An affiliate network is an organisation that handles an affiliate programme on behalf of a number of merchants. They will track the commission due and pay out to the affiliate, minus a commission of their own. The advantage for the merchant is that they do not have to administer the programme themselves, which can be time-consuming and reduces the cost-effectiveness of the initiative. There are a number of networks in operation. Please use the following guide of the main networks to select the best one/s for you.
Advertising.com
Rating: 6/10
Established network, with a range of quality merchants offering short-term promotions.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£30
No
1
Affiliate Window
Rating: 8/10
The largest UK network. Good site, easy to use, speed has improved since a rebuild. Good range of merchants, including some top names. Check out their Shop Window system, which makes product integration a simple task.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£25
Varies
893
Affiliate-Advantage
Rating: 4/10
Few merchants at present, but worth keeping an eye on!
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£50
No
54
AffiliateFuture
Rating: 8/10
Established network, with a good selection and mix of merchants.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£20
5%
322
Affilinet
Rating: 6/10
New and promising network, with good layout and growing range of merchants.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£30
No
45
Afform
Rating: 5/10
Fair selection of merchants from this growing network. High threshold.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£100
No
25
Aflite
Rating: 4/10
New network with few merchants at present
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£0
£7.50
5
Buy.at
Rating: 7/10
Reasonably new and rapidly expanding network. Can also be used to raise money for charity.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£1 per genuine cause
No
158
Cleafs
Rating: 5/10
Dutch network, but with some programmes appealing to UK consumers.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
€50
No
5
ClixGalore
Rating: 6/10
US-based network, but with a fair number of UK merchants. Not the quickest!
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£35
5%
176
Commission Junction
Rating: 6/10
Very comprehensive site, with a strong US flavour. Part of the ValueClick Group. There are a number of UK merchants, although these are not easily identifiable amongst the thousands of US programmes.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£25
No
169
cp:an
Rating: 5/10
New network - watch out for new merchants coming on board.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£50
£50
12
DGMPro
Rating: 7/10
Good site, quick and easy to use. Good range of merchants, including some top names.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£20
No
167
EuroAds
Rating: 4/10
New network, with few merchants at present
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£0
No
12
LinkShare
Rating: 7/10
UK-based site, with a number of quality UK merchants.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£0
£2
80
MoreNiche
Rating: 6/10
US network, wiith some good UK merchants. Reward points for performance, which can be redeemed for some great prizes.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£50
No
22
OMGUK
Rating: 7/10
New network, with a growing and impressive selection of primarily financial merchants.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£10 per referral
£10 per new affiliate
97
Paid on Results
Rating: 6/10
Promising new network. Growing selection of merchants.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£25
5%
161
Profitistic
Rating: 6/10
Relatively new network with a good selection of UK merchants
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
68
QwertyTrade
Rating: 3/10
Small network with mainly financial and insurance programmes.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£5
No
8
Silvertap
Rating: 5/10
Good selection of quality merchants
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£0
No
34
Smart-Quotes
Rating: 5/10
Mainly financial merchants, including some big names. Well designed site and some useful affiliate tools.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£100
No
53
Stream:20
Rating: 1/10
New network with few merchants at present.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£0
1
Trade Doubler
Rating: 9/10
TradeDoubler is the leading European provider of performance based marketing solutions and affiliate programmes. Their content generator was a first and a very welcome addition. Large selection of top name merchants.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£30
£2 per new affiliate
286
Trade Tracker
Rating: 5/10
Relatively new network with a growing number of merchants
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£25
5%
53
Webgains
Rating: 8/10
Established and easy-to-use network. Large selection of merchants.
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
£20
No
454
WY Media
Rating: 5/10
Global network, with several UK merchants
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
$50
No
7
Zanox
Rating: 5/10
German-based network, but with a small number of UK merchants. The site is easy to use once you get the hang of it!
Threshold
Second Tier
(Days)
Number of Merchants
Join
€25
£2 per new affiliate
66
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