CommissionJunction: Build site first, apply later?

brandonbaker

brandonbaker

Member
Jan 10, 2011
576
3
18
New York City
I've dabbled with Clickbank and have found it to be exceedingly easy to get started, but I'm realizing that CommissionJunction is a bit more complicated.

I've found 3 services that I want to become an affiliate for, and I bought EMDs for all 3. The sites are currently empty and it will take me loads of $$$ and time to build them up before they can 'show their face' so to speak.

Do I:

1) Build sites from scratch (custom web design, high quality content)
2) Apply to become an affiliate

or

1) Apply to become an affiliate with an unrelated, high quality site that I already own
2) Once approved, build a new site to place my aff links on

I've never worked with CJ before, so any advice for a newbie would be much appreciated.

Brandon
 


Depends.

Some programs in CJ require manual approval, so you would need a semi-relevant site to get in.

Others are totally auto-approve, so as long as you're in CJ, you'll be accepted.

I'd say get your sites online first then apply. Given that you mentioned that they're EMDs, I'm guessing natural search will be the main traffic driver here - so it's not like you're going to miss sales in the first 48 hours you've got the site online anyway.
 
ShareASale is pretty good too. I have heard a lot better things about SAS than CJ from other peoples experiences
 
1. Build the site, featuring their products.
2. Use normal links in place of your affiliate links.
3. Add your new site to your CJ Account/Profile.
4. Apply for the CJ affiliate program you want to promote.
5. ????
6. Profit.
 
CJ is a fucking mess but don't let it discourage you. I've got one site that relies pretty heavily on CJ for monetization and I'm constantly having offers that are pulled by the advertiser (with literally no notice before during or after it's happened) and just general bull shit fuckery. Just a heads up.

Why not build out a price comparison site that compares prices on whatever the person searches for that way you can apply to any and all offers and use your legit looking comparison engine as your lander and get approved on whatever you want. Just an idea (that works).
 
I used Commission Junction once upon a time. All I did was show them a website that I'd made, one that was unrelated to any affiliate offers I had an interest in. They approved me no problem, and this was when I had just learned to develop websites and had nothing especially impressive.

If you have a good looking website, they should let you right in. It wouldn't make sense for them to make you build a website and purchase hosting just for a "maybe" on a particular offer. I figure they'll let you in if you show that you're an upstanding kind of webmaster, or at least so long as your website makes you appear as such.
 
Also remember that it's not CJ approving you for each Advertiser once you set up your account. It depends on if the merchant account is run in-house full service, or if it's self serve run by the advertiser or a 3rd party agency.

I would either build out your site to include as your main link, or make a webpage giving a brief description of how you will be marketing the products, and once you have your site up and running, include a link to it on that page. You can also include links to your other sites to show them what you are capable of too.
 
re: your emds - those keywords related to the services? Just making sure you're not sticking the brand name in there because CJ merchs don't go for that.

re: your strategy - you don't necessarily need to have a site built out if you can get make personal contact w/ the AM. I usually tell them I'm testing with some search or self-serve media buys and that I'll build out a site later if it pans out. They'll approve you 95% of the time in my experience if not higher - and for those that don't, then just build out the site if it's worth it to you.

Really though, you should have multiple merchants available for a site so you're not holding up development based on one offer panning out. Even if they do come around, if that offer pauses, then you're scrambling to monetize.

re: Cheshire's idea - Twist that just a bit and you've got something even better. Use their competitions' links instead of theirs and tell them you've heard great things about their service and want to do right by your visitors by offering them the best option on the market. The AM usually can't resist the thought of poaching sales from a competitor. No real incentive for them to approve you if you're already promoting them for free (yes, I realize the AM would typically understand what you're doing, but if you've talked to some of the in-house AMs for CJ merchs...)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom