New forum

IanSmithISA · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-09, 08:44 AM

Good morning

What's the feeling out there for a new forum/directory where people who host web sites with Web Hosting UK and have affiliate schemes can list and discuss them.

My thinking on this is that unless you expect a lot of affiliate led business the cost of using one of the established networks is quite high,I have been quoted £500 plus per month just to run the scheme plus a couple of % per transaction for the network, this doesn't leave much scope for offering the poor affiliate a decent commission.

My planned scheme would offer very roughly £6 per month for as long as the referred Issuer is paying for the service. I haven't fully implemented it yet, because there is no point until I know that I am going to have an the affiliate scheme, but there is only a few days work once I have resolved the tracking issue discussed in another thread.

As affiliates would be dealing with the web site owner rather than a management company, there is more scope for gentlemanly behaviour; "you can't prove that this guy signed up because of you, but as it is likely I will credit you with the account".

The plus for Web Hosting UK is that the more traffic our sites get, the more likely we are to need to upgrade to more expensive hosting packages.

Bye

Ian

**Administrator** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-09, 02:25 PM

Hi Ian, I had similar plan to start a Directory where we can allow our customers to get listed for free and those who are not hosted with us will need to pay for the listing. We can also integrate reviews and comments option with the listing so that people can discuss and leave their feedback below your listing. Please let me know if your concept is different from what I have mentioned here.

IanSmithISA · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-09, 03:36 PM

Good afternoon,

Generally I see it the same was as you do, I get annoyed when a forum is used to advertise a business inappropriately, but have no problem if I go to something labelled Advertising and get adverts.

I am aware of the Online Business board, but I was confused about its purpose. So a board that is totally upfront and clear, "This is site owners offering affiliate services, in effect selling something, come here if you want to" is not going to be subject to complaints of inappropriate content.

and those who are not hosted with us will need to pay
The problem with having non customers is that the board can easily get flooded with complaints about XYZ Company hosted by XYZ Internet.

It would be a even more of a disaster if the existing affiliate marketing networks decided to flood your board with all their existing schemes. For example there is a major supermarket that has a financial services affiliate scheme and paying for your best directory entry swamping me would be inconsequential to them.

I can appreciate that initially it might be quite a small directory, however WHUK runs an affiliate program for itself and there may be an opportunity to offer the service on terms more appropriate to smaller sites than the big players. I wasn't joking when I said £500 per month management fees in my original post.

If WHUK could build a good affiliate network that would be a good reason for many smaller business to host here, "come here and we will double your online sales."

We can also integrate reviews and comments options...
That's great affiliate marketing should be a win for the Merchant and the Affiliate and as the point of affiliate marketing is to get people all over the country advertising your product, recommendations will help, complaints not but......

Bye

Ian