How an Advertising Network Works
What is an Online Advertising Network?
Also known as: a Marketing Network or an Affiliate Network, or an Affiliate Programme, or as Affiliate Marketing
Essentially, the above names or descriptions all refer to the same thing. The origins of Go back just a few years ago to when the IT boom was being created and Businesses discovered the internet. Initially the felt obliged to have their own websites even if it was just a shop window, but they soon realised that many prospective customers had formed the habit of scanning their website before deciding to buy from or work with them. From this it became apparent that their website could be an very effective marketing tool and it would be more cost-effective than past methods.
From this the concept of an Advertising Network was soon born and it is essentially very simple. However, there are elements that can make it slightly daunting to some people but we try to keep it as simple as possible because we feel people (generally) have more faith in understandable, transparent deals.
The Background to an Advertising Network
So this is how it works: These days it is very easy for anyone to set up their own website and become an online Publisher. Some website owners are attracted by the idea of becoming an internet entrepreneur, with or without any pre-conceived ideas or plans of how they will achieve this. Others can be professional bloggers or they do it as a hobby and/or a way of earning a little bit extra as a second income.
One of the attractive things about this type of activity is that you don’t have to be “at work” throughout working hours like, for example, a shopkeeper. And, of course, their websites will be working 24-hours per day.
So, in this way, Website Entrepreneurs and Businesses have come together and have created a boom in internet activity. And they have created for themselves a symbiotic relation:
The Merchants: The Businesses with websites. Businesses realise that they can boost their sales through their website especially if traffic is increased. Finding that their online presence can be a more cost-effective form of marketing than they have traditionally employed, they seek to maximise traffic to their website and now recognised that internet affiliate marketing provides them with the best return on their advertising spend.
The Affiliates: Internet Entrepreneurs, Bloggers, Small Businesses, Niche Websites, Hobbyists, Enthusiasts (etc etc). Now who would like to see more (or some) revenue for their efforts? The answer, “Everybody,” and some even seek to earn a living from their online undertakings. The big benefit for the affiliate is that their web presence is working for them 24-hours per day. And now, with no additional cost and very little extra time and effort, they can convert the traffic on their site into a revenue stream.
The Sellfast Advertising Network
The Sellfast Advertising Network joins Merchants and Publishers together for each other’s mutual benefit. Irrespective of whether it is known as affiliate marketing, affiliate programmes or, even, associate programmes, the network is based on agreements where an owner of an online platform(s) publishes (hence known as the affiliate and/or publisher) advertisements for products or services from another Business’s website who is called the Merchant and/or Advertiser.
From the Merchant information provided by Sellfast, Affiliates can choose which products they wish to advertise and from which Merchants. Often Affiliates will want to choose the types of products that fit with the theme or content of their site and which, therefore, are likely to be of most interest to the traffic on their site. n This makes an Advertising Network a very targeted way of advertising.
How everyone gets Paid
The advertisements that are placed on the affiliate’s site contain links to the merchant’s website for which the merchant pays the affiliate. These links are controlled and monitored by Sellfast who, holding monies from the Merchant, pays the Affiliate on an agreed performance basis.
The payment is usually based upon either the number of clicks the affiliate sends to the merchant’s site or, more usually, the number of people the affiliate sends that buys something or performs some other action.
Basically, if a link on an affiliate site brings traffic to the merchant website, the merchant pays the affiliate site according to their agreement. Sellfast runs the entire Affiliate Programme and undertakes the agreements between merchants and affiliates.
Brief Descriptions
Affiliates (aka Publishers)
They are also known as Publishers as they publish adverts from others on their online platforms for which they get paid on an agreed basis.
Merchants (aka Advertisers)
They are also known as Advertisers as they advertise on the Affiliate’s websites for which they pay on an agreed performance basis.
Agencies
A firm that creates, plans and handles advertising (and sometimes other forms of promotion and marketing) in a promotion for its clients.
The Affiliate Network
This is Sellfast! Sellfast organises Affiliates & Merchants bringing them together for their mutual benefit. Sellfast provides links & banners for the Affiliates to advertise the Merchants,it also runs the Network and pays the Affiliates on behalf of the merchants.
Types of Affiliate Network Deals
- CPA:
- CPL:
- CPS:
- CPC:
- CPM:
Cost per Action or Acquisition. Normally used to pay for Form Submissions, Downloads and Surveys.
Cost per Lead. Usually used when a “sign-up” process requires email or credit card verification.
Cost per Sale. Commission on Sales usually as a percentage. This is the most common Affiliate Deal and the usual one used by Sellfast.
Cost per Click. Paid traffic irrespective of a sale.
Cost per Millennium. Payment per one thousand impressions.
Click below if you are interested in joining or require more information: