Types of Affiliates

Published : 28 Mar 2019   author : Indoleads Bot

How many Affiliate types are you familiar with? Let’s check it out together!

1.   Content sites Affiliates

Affiliates in this category run content sites (blogs, websites, portals) and monetize their sites’ traffic by sending users to advertisers’ pages via banners or text links. These sites can either be general interest sites, in which case they target high volumes of traffic, or niche content sites, in which case the traffic volume is not as high but the conversion rate (from visit to sale) is much higher, providing the selected Affiliate program is related to the content site.

2.   PPC Affiliates

PPC (pay-per-click model) Affiliates use their PPC advertising experience or knowledge in order to send users directly to advertisers’ websites (in other words they do not have their own websites), usually via Google Adwords, but also via Facebook and other search engines. They generally work on a CPA basis but sometimes require mixed commercial agreements.

3.   Email marketing Affiliates

These Affiliates own databases of user emails, to which they regularly send out targeted offers, suggestions and promotions. As with any communication via email, it is crucial that the respective regulation and best practice is followed, i.e. all emails have been collected legally and all users have proactively requested to receive emails from the Affiliate.

4.   Social media Affiliates

The rise of social media and community sites like Facebook and Twitter have led to the creation of a new type of Affiliates, who generate highly targeted posts on social networks, sponsored tweets etc. via his/her accounts on social media websites. Affiliates in this category don’t rely on their sites’ users, but on their circle of friends, followers, members of various social media accounts like Facebook Pages, Twitter accounts, boards on Pinterest etc.

5.   Shopping services Affiliates

Affiliates in this category include websites that have been created in order to offer a specific service designed to help and promoted online purchases. Some of this category’s sites are the following:

  • Comparison shopping sites a.k.a. shopbots

The websites that shoppers use to filter and compare products. They display the price of almost any product from various online retailers, making it easy for buyers to see which stores offer the best prices. Providing a compelling offer, comparison websites can generate large sales volumes.

  • Cashback websites

These websites return a certain amount of money to users who followed the Affiliate links on the website to purchase something. Thus, they profit solely by finding partners who are willing to put their links on the website. Such websites usually occupy one particular niche.

  • Coupon websites

Such websites offer their users special discount codes, provided by eCommerce websites. In exchange for users’ purchases, coupon websites get a reward. Coupon websites can be dedicated to a certain topic: coupons for travelling, hotel bookings, flight tickets, etc.

  • Review websites

These are designed to provide users with reviews from products, serving as a helpful guide and influencing customers purchasing decision. Usually such websites are focused on some particular niches, such as for example, gadgets, toys, pet stuff etc.

Each Affiliate type above plays a different role in terms of value, volume and reach. By understanding the categories of Affiliates and their working models, Advertisers will have the knowledge of who is best positioned to deliver the best results to promote particular products or services. Here at Indoleads we can provide all types of affiliates to our Advertisers, as well as we certainly welcome different types of Affiliates to join our Network.  

What type of Affiliate are you? Tell us in the comments below!

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