Amazon has always played a very important role in affiliate marketing in Germany. Therefore, I would like to introduce you to the Amazon Special case: Amazon Partnernet . It’s not a network, however, but rather an affiliate program for Amazon products .
The Partnernet was launched in 1996 and is therefore not only one of the largest affiliate programs in the world, but also one of the oldest.
Before you decide on a network and invest time, effort, and perhaps even money in getting started, you should get an overview. There are phone number list a few criteria you should pay particular attention to when choosing your preferred affiliate platform.
Many publishers and lucrative programs
Even if everything else fits: Depending on your objectives , many highly specialized networks are too small for your purposes.
As a merchant , it’s important to have a large number of potential partners with high-quality content. Publishers should cover a wide range of interesting topics and formats. A large number of affiliates is especially important result analysis: data speaks for continuous optimization for providers of specific niche products, as they otherwise struggle to find suitable partners.
From a publisher’s perspective, the selection of lucrative affiliate programs and products can never be large enough. My tip for you as a website operator, blogger, etc.: Check the variety in your own category before making your selection .
Seriousness
Every industry has its share of bad apples. As intermediaries, networks bear a great responsibility. An important indicator of a network’s reliability is how it handles irregularities and suspected fraud . You should take a close look at providers who have only been in business for a short time.
But it is also worth taking a closer look at current forum posts and reviews of the market leaders, for example at Affiliatefix or on social media.
Transparency and trust
A clear fee and commission model without hidden costs is a cornerstone for a long-term, trusting relationship. Merchants and publishers must understand exactly what requirements must be met for commission payments, how these are tracked and measured, and the detailed design of the compensation models.
Quality of reporting
Affiliate marketing, too, is indispensable without key performance indicators and KPIs. It is the network’s responsibility to provide its participants with this data in a well-prepared format : straightforward, complete, clear, and customizable.
User-friendliness of the platform
Anyone who makes affiliate marketing a core part of their strategy will spend a lot of time familiarizing themselves with the platform’s features. The user experience when using the backend is therefore a very important factor when selecting an affiliate network.
Good design demonstrates a high level of commitment – this is also emphasized by my colleague Justin Pohl, who examined the platforms with me: “A clear, stylish platform that offers the right tools in the right places is a sure sign that there is substance behind the provider’s promises.”
What role do affiliate networks play in Germany?
Affiliate marketing is an advertising channel with unique advantages for online retailers of all sizes . Retailers and online marketers in Germany have long since discovered its benefits. According to German Digital Advertising Latecast, one in ten euros in online retail is generated through affiliate marketing.
And the trend is increasing: According to the Affiliate Trend Report 2024, around eight out of ten managers expect increasing sales in business sale lead 2024 , and around 75 percent see affiliate marketing as an important or very important marketing channel .
Many regional and international affiliate networks offer a wide range of programs that are interesting for German-speaking customers. I believe this is a very interesting opportunity for influencers, bloggers, YouTubers, content creators, and other publishers from the DACH region to generate additional income through their own reach .
An affiliate network allows both affiliate partners to collaborate without requiring extensive technical expertise . It manages all aspects of the affiliate partnership: from tracking and verifying whether commission payout conditions have been met to billing merchants and publishers.
Many advertisers register their affiliate programs on multiple platforms . It is less common for very large merchants to operate their programs directly without an intermediary network.