As for iCodes being treated as a voucher code website, does this decision apply to every affiliate who has a whitelabel version of iCodes and/or Promotions.co.uk? I hope the answer is Yes, so that others aren’t treated in the more favourable way, and therefore one rule that applies to all, making it a level playing field.

The lines are very much drawn by the merchants. They are the ones that will decide the value of vouchercode websites and whether or not they want to work with them. We will assist by providing the merchant with all the necessary information and advice, but ultimately it is a merchant’s decision as to whether they work with a particular affiliate.

I agree that the lines are blurred somewhat and distinctions are difficult to make. To be classed as a true content site I feel the user has to be attracted to the site for a reason other than picking up a discount code.

The ICodes example is tricky. We know many of our affiliates that take content from ICodes and I don’t really think there has been enough clarity on the subject. I have actually asked ICodes for a meeting to understand more about the platform. At the moment, ICodes has been treated as a vouchercode website in a number of policy decisions on the subject.

I think one thing we can all agree on is this is a difficult issue and one that will not be ironed out without significant input from all sides. Therefore, I welcome anyones thoughts on the subject and you are welcome to contact me on the details below.

Kind Regards
Anthony Clements
Tel: 020 7553 0353
Email: aclements@affiliatewindow.com

VOUCHER WEBSITES!!!!!!

WEBSITES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bang on! Nail on the head! Correct terminonoly!!! Not a voucher affiliate but a voucher website!

Now, can I ask… does Affiliate Window have details of every single person who has an iCodes or Promotions whitelabel site? Are they therefore treated in exactly the same way as those of us who have our own backend solution?

What about those who have “content sites”… who are allowed to promote voucher codes for merchants such as GLTC. Therefore these merchants are fast turning “content sites” into “voucher sites” that should also be liable to the same rules and regulations. Where do you draw the line?

I certainly agree that it is the network’s responsibility to educate the merchant. In every case we try to do this to the best of our ability.

However, it is also our responsibility to protect the interests of the merchant and the long-term future of their programme. If merchants do not see vouchercode websites as part of their affiliate strategy then I think the merchant is well within their rights to remove affiliates who generate the majority of their sales through vouchercode directories. Usually, this is an informed decision despite many accusations otherwise.

Frostie, I definitely take your point that if you run lots of websites and one happens to be a vouchercode website, the merchant is cutting off potential sales from your other sites by blanket banning you. We recognise this frustration and are in the process of developing something, due for release in June, which should go a long way to alleviating this problem.

At present, the merchant’s only way of controlling the situation is to remove affiliates it deems to operate in the voucher code area and we cannot stop this. However, we will always do everything possible to help affiliates who want to work with a programme via their other sites. This really needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis, depending on the merchant and the affiliate involved.

If an affiliate has been suspended from a programme because they operate a vouchercode site, but wish to work with the merchant via other sites, all they need to do is contact us and provide their affiliate id, the merchant name and the other websites they are using. We will then speak to the merchant about allowing the affiliate back onto the programme, providing the affiliate agrees to not put any affiliate links on their vouchercode website. As part of this process, we will also review the referring pages for the affiliate’s previous sales to see if they are indeed using other websites to promote the merchant, and will do so on an ongoing basis.

Obviously, we will provide all the advice and information necessary for the merchant to make an informed decision on whether they wish to work with the affiliate, but the final decision will be the merchant’s.

If any affiliate wishes to contact us regarding this please send an email to accountdevelopment@affiliatewindow.com or they can email me directly at aclements@affiliatewindow.com

Kind Regards
Anthony

FFS – why can’t networks actually be proactive and educate merchants that there is no such thing as a Discount Affiliate. How loud do I have to shout? And yes, I do see this as being a networks role, and sadly I see many networks shying away from it.

Dear Affiliate,

Our commission structure has now changed.

In previous communication we informed you that we were moving to a new 3 level commission structure. These changes took affect from the 1st May 2009. Our commission level for loyalty and discount sites, like yours, has been reduced from 10% to 5%.

As previously stated, the reason we have decided to offer a lower rate for loyalty and discount affiliates is the majority of the customers we receive via these channels are returning customers and we are shifting the focus of our affiliate activity towards enticing new customers.

If you have any queries or you would like more information please contact mcummings@connect-distribution.co.uk

Kind Regards

Currys Partmaster

This was discussed at the IAB Affiliate Council meeting last week. Minutes here – http://www.affiliates4u.com/forums/iab-affiliate-marketing-council-forum/104352-iab-affiliate-council-minutes-26th-march-2009-a.html#post484641

Matt

Regarding 30 sites and 30 network accounts. No. I run affiliate sites and wouldn’t do that, no way. Maybe the networks should do something?

I wont name the network but one shows me (in my affiliate manager shoes) ‘xxxxx xxxxx’ and thats it. No sites, no email, no phone, no address – so if they send me 100 sales a day what am I to do? If they send 100 a day I ant to offer them £XXXX for 130, but at the same time I need to know where they are from and how they’re making them.

About time networks open up just a small fraction of the data they hold?

Long time no speak – hope all is well with you mate! OK, I understand what you say, but look at it from another point of view…

Affiliate has 30 sites – does Knicker Merchant expect an affiliate to have 30 different accounts with 30+ networks?

Rember, the Knicker merchant isn’t the only Knicker supplier out there. If this was the case, then I would simply give the £40k of business to one of the many alternatives who take time to get to know me and work with me. Expecting the affiliate to do all the leg work, all the time, is unreasonable.

Still doesn’t detract from the pigeonholing in the first place either which is, IMHO, the source of the problem.

Hope all is well. Not feeling overly wordy so ill keep it short and from a merchant POV.

Merchant A sells knickers, you have a knickers site, gambling site and porn site. Merchant A wants f*ck all to do with porn, you know you can make hundreds of sales per month for them via your knickers site.

Do you:
a) Spend time talking, emailing and explaining to the merchant how you promise that their products wont feature on the porn site.
b) Set up another account for the knickers site

To me b) seem simple, merchant nows where you intend on promoting them and you know your not at risk of being pigeonholed.

There are white label cashback sites knocking about – if your doing £40k profit via Direct Line insurance each month but fancy having a whitelabel cashback site would you sign up the cashback site under the same site/network/account ID as the one turning £40k profit?