payment processing services to accept Online payment (fee per transaction). What makes ClickBank even more popular is their affiliate network, which allows merchants to promote their wares by establishing an affiliate program, listed free in ClickBank MarketPlace. The merchant sets commission rate, and has ability to build an affiliate "army" to help promote their digital product/service. From that point on, ClickBank takes care of everything. Payment processing, affiliate commission payment, stats, etc.

But there is one major, easily seen downside to affiliate promotions. ClickBank uses what is known as "hoplinks" as affiliate commission tracking method.

Here is an example: < http://hop.clickbank.net/?xxxxx.im4newbies >

The section of affiliate "hoplink" containing x's is replaced by affiliate's ID. The text that follows (after period ...) is merchant ID.

The problem occurs when promoting this URL, as is.

Anyone with a ClickBank affiliate ID has ability to replace advertiser's ID with their own, even if they are making purchase themselves, and take commission.

On one side was a riddle that didn't make much sense, but on other side was an 'Inspirational Quote' that made a lot of sense.

So much so, that I still have it in my wallet.

This is what it said: "The shortest and best way to make your fortune is to let people see clearly that it is in their interests to promote yours".

I'm constantly amazed to see affiliate programs that offer 20%, or even as little as 15%, to their affiliates.