I'm starting to work on a module for my site that accesses amazon.com's web services for selling books. I run devmanagers.com, which is a blog of sorts for software development managers.
I'm hoping to make a modest amount of money on the site over time to pay for hosting, etc. (not to live on)
So anyways, I started on this module that would show categories from amazon.com and allow people to purchase books from Amazon, and for that, I earn 5%-15%.
I showed my work in progress to a friend and they told me I'd never make a dime off of selling books or other affiliate programs.
Has anyone had any sucess with these sorts of things?
Amazon is also offering a $20 referral for people signing up and being approved for a capital one credit card. This is offered as a banner.
Any thoughts on this?
Lastly, are there other programs that are worthwhile? I'm currently looking at cafepress, for doing some t-shirts..
The Webmistress posted this at 07:56 — 3rd April 2003.
She has: 5,587 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
We use affiliate programs, including amazon.co.uk on our directory site. We have banners on there but the sites are in appropriate categories as text links which get hit more than the banners by a long way. We make a decent amount each month (the same as my brother-in-law gets paid from his crappy job) so it is possible. A lot of it depends on what people find your site for and whether the amazon links are revelant to them.
Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....
Jimmy Changa posted this at 15:09 — 3rd April 2003.
They have: 220 posts
Joined: Mar 2003
Right, it's all about relevance. Also, if your site appeals to an audience that 1) owns credit cards, and 2) uses them online. Amazon's program is good, but you still have to "sell" to your audience.
I kinda like Commission Junction (cj.com) too....they have a good variety of programs and a user-freindly interface.
It took me a while to realize why the links on my sites serving a particular chat community didn't draw any income. People who chat only like free stuff. lol
PlanetBurrito.com
CakeForum.com : Cake Lyrics and Discussions
UnusedDotcoms.com : Domains For Sale
justjeni posted this at 22:43 — 26th April 2003.
They have: 59 posts
Joined: Apr 2003
I have better luck with Barnes and Noble - I did Amazon for a little over a year and then the money I did earn, when I canceled my account, they refused to pay me for, using the excuse that my last check didn't equal their pay out amount. Well, heck, I quit them and wasn't going to hit their pay-out amount! I thought the least they could have done was send me what I had coming. I didn't care for that too much, but tons of people use them, so...? That's just my experience, and I use Barnes and Noble for the same type of products -some exactly the same, in fact and get more sales. I think it's because they offer free shipping and handling on two or more products - people go for one product and grab another for the free s&h and I wind up with more commission.
Just my 2-cents!
Fitness and Freebies
openmind posted this at 14:51 — 27th April 2003.
He has: 945 posts
Joined: Aug 2001
Amazon didn't work for me at all. Over a year and zip earnings.
On the flip side (no pun
) Template Monster has one of the best programs I've seen for a whil. I've been running it less than two months and made over $400 so far!!!
Like the above, any affiliate program has to be relevant...
justjeni posted this at 23:42 — 27th April 2003.
They have: 59 posts
Joined: Apr 2003
I've heard/read good things about their program elsewhere - for over a year now! Glad to hear you're having good luck with it. Wish my sites were relevant..lol.
Fitness and Freebies
davidjmedlock posted this at 16:03 — 8th May 2003.
They have: 6 posts
Joined: May 2003
I have recently set up an Amazon account for my Learn About Websites site (in sig.) to offer recommended books for people to read when they're in the process of developing and designing their sites. I think that if my site had more traffic, I would at least be making a little bit on it. (It's a fairly new site, about a month and a half old and I'm only getting around 150-180 hits/month on it.)
I do know of people who make exceptional amounts from Amazon's program, though. (One I know of makes five figures a month from all his affiliate programs together, incl. Amazon.)
Dave M.
Learn About Websites - http://websites.electrabyte.net
Auction Photo Hosting - http://www.ezauctioncenter.com
justjeni posted this at 23:26 — 8th May 2003.
They have: 59 posts
Joined: Apr 2003
I suppose a lot depends on how aggressively you promote their products and if you use direct links to relevant products, etc. I still prefer Barnes and Noble over Amazon and am having better luck with them, but there are so many factors that can make one's experience different than anothers.
Fitness and Freebies
adhook01 posted this at 23:26 — 18th May 2003.
They have: 14 posts
Joined: May 2003
We find that people who do well with amazon.com and similar percentage programs are those who have an older target audience (40+ usually) and use computers a lot. EDIT: I meant that website with younger audiences tend to do better with "other" affiliate programs... but it is still possible to make some money.
Alternatively, you need a community that understands you get a commission if they use the link. Generally tech-savy communities or website that deal with fans (such as a gaming website for Asheron's Call, and there is an expansion pack released could make hundreds on preorders, Harry Potter order on a fan page etc.).
Still, it can't hurt to put a small logo on your website. Try to personally recommend certain books instead of just posting banners though.
One other quick tip for you, Sign up for the European Amazon.co.uk affiliate program as well as the Canadian one. If you have the ability to geo target, be sure to do so.
Daniel
AdHook