Time To Revisit LinkShare
I’m one of those people who 9 times out of 10 doesn’t adapt to change. It’s not that I am afraid of change, it’s more a case of suffering bouts of serious CBA syndrome.
Recently I’ve been tempted to take another look at a few networks that I don’t make much use of, usually just adding a link here and there and not logging in for a further 3 months. This happened with LinkShare, however when I logged in the other week I was pleasantly surprised by not only the number of UK merchants they have, but also the names now on their books.
ABOUT LINKSHARE
LinkShare is the world’s largest affiliate network with over a decade of affliate marketing experience. LinkShare’s client service is unique to the UK market and our UK partners are able to benefit from our global affiliate relationships, leading advertiser and publisher tools and the international experience the UK team offers.
Launched in August 2006, the LinkShare UK Network is partnered with a number of established UK retailers such as luxury online fashion retailer Net-A-Porter, global fashion and home furnishing brand Laura Ashley, luxury lingerie companies Figleaves and Myla, the iconic global fashion brand Kurt Geiger and popular fashion retailers Boden and Kew. Also recognizing the strength and opportunity offered by LinkShare UK are travel advertisers British Airways, Radisson Edwardian and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
I knew LinkShare had merchants such as Lego, House Of Fraser and UniQlo which as far as I’m aware, are exclusive to them, but upon further inspection I also noticed other merchants whom I already affiliate with via different networks such as FigLeaves, Avon and British Airways. This now means I have an option of which network I choose to send my links, for merchants I thought I previously had no other choice but one network.
Great news for all affiliates! 
MERCHANTS
I’ve already mentioned some big named merchants above, but a quick look reveals other names available on the LinkShare network that I wasn’t aware of and you may not be aware of, include Cath Kidston, Elemis, Fleurop, French Connection, Goldsmiths, Koodos, Kurt Geiger, Laura Ashley, Links of London, Radisson and Starblu.
In total LinkShare manage 75 merchants of which 60 are open for application to all affiliates, the remainding 15 programmes are private and the account managers would contact affiliates to join. Rumour has it that there are quite a few more new programmes being added over the next few weeks, which is encouraging.
PAYMENT
LinkShare pay weekly based on a limit of commissions reached. The threshold isn’t £100 nor £50 but is set by the affiliate themselves! It is however worth noting that LinkShare only pay affiliates once the invoices have been settled with the merchants.
CONTACT
I deal with LinkShare mainly via email, but I’m glad to report that they are contactable on MSN for direct or urgent issues. Email’s originate from the account managers email address should you need to discuss communication further – none of this no-reply@…. rubbish!
You can speak to LinkShare at the forthcioming A4U Expo. Visit LinkShare at Stand 29 and tell them Frostie sent you 
7 Comments
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Social Stuff
How much?
Doug
Cheap as chips Doug!
Seriously I have aired many times about lack of payments from a particular network and know a lot of other affiliates that complain about similar problems. The main issues are late payments, apparent lack of chasing up nonpayments from merchants, payment frequency and a support system that doesn’t seem to work.
I think a big shake-up and wake-up is required by the network as affiliates will move to another network if they continue to bury their heads and pretend everything is fine and dandy.
It’s just good every now and then, when you stumble across another network and can use them as an alternative to plug some favourite programmes. Who knows… next time I may take a look at Netklix and Zanox. :p
This is the 2nd overtly positive review of link share that I’ve read in the last 2 weeks, spooky or good PR?
I guess it’s a bit of both? Everyone is different, but personally where I can move links from a disappointing network to another then I guess it makes business sense.
I was surprised at the amount of merchants Linkshare had from what I remembered last time I logged in.
Defo worth a check IMO
Support from LinkShare via MSN is top notch – and it has to be because the interface is awful!
Deeplinking is also a PITA and having to have a seperate Id for each site is time-consuming – even more so because the interface is one of the slowest around.
So there’s your balance, but they definitely have some great merchants and having a choice of networks from an affiliate POV is always a good thing.
I’m slowly ramping up my LinkShare usage and it’s definitely an excellent network that I want to work with.
Joe
I used to think the interface was bad until I was told I was using the old one! Not sure if you’re still using the old one too, but the new login page (7 months old now) is;
http://www.linkshare.co.uk/ukloginbutton
Thanks for this post. I didn’t know they had that many partners on their books. I will sign up when I get home tonight.
Nice site by the way