Home » James Martell Returns from the ShareaSale Think Tank and Shares with Listeners Exactly How to Evaluate a Merchant and Shares SIX Things that Make an Affiliate Program Successful!
James Martell Returns from the ShareaSale Think Tank and Shares with Listeners Exactly How to Evaluate a Merchant and Shares SIX Things that Make an Affiliate Program Successful!
Coffee Talk with James Martell
Learn from James Martell how he chooses merchant partners for his numerous websites and the questions he asks before forging a partnership with any merchant. In this Coffee Talk, James also tells you exactly how to evaluate a merchant and shares six things that make an affiliate program successful, making it one java break you don’t want to miss.
Having just returned from the ShareaSale Think Tank in Scottsdale AZ, where James and 59 other top affiliates participated in the critique of 12 merchant’s websites, he talks about this short ‘breakation’ and how he uses the time away to recharge his own creativity.
He enjoyed the dry desert Arizona weather and the weekend-long brainstorming session that resulted in the sharing of great ideas, many of which are detailed in this edition of Coffee Talk.
The group checked into the Gainey Ranch resort Friday evening and on Saturday sat back as the 12 merchants who were taking part in the event took 45 minutes to present their website and their products or services.
The affiliates then provided constructive criticism about each site. Doing this all day long, we started to see patterns among the sites that have the highest conversion rates, — James says. Of course, he shares this information with you here.
You will also hear all about the top six things you want to consider when evaluating your merchants and the six things you want to look for in a strong affiliate program.
You can then use these ‘checklists’ to help you choose the most successful merchants, the ones that convert at the highest rate possible, and to ensure you seek out the most successful affiliate programs.
In fact, by learning how to identify the best merchants upfront, those with good conversion rates, and getting in the 3% range, affiliates can double, triple and even quadruple revenues from EXISTING traffic.
And the timing of this Coffee Talk is perfect as James talks about how he has recently noticed that several forum members are working on converting more of their existing traffic into more revenue. In fact, the following six things to look for on any merchant site will also be posted in the forum:
The site’s shopping cart needs to be clean and uncluttered. It should be easy to use, and complete with have product photos and descriptions. It should also list availability of the stock.
Look for shipping information. You don’t want to leave a customer wondering about this. The shipping information should be easy to find and if it is complicated (such as international shipping), make sure your merchant has a shopping calculator front and center where it is easily viewed.
Does the merchant have purchase incentives such as free shipping, discounts for shopping with them, or even gift cards? Of course, you don’t want the visitors you drive to the merchant site to have to spend $2000 before they qualify for these incentives. This will not work in your favor.
Are the product details of the specific product your visitor was looking at listed on exact same page where they make their purchase (details such as manufacturer, dimensions, images, colors available, weight, size, materials, colors, etc.).
Does the merchant site have secure shopping certificates? Look for icons from companies such as GEOTrust, BizRate, Better Business Online, VeriSign, etc.
Also consider the comfort and convenience factor. For instance, what is the merchant’s return and exchange policy. Is contact information there and easily accessible? What are the money back guarantees? Can site visitors view the status of shipment while it is being sent to them? Is company information there? What is the merchant site’s privacy policy.
James also talks about a few sites that were presented at the ShareaSale Think Tank that he thinks listeners should visit including: CSNStores.com, JensonUSA.com, TFAW.com, TinyPrints.com, WeddingPaperDivas.com, WashingtonRedskins.com, Hocks.com, TheNerds.net, ReStockIt.com and LandofNod.com.
INSTRUCTIONS: Simply right-click on the Download link to download the interview into your computer. This session is also available on video, however you will need the QuickTime Player to view it.
Related Entries:
- ShareaSale Think Tank - Fun, Educational and a GREAT Place to Meet Merchants Who Know How to Perform!
- Coffee Talk: To Be, or Not To Be?
- Coffee Talk with ShareaSale’s Brian Littleton
- Great Scott, ShareASale “Think Tank” at the Wynn Las Vegas, a Huge Success!
- Bio - James Martell
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